Antonio Banderas Explains His Return to Spain and Reflections on Career

Antonio Banderas recently shared why he chose to leave Los Angeles and move back to his hometown of Málaga, Spain. In an interview with People, the 65-year-old actor explained that his initial move to Los Angeles was motivated by his relationship with Melanie Griffith. At that time, Griffith had two young children and was unable to move to Spain.

“Those were exciting years. But I always felt it was temporary and that my life would lead me back to Málaga,” Banderas stated. “I was meant to be in Málaga, not Malibu.” Banderas and Griffith, who married in 1996 after meeting on the set of “Two Much” in 1995, welcomed their daughter Stella in the same year.

After 18 years of marriage, Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014, citing irreconcilable differences. They finalized their divorce in December 2015. Despite the separation, Banderas and Griffith maintained a strong friendship. “When we separated, we were very sincere. Melanie is still, if not my best friend, one of my best friends,” Banderas expressed.

During his marriage to Griffith, Banderas was also stepfather to her two children, Alexander Bauer and actress Dakota Johnson. Banderas mentioned to E! News in February 2025 that he would like to work with Johnson because of her talent and their family connection.

“Dakota is a good actress in many different ways. She’s a great comedian too,” Banderas noted. He particularly enjoyed her performance in the TV show “Ben and Kate,” where he recognized her comedic timing.

Banderas is currently starring in “Tony,” a biopic about Anthony Bourdain. He gained prominence in American cinema with his role in the 1993 movie “Philadelphia” and continued with roles in “Interview with the Vampire,” “Desperado,” and “The Mask of Zorro.” His performance in “Pain and Glory” earned him an Academy Award nomination.

In a March interview with The Times, Banderas reflected on the challenges he faced in Hollywood. Initially, he was told he would be typecast as a villain due to his ethnicity. “They said I was there to play the bad guy,” Banderas shared. However, he found success in roles like Zorro and the voice of “Puss in Boots,” which helped redefine perceptions and allowed children to see a positive character with a Spanish accent.