Antonio Banderas is a movie actor, producer , director and a singer from Spain.
Early life
He was born on 10 August 1960, in Malaga in Spain.
In his early school days he showed a great interest in sports ( football) which ended in his teenage ages when he broke his leg.
He was also very interested in performing arts what eventually led him to a place within the Spanish National Theatre.
Career
He was spotted in theatre by Pedro Almodavar, a famous spanish director, who gave him a role in his debut „Labyrinth of Passion“ in 1982.
After acting in Almodavar’s „Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown“, he became worldwide famous.
His career breaking role was in Almodavar’s „Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!“so we can say with certainty that his career was launched thanks to Pedro Almodavar.
In 1991. he acted in Madonnas music video and discovered Hollywood.
Struggling with his poor English he still made a great performance in 1992. in the movie „Mambo Kings“,a musical drama with Armand Assante and Cathy Moriarty in leading roles.
In 1993. he became world famous for a role in the film „Philadelphia“ with Tom Hanks.
After that he became a wanted actor: „Intervju with a Vampire“ , „Desperado“, „Assasins“ followed.
As a legendary Zorro in the movie „ Zorro“ and as a Muslim in the „ 13th Warrior“ he made great success and started showing up on billboards and in magazines.
He became known to children by appearing in a spy adventure comedy movie „ Spy kids“ in 2001.
In 2003. he returned to his loving music by playing in a Broadway musical hit „Nine“.
He lent his voice to „Puss in Boots“ in the Shrek franchise.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
In 2011. he made another film with Pedro Almodavar, a horror psychological thriller „The skin I live in“. This collaboration came 21 years after the last movie Banderas and Almodavar made.
Philantropic work
He and his wife won the Stella Adler Angel Award in 2002. for their help and dedication in charity work for children.
He launched a foundation „Tears and Favors“ to provide scholarships and aid to students at the University of Malaga in his home town.
He was included in political events in his country of birth and he supported Spanish socialists.
He is a member of a Roman Catholic brotherhood in Malaga in his home country Spain.
He financially helps both organization.
Personal life
He married a spanish actress Ana Leza in 1987. and they got separated in 1995. when he got involved in a relationship with Melanie Griffith.
He married her in 1996. and they were together for 19 years. Their marriage was turbulent and was loaded with jelaousy and blame.
They have a daughter Stella who acted in Banderas first film as a director called „Crazy in Alabama“ in 1999.
Quick summary:
Full name: Jose Antonio Dominguez Banderas
Date of Birth: 10 August 1960.
Birth place: Malaga, Spain
Age: 56
Height: 1,74 m
Weight: 70 kg
Net worth : $45 million
