Luminita Gheorghiu studied Ion Cojar's acting method under Ion Cojar himself at what is now called the National University of Theatre and Film from Bucharest. She had played in tens of movies and theatre shows since her graduation in 1972, but her real international breakthrough came with a role in the critically acclaimed Moartea domnului Lazarescu (2005), for which she won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress. For her performance in Çocuk Pozu (2013), Luminita was nominated for Best Actress at the European Film Awards.