Antonio Banderas

Actor

José Antonio Domínguez Banderalso known professionally as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish actor, film producer and director.

About

José Antonio Domínguez Bandera known professionally as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish actor, producer and director. He has received numerous awards, including a Cannes Best Actor Award and nominations for a Tony Award, an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.

Before Fame

Banderas started his acting studies at the School of Dramatic Art in Málaga, andMálagahis acting debut in a small theater in Málaga. He was arrested by the Spanish police for performance in a play by Bertolt Brecht, because of political censorship under the rule of General Francisco Franco. Banderas spent a whole night at the police station; he suffered three or four such arrests while working with a small theatre troupe that toured all over Spain and performed in small-town theaters and on the streets.

Trivia

In 1991, Madonna introduced Banderas in Hollywood. (He was an object of his wishes in his pseudo-documentary film from one of his concert tours, Madonna: Truth or Dare.) The following year, still speaking minimal English, he began acting in U.S.

Family Life

Banderas married Ana Leza in 1986 or 1988 (sources differ) and divorced in 1996. He met and began a relationship with actress Melanie Griffith in 1995 and got married on May 14, 1996 in London. They have a daughter, Stella del Carmen Banderas (born September 24, 1996), who appeared on screen with Griffith in the directorial debut of Banderas Crazy in Alabama (1999). In June 2014, Griffith and Banderas released a statement announcing their intention to divorce “in a loving and friendly manner.

Associated With

In June 2015, Banderas showed his support for Israel by participating in a fund-raising event organized by Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF), raising $ 31 million for Israeli soldiers.