Antonio Banderas
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera[a] (born 10 August 1960), known professionally as Antonio Banderas (IPA: [anˈtonjo βanˈdeɾas]), is a Spanish actor and filmmaker. Known for his work in films of several genres, he has received various accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award and a European Film Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards.
Antonio Banderas
- Actor
- filmmaker
1982–present
Nicole Kimpel (2015–present)
1
Banderas made his acting debut at a small theater in Málaga, where he caught the attention of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, who gave the actor his film debut in the screwball comedy Labyrinth of Passion (1982). They have since collaborated on many films including Matador (1986), Law of Desire (1987), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989), and The Skin I Live In (2011). For Almodóvar's 2019 film Pain and Glory, Banderas earned various accolades in the Best Actor category including the Cannes Film Festival Award, Goya Award, and nominations from the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
In 1992, Banderas made his American film debut with the musical drama The Mambo Kings (1992). He subsequently appeared in a series of American films such as Philadelphia (1993), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Assassins (1995), and Evita (1996). In 1998, he portrayed Zorro in the swashbuckler film The Mask of Zorro, and reprised the role in The Legend of Zorro (2005). In 1999, he made his directorial debut with the comedy film Crazy in Alabama. He is a frequent collaborator with director Robert Rodriguez, having starred as El Mariachi in the Mexico Trilogy films Desperado (1995) and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), the first three films of the Spy Kids series (2001–2003), and Machete Kills (2013). He also provided the voice of Puss in Boots in the Shrek franchise (2004–present) starting with Shrek 2 (2004) and most recently Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
In 2003, Banderas made his US theater debut as Guido Contini in Nine, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award and won a Drama Desk Award. He received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his roles in the television film And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2004) and the second season of Genius (2018); his portrayal of Pablo Picasso in the latter garnered him critical praise.
Early life[edit]
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera[1] was born on 10 August 1960 in Málaga,[2] to Civil Guard gendarme officer José Domínguez Prieto (1920–2008) and schoolteacher Ana Bandera Gallego (1933–2017).[3] He has a younger brother named Francisco.[3] As a little boy, Banderas wanted to become a professional football player until a broken foot sidelined his dreams at the age of 15. He showed a strong interest in the performing arts and formed part of the ARA Theatre-School run by Ángeles Rubio-Argüelles y Alessandri (wife of diplomat and filmmaker Edgar Neville) and the College of Dramatic Art, both in Málaga. His work in the theater and his performances on the streets eventually landed him a spot with the Spanish National Theatre.[4]
Career[edit]
1980s[edit]
Banderas began his acting studies at the School of Dramatic Art in Málaga, and made his acting debut at a small theater in Málaga. He began working in small shops during Spain's post-dictatorial cultural movement known as the La Movida Madrileña.[5]
While performing with the theater, Banderas caught the attention of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, who gave the young actor his film debut in Labyrinth of Passion. Five years later, he went on to appear in the director's Law of Desire (1987), making headlines with his performance as a gay man, which required him to engage in his first male-to-male onscreen kiss. After Banderas appeared in Almodóvar's 1986 Matador, the director cast him in his internationally acclaimed 1988 film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The recognition Banderas gained for his role increased, years later, when he starred in Almodóvar's controversial Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989) as a mental patient who kidnaps a porn star (Victoria Abril) and keeps her tied up until she returns his love.[4] His breakthrough role in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! helped spur him on to Hollywood.[6] Almodóvar is credited for helping launch Banderas's international career, as he became a regular feature in his films throughout the 1980s.[7]