Antonio Banderas

Name: José Antonio Domínguez Bandera

Date of Birth: August 10, 1960

Place of Birth: Málaga, Spain

Height: 5' 9"

Gender: M

Nationality: Spanish

Profession: Actor, Director, Producer, Composer

Education: School of Dramatic Art in Málaga, Spain

Spouse: Ana Leza (married in 1988; divorced in 1996)

              Melanie Griffith (married in January 1996)

Short Biography:

Since his introduction to American cinema in the highly acclaimed “Mambo Kings,” ANTONIO BANDERAS has become one of the leading international actors of his generation. He has received critical praise for his performances in film, television and theater, as well as behind-the-scenes as a feature film director. In 2005, he was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His second directorial feature is the Spanish film “El Camino de los Ingleses” (titled “Summer Rain” in the U.S.).

A coming-of-age story, the film follows the first loves, lusts and obsessions of friends on vacation at the end of the 1970s. The film is being released by Sogepaq in Spain. He made his directorial debut with “Crazy in Alabama” starring his wife Melanie Griffith. Besides reprising his show-stealing role as Puss In Boots in “Shrek the Third,” this year Banderas will also be seen starring with Jennifer Lopez in Gregory Nava’s “Bordertown” and the romantic comedy “Homeland Security” opposite Meg Ryan.

In 2003, Banderas earned a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his Broadway debut in the Roundabout Theater Company production of “NINE,” a musical inspired by Fellini’s “8 ½.” He also received a Best Actor Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award and Theatre World Award. “NINE,” directed by David Leveaux, also starred Chita Rivera. Recent films include “Take the Lead,” in which he portrayed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine, and the long-awaited sequel “The Legend of Zorro” opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Banderas has worked in films by some of Hollywood’s best directors starring some of its finest actors. They include Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado” opposite Salma Hayek and Rodriguez’s “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” opposite Johnny Depp, Michael Cristofer’s “Original Sin” opposite Angelina Jolie, Alan Parker’s “Evita” opposite Madonna (for which he received his first Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), Martin Campbell’s “The Mask of Zorro” opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones (for which he received his second Best Actor Golden Globe nomination), Neil Jordan’s “Interview with the Vampire” with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” opposite Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, Bille August’s “House of the Spirits” with Meryl Streep and Glenn Close and Brian De Palma’s “Femme Fatale.”

Other film credits include the “Spy Kids” trilogy, “Miami Rhapsody,” “Four Rooms,” “Assassins,” “Never Talk to Strangers,” “Two Much,” “The 13th Warrior,” “Play It to the Bone” and “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever.”

He was nominated for his third Best Actor Golden Globe for his performance as the infamous Pancho Villa in HBO’s 2003 release of “And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself.”

Born in Malaga, Spain, Banderas attended the School of Dramatic Arts in his hometown and upon graduation, he began his acting career working in a small theater company based there. He later moved to Madrid and became an ensemble member of the prestigious National Theater of Spain. In 1982, Banderas was cast by writer/director Pedro Almodovar in “Labyrinth of Passion.” It was the first of five films Banderas would do with Almodovar, the others being “Matador,” “Law of Desire,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” and “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” The international success of these films introduced him to Hollywood.

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