Born as José Antonio Domínguez Banderas on August 10, 1960, he is one of the eminent Spanish faces known for his acting skills in many native and Hollywood movies. Leaving his soccer dream behind following a foot injury at the age of 14, Antonio joined drama classes at the School of Dramatic Art in Malaga which eventually brought him to the fore of theatre and drama.
Antonio got the opportunity to join the National Theatre of Spain after taking part as an amateur artist with a small theatre troupe that toured all over Spain. While performing with the theatre, director Pedro Almodóvar spotted and cast him in a series of movies which include the 1982 “Laberinto de Pasione” (Labyrinth of Passion) and the “La Ley del Deseo” (Law of Desire) in 1984.
After delivering some outstanding performances in Spanish films like “Matador” (1986), “Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios” (1988) and Atame! (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) in 1989, Banderas made his Hollywood debut in the year 1992 with “The Mambo Kings” .
He, however, gained much acclamation for his sensitive but sensational character portrayal as a gay lover of Tom Hanks’ AIDS-infected lawyer in “Philadelphia” (1993). The actor then associated with many other international projects such as the1995 action thriller “Desperado” alongside Salma Hayek, and co-starring in “Evita” opposite Madonna, and the “The Mask of Zorro” (1998).
In few years of his introduction to American film industry, Antonio Banderas established himself as a talented and frontline actor in Hollywood mainstream. He even went to producing and directing a film named “Crazy in Alabama” (1999) starring his wife, Melanie Griffith, albeit it was not that successful.
The other film which brought acknowledgment for him is the Salma Hayek starrer “Frida” (2002) in which Banderas played the role of a Mexican artist. In 2003, Antonio and Salma returned together with “Once Upon a Time in Mexico”.
Coming out from his comfort zone, Antonio’s acting talent and theatre background came into play in animated films like “Shrek2” and “Shrek the Third” where he entertained the children with his voice role for the cat ‘Puss in Boots’. Besides, he starred in many other movies: The Legend of Zorro, Take the Lead, Bordertown, etc.
The Latino star with his Casanova like appeal and charismatic look was chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by the People Magazine in 1996. He has also won many awards and recognitions for his acting, including three ALMA awards, Gabi award, along with three Golden Globe nominations, among many others.
