An independent fan archive
Antonio Banderas: A Life in Film and Theatre
More than four decades of work, from Pedro Almodóvar’s Madrid to Hollywood and back to the stages of his native Málaga. Explore the films, the milestones and the recognition behind one of Spain’s best-known actors.
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Biography
From Málaga to the world stage
Born José Antonio Domínguez Bandera in Málaga on 10 August 1960, Banderas trained at the city’s School of Dramatic Art before moving to Madrid and the Spanish National Theatre. There he caught the attention of Pedro Almodóvar, who gave him his film debut in Labyrinth of Passion (1982) and cast him in a run of films through the 1980s.
He made his American film debut in The Mambo Kings (1992), learning many of his English lines phonetically, and went on to work across drama, action, musicals and animation. In 2019 he opened the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank in Málaga, where he has since directed a series of musicals.
Fan safety notice
Beware of impersonators!
Be careful when communicating with people online who claim to be Antonio Banderas.
Impersonators may use his name, photographs, interviews, film roles, or social-media content to make their accounts appear legitimate.
To verify an account, use established public profiles and inspect the account carefully before engaging.
Filmography
Featured films
Six films that trace the arc of his career, from the Almodóvar years to an Oscar-nominated return to Spanish cinema.
1988
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
One of the Almodóvar films of the 1980s that made Banderas a familiar face to Spanish and international audiences.
1993
Philadelphia
His role opposite Tom Hanks brought him to mainstream American audiences.
1998
The Mask of Zorro
The title role earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and he returned as Zorro in 2005.
2004
Shrek 2
The start of a much-loved voice role he carried into his own films, Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
2011
The Skin I Live In
His first film with Almodóvar since 1990, and a sharp break from his Hollywood image.
2019
Pain and Glory
Best Actor at Cannes, the Goya for Best Actor and his first Academy Award nomination.
Career timeline
Career highlights
1960
Born on 10 August in Málaga, Spain.
1982
Film debut in Pedro Almodóvar’s Labyrinth of Passion.
1992
American film debut in The Mambo Kings.
2003
Broadway debut in the musical Nine, earning a Tony nomination and the Drama Desk Award.
2005
Receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2018
Primetime Emmy nomination for playing Pablo Picasso in Genius: Picasso.
2019
Wins Best Actor at Cannes for Pain and Glory, and opens the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank in Málaga.
2020
Wins the Goya for Best Actor and receives his first Academy Award nomination.
Fan safety notice
Beware of impersonators!
Be careful when communicating with people online who claim to be Antonio Banderas.
Impersonators may use his name, photographs, interviews, film roles, or social-media content to make their accounts appear legitimate.
To verify an account, use established public profiles and inspect the account carefully before engaging.
Photo gallery
Moments from a public life
From Ford’s Theatre in 1997 to the Academy Awards and an evening with Pedro Almodóvar. Every photograph in the archive is openly licensed on Wikimedia Commons and credited to its photographer.
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News and articles
Latest from the archive
The first articles are on their way. Check back soon for news, retrospectives and features.
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