An internationally recognized Spanish artist, having charming and attractive looks and handsome personality, Antonio Banderas is a globally renowned personality. He has been chosen as one of the 50 best-looking people in the world by the People magazine in 1996. He is particularly famous for the role as Zorro, in “The Mask of Zorro”.
Antonio Banderas was born in Malaga, Andalusia, Spain in 1960 to Ana Banderas and José Domínguez Prieto He carried his mother name “Banderas”. He has been raised as a roman catholic but with the passage of time he became liberal in his religious approach. He got married to one of the famous actress Melanie Griffith and has a daughter whose name is Stella. Both of them met each other at the set of Two Much (1996). Banderas was first married to Ana Leza, but the couple got split in 1996. He is an ardent soccer admirer and a staunch supporter of the Real Madrid Football Club.
As a child, Banderas wanted to become a professional football player as he was passionate about playing this game. He was a part of his school team. Unfortunately, he broke his leg at 14 which shattered his dream to play further. After this, he switched his mind towards theater. He watched a stage drama 'Hair', which diverted his inner being towards theater. Eventually he grew a craze for drama and acting and commenced his acting studies at the School of Dramatic Art in Málaga.

He kicked-off his acting career from a small theatre in Málaga. He was detained by the Spanish police for his performance in a play that was politically sensitive, under the rule of General Francisco Franco. He passed his entire night at the police custody. He was arrested few more times as he was working with a small theatre company, which was performing all over Spain in towns and on streets.

At his late teens, he moved to Madrid in search of an acting profession. He had some tough times, as he worked as a waiter and did some small modeling jobs for his survival. Suring that period, he joined and become the youngest member of the company at the National Theatre of Spain. He continued his stage performances that ultimately had the notice and consideration of movie director Pedro Almodovar. The filmmaker casted this young and talented actor in his movie “Labyrinth of Passion”. This was the first appearance by Banderas on the big screen.

Banderas and Almodovar got connected with one another and made many new and sexually provoking movies during the 80s. He came into limelight all over Spain because of his first male-to-male on-screen kiss, as he performed the role of a gay man in Law of Desire by Almodovar. Banderas's extensive and successful journey with Pedro Almodovar proved him as a talented actor and carved his way towards global recognition. His performance in “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” was praised and the flick was nominated for an Academy Award.

His first Hollywood venture was “the mambo kings”. He rose to worldwide fame and recognition when he starred opposite to Tom Hanks. He performed as a lover of Tom Hanks in the movie and he managed this delicate role with supreme perfection.  After this he was casted in the “Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles”. In this movie he played opposite to Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. After the sequels of hits and success at his credit, Banderas proved himself as the leading Hollywood actor and marked his space. He starred opposite Madonna in “Evita”, which further smoothened his way.

He was triumphant in getting recognition and praise for his role of Zorro in the picture “The Mask of Zorro” also starring Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones. He has also voiced in the admired animated film Shrek 2 as Puss in Boots.