José Antonio Domínguez Bandera, born on August 10, 1960, is a Spanish actor and filmmaker better known as Antonio Banderas. He is famous for his roles in many different types of movies and has won several awards, including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a Goya Award. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.
Banderas started his acting career in a small theater in Málaga, Spain, where director Pedro Almodóvar noticed him. Almodóvar gave him his first film role in the comedy “Labyrinth of Passion” in 1982. They continued to work together on many films, including “Matador,” “Law of Desire,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!,” “The Skin I Live In,” and “Pain and Glory.” For “Pain and Glory,” Banderas won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 1992, Banderas made his debut in American films with “The Mambo Kings.” He then starred in “Philadelphia,” “Interview with the Vampire,” “Assassins,” and “Evita.” He became widely known for playing Zorro in “The Mask of Zorro” and “The Legend of Zorro.” He also directed his first film, “Crazy in Alabama,” in 1999. Banderas frequently works with director Robert Rodriguez, starring in movies like “Desperado” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.” He also played roles in the “Spy Kids” series and voiced the character Puss in Boots in the “Shrek” films.
On stage, Banderas made his Broadway debut in “Nine” in 2003, for which he received a Tony Award nomination and won a Drama Desk Award. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Pancho Villa in the HBO film “And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself” and for playing Pablo Picasso in the series “Genius: Picasso.”
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera was born on August 10, 1960, in Málaga, Spain, to Civil Guard officer José Domínguez Prieto and schoolteacher Ana Bandera Gallego. He has a younger brother named Francisco. As a child, Banderas wanted to become a professional soccer player but had to give up this dream after breaking his foot at age 15. He then developed a strong interest in acting, joining the ARA Theatre-School and the College of Dramatic Art in Málaga. His performances in theater eventually led him to the Spanish National Theatre.
Banderas studied acting in Málaga and made his debut in a small theater. He became involved in Spain’s cultural movement, La Movida Madrileña. Director Pedro Almodóvar noticed him and cast him in “Labyrinth of Passion” (1982). They worked together on many films, including “Law of Desire,” “Matador,” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” which gained international acclaim.
Madonna introduced Banderas to Hollywood in 1991. Despite speaking little English, he starred in “The Mambo Kings” (1992), receiving critical praise. He gained mainstream success with “Philadelphia” (1993), “Interview with the Vampire” (1994), and “Desperado” (1995). He starred in “Evita” (1996), earning a Golden Globe nomination, and became famous for his role as Zorro in “The Mask of Zorro” (1998).
In 2001, Banderas starred in the “Spy Kids” series and made his Broadway debut in “Nine” (2003), earning several awards. He also played Pancho Villa in an HBO film and voiced Puss in Boots in the “Shrek” series. He directed his second film, “El camino de los ingleses,” in 2006.
Banderas reunited with Almodóvar for “The Skin I Live In” (2011) and starred in “Puss in Boots” (2011). He appeared in various films and TV shows, including “Genius: Picasso” (2018), for which he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In 2019, he starred in “Pain and Glory,” winning several awards and receiving an Academy Award nomination. He continues to act in films like “Uncharted” (2022) and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023).
Banderas is a longtime supporter of Málaga CF and participates in Holy Week processions in Málaga. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Málaga and Dickinson College. Banderas married Ana Leza in 1987 and divorced in 1996. He married actress Melanie Griffith in 1996, and they have a daughter, Stella. They divorced in 2015 but remain close friends. Banderas is currently dating Nicole Kimpel.
Banderas had surgery for a benign tumor in 2009 and a heart attack in 2017, which led to heart surgery. He considers the heart attack a life-changing event that gave him a new perspective.
Banderas has invested in Andalusian products, owns a winery in Spain, and has been successful in the perfume industry. He has promoted various fragrances and has been involved in advertising campaigns for Nasonex and Marks & Spencer.
Banderas has received numerous nominations and awards, including an Academy Award nomination for “Pain and Glory,” five Golden Globe nominations, and two Primetime Emmy nominations. He won a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award for his role in “Nine.” In 2019, he won several awards for “Pain and Glory,” including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor.