Antonio Banderas, born in Málaga, Spain, didn’t exactly grow up dreaming of Hollywood. Actually, he was all about soccer—until he busted his foot at 14 and got sidelined for good. That’s when he caught the acting bug after seeing a wild production of "Hair." He jumped in with both feet, studying drama and performing in tiny theaters, sometimes landing in trouble with Franco’s regime for, you know, being a little too bold on stage. Arrests? Yeah, more than once. By 19, he was broke in Madrid, waiting tables and hustling for modeling gigs. He snagged a spot with Spain’s National Theatre and caught the eye of director Pedro Almodóvar, kicking off a wild run in provocative films through the ‘80s. His onscreen kiss with a man in "La ley del deseo" made waves, and his work with Almodóvar set him up for global fame. When Hollywood called, he barely spoke English, but that didn’t stop him. "The Mambo Kings" was his big American break, and soon he was starring alongside Tom Hanks in "Philadelphia," then slicing it up as Zorro. He trained hard for that—sword fighting, horse riding, the whole nine yards. Banderas kept the hits coming: "Evita," "Frida," voicing Puss in Boots, and directing his own movie with then-wife Melanie Griffith. People magazine even named him one of the world’s most beautiful people. Not bad for a kid from Málaga.
reference nAntonio Banderas was basically crushing on Melanie Griffith way before he ever even met her. Dude saw her in Something Wild back in '86 and just thought she was stunning—like, totally smitten from afar. He even admitted to some Spanish magazine in ‘89 that he’d love to meet her someday. Fast forward to 1995, and guess who walks onto the set of Two Much? Yeah, Melanie. Antonio, being all nervous and giddy, bolts out of his trailer just to say hello—like a teenager with a celebrity crush. First thing he blurts out is asking her age, which, honestly, is a bit awkward. Melanie just cussed, laughed it off, and told him she was 37. Not exactly smooth, but hey, it worked. The two of them ended up hitting it off and sticking together for 19 years, which in Hollywood is basically a lifetime.
Some people play it straight, but not this guy. He’s got his eyes on the prize, and honestly, who wouldn’t take a little extra if it lands in their lap? The movie follows a character who’s sharp enough to know his worth and isn’t about to let someone else cash in on his hard work. He’s not greedy, just practical—if they try to sweeten the deal, he’s not about to say no. The story digs into ambition, negotiation, and that fine line between pride and pragmatism. You’ll see plenty of banter, power plays, and a few moments where you can’t help but root for someone just trying to get what’s fair. And maybe, just maybe, a bit more if the timing’s right. The film’s all about knowing what you deserve, but also being savvy enough to grab the extra if it comes your way.
August 10, 1960
5′ 8½″ (1.74 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Málaga, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
Yes, Stella Banderas
Ana Banderas Gallego and Surekha
64 years old