Antonio Banderas on Moving Back to Spain and His Acting Journey

Antonio Banderas recently shared his reasons for leaving Los Angeles to return to his hometown in Spain. In an interview with People, Banderas, 65, revealed that he initially moved to Los Angeles to be with Melanie Griffith, after they fell in love. Griffith had two young children and couldn’t relocate to Spain.

‘Those were beautiful years,’ Banderas noted, ‘but I always felt it couldn’t last a lifetime. Málaga, my hometown, was always in my mind. Malibu never felt permanent.’

Banderas and Griffith married in 1996, the year after connecting during the filming of ‘Two Much.’ They welcomed their daughter, Stella, in September 1996.

The marriage lasted 18 years until Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014 due to irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in December 2015. Banderas emphasized their ongoing friendship, describing Griffith as one of his best friends.

As a stepfather, Banderas helped raise Griffith’s children, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson. In a 2025 interview with E! News, he expressed a desire to work with Johnson, appreciating her talent and potential in both comedy and drama.

Currently appearing in the Anthony Bourdain biopic ‘Tony,’ Banderas gained prominence in American cinema with films like ‘Philadelphia’ (1993), ‘Interview with the Vampire,’ ‘Desperado,’ and ‘The Mask of Zorro.’ His role in ‘Pain and Glory’ in 2020 earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Reflecting on his Hollywood start, Banderas recounted being told he would only play villains, akin to the stereotype for Blacks and Hispanics at the time. However, his career evolved, with notable roles such as in ‘The Mask of Zorro’ and voicing ‘Puss in Boots,’ which portrayed a Spanish hero.

Banderas continues to influence audiences with his work, both in Hollywood and internationally.