Antonio Banderas and his Málaga
“They (my parents) detected soon enough that I was in love with theater. I started going with them at age 10 to plays in Malaga.
When I decided to jump into acting at age 15, they stopped loving it, and started hating it.
They tried to stop me, but by then THEY COULD’NT STOP IT”.
And we owe a lot to his parents for allowing him to act in plays. Don’t we?
The charismatic, multi-faceted artist from Malaga with his unrivaled passion became a leading international star and the heartthrob of millions. Irresistibly authentic and attractive, Antonio Banderas is a king of seduction and a heart-stopping handsome movie star. Handsome and gifted, Banderas is one of cinema's most popular leading actors.
Antonio Banderas not only mesmerizes the world with his free-flowing exquisite dialogues but is also a fantastic photographer, film director, and fashion designer. His good looks and range of emotions that he displayed on the screen hypnotized movie lovers around the world.
On the word “ACTION”, Antonio Banderas starts weaving his magic with exquisite dialogues, gracious movements, seductive looks, and display of emotions that have enthralled the audience for a quarter-century. The greatest witness to his passion and art is none other than Pedro Almodovar, the most internationally acclaimed Spanish filmmaker. The duo has made eight magical movies together. Pain & Glory represents the high point of their collaboration.
His deft performances in varied roles made his name synonymous with the American entertainment industry. The multi-talented actor achieved formidable success in Hollywood. The darling of millions of English-speaking fans could hardly speak English when he entered the Hollywood show biz. The meteoric rise and stupendous of the beloved son of Malaga is a testimony to his hard work, dedication, and resolute belief in himself.
Antonio Banderas managed to leave his distinct marks through his acting that budding actors love to emulate. He is equally good in all kinds of movies, including action, drama, romance, and historic. He has the magical power to open films based on the strength of his name alone. Antonio Banderas has the amazing talent to blend in all types of characters. He is an institution and inspirational artist.
Childhood & Early Life
Born to a police officer and a school teacher in the beautiful city of Malaga, Banderas was attracted to football in his childhood. The broken foot became a blessing in disguise and brought him to the show biz. He later on rightly said,” I think the worst enemy for success is the anxiousness to get it.”
Deciding to focus on acting, one day with only £60 in his pocket, Antonio decided to head for Madrid. Later on, Banderas told that "The idea came in a flash, and the decision, like everything I've done in my life, was made in a matter of seconds,"
In Madrid he led a life starving artist, sleeping on friends' sofas but eventually, he joined the National Drama Centre. Then entered Pedro Almodovar and then the duo were unstoppable.
On seeing his performances, the legendary Pedro Almodovar took him under his wing and debuted him in “Laberinto de pasiones” in 1982. Thereafter Banderas appeared in many films of Almodovar.
Banderas and Almodovar made innovative and sexually provocative movies during the 1980s. Almodovar’s film “Law of Desire” made headlines in Spain win which Banderas performed as a gay man. His male-to-male kiss on-screen created ripples in Spain.
However, the most significant role came in ¡Atame! (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! ). It gave Banderas the solid platform to launch his international career.
1982 to 1990, Banderas primarily did films directed by Pedro Almodovar.
Antonio Banderas conquers Hollywood
In Hollywood, fame can be transient and a career with staying power is uncommon. Antonio Banderas has managed to sculpt the latter. He grew from a young heartthrob to, well, an older heartthrob.
Banderas made an international name with “The Mambo Kings”. Before “The Mambo Kings”, the sexy Spaniard had already made headlines with his appearance in “In Bed With Madonna.” Although he got famous by catching the eyes of Madonna it was Melanie Griffith who stole his heart.
Bandera’s success as an actor came with his role in ’Philadelphia” (1993). He drew raves for his performance in the Academy award-winning AIDS drama. Thereafter, in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), Banderas played opposite Tom Cruise.
“Desperado”, a 1995 action film, increased his popularity. In the musical drama “Evita” (1996), he starred as “Che” alongside Madonna and established himself as one of Hollywood’s leading stars.
The unique persona of Banderas and his sensitivity were showcased in the megahit “The Mask of Zorro” (1998). He worked opposite Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. For his portrayal of Zorro, Banderas practiced moves with real steel swords and took training with the Olympic national fencing team in Spain. Banderas later returned to do “The Legend of Zorro” (2005), however, the film did fare better.
Banderas received acclaim for his role in “Frida” (2002) in which he portrayed Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros. Banderas also performed the voice of Puss in Boots in the Shrek film series.
