WHY IS HE FAMOUS
Labeled as Hollywood's newest heartthrob after moving to the U.S. from his native Spain, Banderas pleased audiences in movies such as Desperado, Assassins and The Mask of Zorro. He also proved he could tackle drama with roles in Philadelphia, Evita andInterview with the Vampire. Of late, Antonio has reinvented himself after starring in the Spy Kids film series, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Original Sin.
Antonio Banderas Quote
This may sound a little harsh, but I don't care about my career. Really, I don't like actors who are always planning what they're going to do next or always worrying about doing something that will go against the image they've created. To me, that's almost like an attack of narcissism.
87 MAGNETISM
With his dark Spanish features and Casanova-like appeal, Banderas was an instant Hollywood heartthrob and the ladies still consider him a catch. We can't really blame them for swooning over Antonio, since he exudes chick magnet qualities: charm, confidence and charisma. Even as he reaches his mid-40s, Banderas still commands a huge following of women lusting for him.
82 SUCCESS
Antonio Banderas got his taste of the big time after famous Spanish director Pedro Almodvar cast him in films like La ley del deseo (Law of Desire) and Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). With the experience gained from such great appearances, Banderas moved to the United States to try his hand at Hollywood.
North American audiences first caught a glimpse of Banderas in Madonna's Truth or Dare, in 1991. The following year, he starred in The Mambo Kings, which was all the more impressive since he hadn't even learned English yet -- he memorized all his lines phonetically. Once his grasp of English improved, he was immediately a hot commodity, getting increasingly more onscreen time in 1993's Philadelphia, as Tom Hanks' lover, and 1994'sInterview with the Vampire.
Banderas' breakthrough came with the role of El Mariachi in 1995's Desperado, the Robert Rodriguez-directed action film. Following this big role, Antonio commanded attention and received another leading spot in Assassins, and then impressed many with his dramatic (and musical) part in 1996's Evita, working with Madonna once again.
He scored a big hit in 1998 as Zorro in The Mask of Zorro, and was able to survive such subsequent busts as The 13th Warrior, Play It to the Bone and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Banderas got it on with Angelina Jolie in 2001's Original Sin and continued to make us jealous by sharing the screen with Rebecca Romijn-Stamosin 2003's Femme Fatale.
Banderas ventured into family films with the successful Spy Kidstrilogy, and earned critical praise with noteworthy roles in Fridaand the HBO movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. Keep your eye (and ears) open for Banderas, as he stars in Shrek 2 in the summer of 2004 and Zorro 2 in 2005. Of course, when not working, Antonio relaxes at his homes in Spain, Los Angeles and Aspen with wife Melanie Griffith, stepchildren Alexander and Dakota, and daughter Stella.
North American audiences first caught a glimpse of Banderas in Madonna's Truth or Dare, in 1991. The following year, he starred in The Mambo Kings, which was all the more impressive since he hadn't even learned English yet -- he memorized all his lines phonetically. Once his grasp of English improved, he was immediately a hot commodity, getting increasingly more onscreen time in 1993's Philadelphia, as Tom Hanks' lover, and 1994'sInterview with the Vampire.
Banderas' breakthrough came with the role of El Mariachi in 1995's Desperado, the Robert Rodriguez-directed action film. Following this big role, Antonio commanded attention and received another leading spot in Assassins, and then impressed many with his dramatic (and musical) part in 1996's Evita, working with Madonna once again.
He scored a big hit in 1998 as Zorro in The Mask of Zorro, and was able to survive such subsequent busts as The 13th Warrior, Play It to the Bone and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Banderas got it on with Angelina Jolie in 2001's Original Sin and continued to make us jealous by sharing the screen with Rebecca Romijn-Stamosin 2003's Femme Fatale.
Banderas ventured into family films with the successful Spy Kidstrilogy, and earned critical praise with noteworthy roles in Fridaand the HBO movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. Keep your eye (and ears) open for Banderas, as he stars in Shrek 2 in the summer of 2004 and Zorro 2 in 2005. Of course, when not working, Antonio relaxes at his homes in Spain, Los Angeles and Aspen with wife Melanie Griffith, stepchildren Alexander and Dakota, and daughter Stella.
ANTONIO BANDERASBIOGRAPHY
A native of Malaga, Spain (birthplace of Pablo Picasso), Jose Antonio Dominguez Bandera (it was originally spelt without an "s") was born on October 10th, 1960. Antonio, as he was known, had dreams of being a great soccer player and his father, a policeman, and mother, a teacher, encouraged him to train hard. Unfortunately for soccer fans but fortunately for Hollywood, Banderas broke his foot when he was 14 and was unable to play again.
antonio in theater
Healing from the injury, Antonio discovered a new love: acting. He enrolled at a drama school and eventually joined a theater troupe that toured all over Spain. This hard work culminated in an invitation to star with the country's top actors in the National Theatre of Spain.
pedro almodovar makes banderas a star
During one of his many performances with the National group, Banderas attracted the attention of director Pedro Almodovar. The budding director convinced Antonio to be part of his next workLaberinto de pasione (Labyrinth of Passion). After doing his first movie, Banderas realized that theater needed to take a backseat so that he could work on his film career. He appeared in four more Almodovar movies, most notably 1988's Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). It was during this time that he met Ana Leze, a fellow thespian. They married in 1988, as ...Nervous Breakdown was reaching its peak in popularity.
