Antonio Banderas Reflects on Moving Back to Spain and Career Insights

Antonio Banderas shared the reasons behind his decision to leave Los Angeles and return to his hometown in Spain. In an interview with People, the 65-year-old actor revealed he originally relocated to Los Angeles for Melanie Griffith. They fell in love, and she had two young children, making it difficult for her to move to Spain.

“Those were beautiful years, but I felt they wouldn’t last forever,” Banderas stated. “I knew Málaga was always my true home, not Malibu.” Griffith and Banderas got married in 1996, a year after meeting on the set of the film Two Much. They welcomed their daughter, Stella, in September 1996.

Banderas always felt he would eventually return to Spain.

The couple was married for 18 years before divorcing in 2014 due to irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in December 2015. Banderas mentioned that despite the separation, Griffith remains one of his best friends.

While married to Griffith, Banderas was stepfather to her children, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson. Speaking to E! News, he expressed his desire to work with Johnson, not only because of their family ties but also due to her talent as an actress.

“She’s a versatile actress,” he noted. “Though she’s pursuing drama, her comedic skills were evident in the show Ben and Kate.” Banderas is currently involved in the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony. His notable work in American cinema began with the film Philadelphia in 1993, leading to roles in movies like Desperado and The Mask of Zorro, with an Academy Award nomination for Pain and Glory in 2020.

In a The Times interview, Banderas reflected on being typecast in Hollywood due to his ethnicity, being told he’d only play villains. “Ironically, I became a hero with a mask, sword, and cape,” he said, referring to his role as Zorro. He also highlighted Puss in Boots, a movie that portrays a positive Hispanic character for children.

Lori A. Bashian, a writer at Fox News Digital, covers entertainment news and contributed to this report.