After a gap of two decades, Antonio Banderas reunited with Almodovar in 2011 for “The Skin I Live In”. Banderas got the best reviews of his career. It also led to the resurgence of the actor.
The highlights of the 2010s include “Haywire,” “I’m So Excited!,” and “Knight of Cups,”. The film “Genius” in which Banderas played Pablo Picasso earned him an Emmy nomination.
However, the 10’s decade ended with Banderas’s best performance in Almodovar’s “Pain & Glory”. The iconoclastic director, Almodovar, with whom Antonio Banderas has worked the most, brought the best from the Spaniard hero.
Awards
Banderas has received many award nominations throughout his career. Some of the awards that he won are:
· ‘Theatre World Award’ for “Best Actor for his role in the Broadway revival of ‘Nine’ in 2003. He also won the ‘Tony Award’ for ‘Best Performance by a leading actor in a musical.
· In 2003, he was nominated for an ‘Imagen Award,’ a ‘Primetime Emmy Award,’ and a ‘Golden Globe Award’ for ‘Best Actor’
· For his role in the TV film ‘And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself,’ Banderas was nominated for an “Imagen Award, a “Primetime Emmy Award and a “Golden Globe Award for “Best Actor”.
· He won ‘ALMA Award’ and the ‘European Film Award’ for directing ‘Crazy in Alabama.
· Banderas won the ‘Berlin International Film Festival Award’ for directing ‘Summer Rain,’
· He also received a “Screen Actors Guild Award” nomination for his performance as Pablo Picasso in Genius: Picasso.
· Banderas won the Best Actor award at the 2019 ‘Cannes Film Festival’ for his role in the Spanish film ‘Pain and Glory.’
Antonio Banderas is gifted with a host of talents which he has demonstrated over his career as a successful actor, director. and singer.
Business activities
Antonio Banderas works hard. He invests in products made in Spain. He owns half of Anta Banderas, the winery that produces red and rose wines every year.
Banderas says that he learned to be creative and ethical about business from perfumes. He is associated with Puig for over 20 years that sells perfumes in more than 90 countries. He is now designing watches, and glasses, and even studying fashion. Banderas says it keeps him young.
Personal Life & Legacy
The charismatic and undeniably talented, Banderas, one of cinema's greatest leading men married Ana Leza in July 1987. However, the couple separated in 1995. He married in 2015.
Antonio Banderas has a foundation called Lagrimas y Favores in Malaga. It does a lot of work in Easter Week celebrations. The foundation funds scholarships for kids, palliative care for terminal cancer patients, and a supermarket for families in need.
Banderas is a passionate soccer fan and a staunch supporter of the Real Madrid Football Club. He travels between the US and Malaga to spend quality time.
Antonio Banderas loves Malaga
When in Malaga, Banderas can be seen at El Pimpi restaurant, a famous meeting point for famous, enjoying local gastronomy. He relishes Paella, classic Spanish seafood, and rice dish. Other favorite dishes that he enjoys at El Pimpi are, Bull Balls Tomato salad, Iberian Ham Chestnut or Acorn Fed, Spiced Deboned Chicken Fillet and Salad in Malaga style (Ensalada Malagueña).
He started his career in a small theater. After having done more than 110 movies, his love for theater has grown even more. Antonio says, “Technological evolution cannot change theatre. It will always be the same,”
Banderas is proud of his roots. Banderas launched the inaugural production of the popular 1970s Broadway musical, A Chorus Line, in Malaga in 2019. It has a training scheme cooperatively with Malaga's School of Performing Arts (ESAEM). Once a cinema, Banderas has turned Teatro Del Soho, into a theatre.
Antonio loves Malaga. He has spent 26 years in Hollywood and is now tired of living abroad. He says, "I want to do things in my own city, live in my home, and only leave when they need me for work somewhere else,"
Whenever he comes to his hometown Malaga, Antonio loves to keep a low profile. From institutions to the common man, everybody wants to be with Antonio, the adorable son of Malaga.
Antonio Banderas is a humble man. After having established himself as an internationally known Latin heartthrob he still managed to stick to his roots. He says about himself that, “I am not that brilliant. You see, I'm not a star because I am not someone who is playing myself in front of the world. I am not criticizing being a movie star, but I think that to be a star requires you to be brilliant 24 hours a day. That is something that is not in me."
In 1996, Banderas was chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by the People magazine because he always believed that-