antonio plays truth or dare
Three years later, he had had enough of the Spanish film scene and moved to the U.S. to try and find work in Hollywood. His first North American film appearance came in Truth or Dare, where he played the object of Madonna's advances. But Banderas is better remembered for his role in The Mambo Kings in 1992; for the part, he had to memorize his lines phonetically since he still spoke little English.
banderas in philadelphia and desperado
Trying not to be typecast as the token Latin heartthrob, Banderas got a boost after Philadelphia -- in which he had a small part asTom Hanks' lover -- became a blockbuster. In the following three years, he would go from little-known go-getter to big-time Hollywood star: he was cast in leading roles in Desperado andAssassins, two hit action movies that followed a solid performance in Interview with the Vampire, co-starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
antonio banderas and melanie griffith
With this newfound fame, audiences began recognizing Banderas as the new hunk in town. He was included in Empire's 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History and was then chosen as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine. In 1996, he divorced Ana Leza and that same year, met Melanie Griffith on the set of the bomb, Two Much. In May 1996, Griffith and Banderas tied the knot.
banderas slays as zorro
Antonio's stock continued to rise after he went against convention and played Che in the movie musical Evita, which famously starred Madonna in the title role. He returned to his action roots in The Mask of Zorro in 1998 but then experienced some low points with the unsuccessful flicks The 13th Warrior and Play It to the Bone. Still, Banderas remained a hot commodity and proceeded to steam up the screen alongside Angelina Jolie in 2001's Original Sin.
banderas enjoys hit films
That same year, he returned to work for Robert Rodriguez, who directed Desperado, for the highly successful Spy Kids trilogy. Banderas then returned to a more adult role in the Brian De Palma thriller Femme Fatale, with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. In 2003, Antonio and Salma Hayek returned to work with Rodriguez for theDesperado sequel, Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
antonio banderas in shrek and zorro sequels
During these frenetic couple of years, Banderas found time to star as the title character in HBO's And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself and received a Golden Globe nomination for his efforts. After filming Frida and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, Banderas took a short break to spend time with his wife, daughter Stella, and stepchildren Alexander and Dakota. Together, they split time between their houses in Los Angeles, Aspen and Marbella, Spain.
In 2004, expect to hear Banderas as "Puss-in-Boots" in Shrek 2. 2005 should be another productive year for him as well, with Zorro 2 expected for release.
antonio in theater
Healing from the injury, Antonio discovered a new love: acting. He enrolled at a drama school and eventually joined a theater troupe that toured all over Spain. This hard work culminated in an invitation to star with the country's top actors in the National Theatre of Spain.
pedro almodovar makes banderas a star
During one of his many performances with the National group, Banderas attracted the attention of director Pedro Almodovar. The budding director convinced Antonio to be part of his next workLaberinto de pasione (Labyrinth of Passion). After doing his first movie, Banderas realized that theater needed to take a backseat so that he could work on his film career. He appeared in four more Almodovar movies, most notably 1988's Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). It was during this time that he met Ana Leze, a fellow thespian. They married in 1988, as ...Nervous Breakdown was reaching its peak in popularity.
antonio plays truth or dare
Three years later, he had had enough of the Spanish film scene and moved to the U.S. to try and find work in Hollywood. His first North American film appearance came in Truth or Dare, where he played the object of Madonna's advances. But Banderas is better remembered for his role in The Mambo Kings in 1992; for the part, he had to memorize his lines phonetically since he still spoke little English.
banderas in philadelphia and desperado
Trying not to be typecast as the token Latin heartthrob, Banderas got a boost after Philadelphia -- in which he had a small part asTom Hanks' lover -- became a blockbuster. In the following three years, he would go from little-known go-getter to big-time Hollywood star: he was cast in leading roles in Desperado andAssassins, two hit action movies that followed a solid performance in Interview with the Vampire, co-starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
antonio banderas and melanie griffith
With this newfound fame, audiences began recognizing Banderas as the new hunk in town. He was included in Empire's 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History and was then chosen as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine. In 1996, he divorced Ana Leza and that same year, met Melanie Griffith on the set of the bomb, Two Much. In May 1996, Griffith and Banderas tied the knot.
banderas slays as zorro
Antonio's stock continued to rise after he went against convention and played Che in the movie musical Evita, which famously starred Madonna in the title role. He returned to his action roots in The Mask of Zorro in 1998 but then experienced some low points with the unsuccessful flicks The 13th Warrior and Play It to the Bone. Still, Banderas remained a hot commodity and proceeded to steam up the screen alongside Angelina Jolie in 2001's Original Sin.
banderas enjoys hit films
That same year, he returned to work for Robert Rodriguez, who directed Desperado, for the highly successful Spy Kids trilogy. Banderas then returned to a more adult role in the Brian De Palma thriller Femme Fatale, with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. In 2003, Antonio and Salma Hayek returned to work with Rodriguez for theDesperado sequel, Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
antonio banderas in shrek and zorro sequels
During these frenetic couple of years, Banderas found time to star as the title character in HBO's And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself and received a Golden Globe nomination for his efforts. After filming Frida and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, Banderas took a short break to spend time with his wife, daughter Stella, and stepchildren Alexander and Dakota. Together, they split time between their houses in Los Angeles, Aspen and Marbella, Spain.
In 2004, expect to hear Banderas as "Puss-in-Boots" in Shrek 2. 2005 should be another productive year for him as well, with Zorro 2 expected for release.
