Antonio Banderas

August 10, 2012

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On this date in 1960, international film star Antonio Banderas (birth name Jose Antonio Dominguez Banderas) was born in Malaga, Spain. His father was a police officer and his mother was a school teacher. Banderas landed his first film acting gig after Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar noticed his performances in small Spanish theatrical productions. Almodóvar cast Banderas first in “Labyrinth of Passion” (1982), then in “Law of Desire” (1987), “Matador” (1986), “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” (1988) and “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” (1990). American audiences were introduced to him in “The Mambo Kings” (1992), “Philadelphia” (1993) and “Interview with the Vampire” (1994). He gave memorable performances in “Desperado” (1995), “Assassins” (1995), “Evita” (1996), “The Mask of Zorro” (1998), “The Legend of Zorro” (2005) and “Take the Lead” (2006). He acted with Angelina Jolie in “Original Sin” (2001), with Salma Hayek in “Frida” (2002), and in “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” (2003) with Johnny Depp and Hayek. He provided the voice of the lovable Puss in Boots character in “Shrek 2” (2004), “Shrek the Third” (2007), “Shrek Forever After” (2010) and “Puss in Boots” (2011). He has also performed on Broadway and has directed several films. Banderas is married to American actress Melanie Griffith, with whom he has one daughter and two step-children. Banderas calls himself an agnostic (“Antonio Banderas Puts on His Dancing Shoes,” People Magazine, April 8, 2006).

People Magazine: Are you religious?

Banderas: I have to recognize that I am agnostic. I don’t believe in any kind of fundamentalism. I prefer to take life in a different way, with a sense of humor. I try to teach my kids to be open. Whatever they believe is fine with me.

— Antonio Banderas in an interview, “Antonio Banderas Puts on His Dancing Shoes,” People Magazine, April 8, 2006 

Compiled by Bonnie Gutsch (FFRF)