Antonio Banderas Biography And Net Worth

Who is Antonio Banderas?

José Antonio Domínguez Bandera known professionally as Antonio Banderas is a Spanish actor and director. Known for his work in films of several genres, he has received various accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a European Film Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards.

Bio Data

Biography

José Antonio Domínguez Bandera was born on 10 August 1960 in Málaga, to Civil Guard gendarme officer José Domínguez Prieto and schoolteacher Ana Bandera Gallego. He has a younger brother named Francisco. As a little boy, Banderas wanted to become a professional football player until a broken foot sidelined his dreams at the age of 15. He showed a strong interest in the performing arts and formed part of the ARA Theatre School run by Ángeles Rubio-Argüelles y Alessandri (wife of diplomat and filmmaker Edgar Neville) and the College of Dramatic Art, both in Málaga. His work in the theatre and his performances on the streets eventually landed him a spot with the Spanish National Theatre.

In 1979, at age 19, he moved to Madrid in pursuit of an acting career. Being a struggling young actor, he also worked as a waiter and took small modelling jobs. At that time, he joined the troupe at the National Theatre of Spain, becoming the youngest member of the company. Banderas’ stage performances caught the attention of movie director Pedro Almodóvar, who cast the young actor in his movie debut Labyrinth of Passion (1982). Banderas and Almodovar joined forces in making innovative and sexually provocative movies during the 1980s. In 1984, Banderas made headlines in Spain with his performance as a gay man, making his first male-to-male on-screen kiss in Almodovar’s Law of Desire (1987). Banderas’ long and fruitful collaboration with Pedro Almodóvar eventually prepared him for international recognition that came with his work in the Academy Award-nominated film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). In 1991, he appeared as an object of Madonna’s affection in Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991).

Career

Banderas made his film debut in Pedro Almodóvar’s screwball comedy Labyrinth of Passion (1982). They’ve since collaborated on many films including Matador (1986), Law of Desire (1987), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989), and The Skin I Live In (2011). For Almodóvar’s 2019 film Pain and Glory, Banderas earned various accolades in the Best Actor category including the Cannes Film Festival Award, Goya Award, and nominations from the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

In 1992, Banderas made his Hollywood debut with The Mambo Kings (1992). Because he did not speak English at that time, his dialogue for the movie was taught to him phonetically. Banderas shot to international fame with his sensitive performance as a lover of Tom Hanks’ AIDS-infected lawyer in Philadelphia (1993), then played opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994). Banderas further established himself as one of Hollywood’s leading men after co-starring in Evita (1996) opposite Madonna in the title role. In 1998, he won acclaim for his portrayal of Zorro, opposite Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, in The Mask of Zorro (1998). For the role of Zorro, Banderas took training with the Olympic national fencing team in Spain and practised his moves with real steel swords, then he used the lighter aluminium swords in the movie. He also took a month-long course of horse riding before the filming. He later returned to the role in The Legend of Zorro (2005). In 1999, Banderas made his directorial debut in Crazy in Alabama (1999), starring his ex-wife, Melanie Griffith. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros opposite Salma Hayek in Frida (2002). He voiced Puss in Boots in the Shrek franchise.

Net Worth

Banderas’ talent and hard work have earned him an impressive net worth of $60 million dollars. This fortune is a testament to his commitment to his craft and his capability to diversify into several regions of the entertainment industry, like directing and producing. Antonio Banderas stands out in the movie industry due to his great fortune and critical acclaim for his several roles.

Personal Life

Banderas married Ana Leza in 1986 or 1988 (sources differ) and divorced in 1996. He met and began a relationship with American actress Melanie Griffith in 1995 while shooting Two Much. They married on 14 May 1996 in London. They have a daughter, Stella del Carmen Banderas (born 24 September 1996), who appeared onscreen with Griffith in Banderas’ directorial debut Crazy in Alabama (1999). In 2002, the couple received the Stella Adler Angel Award for their extensive philanthropy. Griffith had a tattoo of Banderas’ name on her right arm that has since been removed.

In June 2014, Banderas and Griffith released a statement announcing their intention to divorce. The divorce became official in December 2015. Despite being divorced Banderas and Griffith remain close friends.

Banderas is currently dating Nicole Kimpel, a Dutch investment banker. They have made public appearances such as the 2015 AFI Fest, the 2019 Cannes International Film Festival, and the 2020 Academy Awards.

Outside of his acting profession, Banderas has been a passionate soccer fan and a staunch supporter of the Real Madrid Football Club. He shares time between his two residencies, one in the United States, and one in the South of Spain.

 FAQs

Is Antonio Banderas in a relationship?

Antonio Banderas started dating Nicole Kimpel shortly after his divorce.

How is Dakota Johnson related to Antonio Banderas?

Antonio Banderas was Dakota Johnson’s former stepfather while Antonio was still married to her mother, Melanie Griffith.

What makes Antonio Banderas so famous?

Antonio Banderas got famous for playing Zorro in the eponymous movie series.

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