Antonio Banderas on Moving from LA Back to Spain and His Career Reflections

Antonio Banderas recently shared his reasons for leaving Los Angeles and returning to his hometown of Málaga, Spain. During an interview with People, the 65-year-old actor explained his move to LA was initially to be with Melanie Griffith. At the time, Griffith had two young children and could not relocate to Spain.

Life in Los Angeles

Banderas described the years in Los Angeles as beautiful and filled with spontaneous experiences. However, he felt they were temporary. He always sensed he belonged in Málaga rather than Malibu. In 1996, Banderas and Griffith married after meeting on the set of the 1995 film “Two Much.” Shortly after their marriage, they welcomed their daughter, Stella, in September 1996. Despite his move to Los Angeles, Banderas always intended to return to Spain.

Divorce and Friendship

Griffith and Banderas were married for 18 years before Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014 due to irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in December 2015. Banderas emphasized their honesty during their separation, noting that Griffith remains a close friend.

In addition to their daughter, Banderas was a stepfather to Griffith’s two children, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson. He expressed a desire to work professionally with Johnson, acknowledging her talent and recalling her comedic timing in the TV show “Ben and Kate.”

Career Reflections

Banderas currently stars in the Anthony Bourdain biopic “Tony.” He first gained prominence in American cinema with the 1993 film “Philadelphia.” His career includes roles in “Interview with the Vampire,” “Desperado,” “The Mask of Zorro,” and “Pain and Glory,” the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination in 2020.

During a March interview with The Times, Banderas reflected on the stereotypes he faced early in Hollywood. He recounted being told he would only play villains. He noted that roles like Zorro and Puss in Boots challenged these stereotypes, showing him as a hero, with “Puss in Boots” being especially significant for young audiences.

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