Watch Antonio Banderas Online

Banderas was born in Málaga, Andalucia, southern Spain,Also known as Tony Flags to his english friends the son of doña Ana Banderas, a school teacher, and Jose Domi­nguez, a policeman in the Guardia Civil. He also has one brother, Francisco. Banderas was raised as a Roman Catholic, and is now a very strong follower of the faith . He took his mother's surname as his stage name.[4] He initially wanted to play soccer professionally, but his dream ended when he broke his foot at age 14. As a young man, he traveled to Madrid, in order to make a career in the Spanish film industry.

His acting career began at the age of 19, when he worked in small theaters during the Movida period. He first gained wide attention through a series of films by director Pedro Almodovar, between 1982 and 1990. These included Laberinto de pasiones (1982), Matador (1986), La ley del deseo (1987), Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988), and Atame! (1989). His breakthrough role was as the character "Ricky" in Atame! (English-language title: Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!), which was a minor success in the United States.

He subsequently moved to the U.S. and began appearing in American films; some of his earlier roles there included the 1992 film, The Mambo Kings, as well as a supporting role in the Oscar-winning 1993 film, Philadelphia. He appeared in several major Hollywood releases in 1995, including a starring role in the Robert Rodriguez-directed film, Desperado. In 1996, he starred alongside Madonna in Evita, an adaptation of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in which he played the narrator, Che, a role originally played on Broadway by Mandy Patinkin. He also received critical praise for his role as the fictional Mexican masked swordsman, Zorro in the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro, for which he was the first Spanish actor to portray the character after over 80 years since Zorro's creation.

He has also frequently collaborated with Robert Rodriguez who cast him in the Spy Kids film trilogy and the final installment in the "Mariachi" trilogy (in which he appeared with Johnny Depp), Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Banderas' sole credit as a director was the poorly-received Crazy in Alabama (1999), starring his wife Melanie Griffith.

In 2003, he returned to the musical genre, appearing to great acclaim in the Broadway revival of Maury Yeston's musical Nine, based on the film 8½, playing the prime role originated by the late Raúl Juliá. Banderas won both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards, and was nominated for the Tony Award for best actor in a musical.His performance is preserved on the Broadway cast recording released by PS Classics.

His voice role as Puss in Boots in Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third made the character popular on the family film circuit. In 2005, he reprised his role as Zorro in The Legend of Zorro, though this was not as successful as the original. In 2006, he starred in Take the Lead, a high school-set movie in which he played a real-life ballroom dancing teacher. That year, he also received the L.A. Latino International Film Festival's "Gabi" Lifetime Achievement Award, on October 14. He hosted Saturday Night Live's 600th episode (in season 31). The musical guest was Mary J. Blige. He performed a voice-over for a computer-animated bee which can be seen in the United States in television commercials for Nasonex, an allergy medication, and was seen in the 2007 Christmas advertising campaign for Marks & Spencer, a British retailer. He is being considered for the part of Hadrian in the in-production (as of February 2008) film Memoirs of Hadrian.

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#24). [1995]

Education: School of Dramatic Art, Málaga, Spain

Stepfather of Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson.

Siblings: One younger brother, Francisco

Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world [1996]

Father of Stella Banderas.

Married Ana Leza at the Church of San Nicolas in Madrid. Among those who attended were Carmen Maura and Pedro Almodóvar.

Son-in-law of Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith.

In Spanish, his surname means "flags".

Was nominated for Broadway's 2003 Tony Award for Best Actor (Musical) for a revival of "Nine The Musical."

Spanish citizen.

Shares a birthday with Rosanna Arquette and Nicoletta Braschi.

Support Real Madrid soccer team.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [18th October 2005].

Has his own perfume/cologne brand for men.

Formed his own touring theater group in Spain where he met director Pedro Almodóvar.

He had to learn English phonetically and completely from scratch when he arrived in the US to try his luck in Hollywood.

Ex-son-in-law of Concha Leza.

Despite being raised Catholic, Banderas described himself as an agnostic in a People magazine interview but added that whatever spiritual beliefs his kids may or may not have is fine with him.

Received an honorary doctorate on May 2000 from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania.

Listed his favorite 2 movies as Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) and Touch of Evil (1958).

Formed his own touring theater group in Spain where he met director Pedro Almodóvar.

Puss in Boots (2010) (announced) (voice) .... Puss in Boots

Sin City 2 (2010) (pre-production) (rumored)

Shrek Goes Fourth (2010) (filming) (voice) .... Puss in Boots

Thick as Thieves (2008) (completed)

The Other Man (2008) .... Ralph

My Mom's New Boyfriend (2008) .... Tommy Lucero/Martinez

Shrek the Halls (2007) (TV) (voice) .... Puss in Boots

Shrek the Third (2007) (voice) .... Puss in Boots

Bordertown (2006) .... Alfonso Diaz

Take the Lead (2006) .... Pierre Dulaine

The Legend of Zorro (2005) .... Zorro / Alejandro

Far Far Away Idol (2004) (V) (voice) .... Puss In Boots

Shrek 2 (2004) (voice) .... Puss In Boots

Imagining Argentina (2003) .... Carlos Rueda

And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) (TV) .... Pancho Villa

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) .... El Mariachi

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) .... Gregorio Cortez

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) .... Agent Jeremiah Ecks

Frida (2002) .... David Alfaro Siqueiros

Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002) .... Gregorio Cortez

Femme Fatale (2002) .... Nicolas Bardo

Original Sin (2001) .... Luis Antonio Vargas

Spy Kids (2001) .... Gregorio Cortez

The Body (2001) .... Father Matt Gutierrez

Play It to the Bone (1999) .... Cesar Dominguez

The White River Kid (1999) .... Morales Pittman

The 13th Warrior (1999) .... Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan

The Mask of Zorro (1998) .... Alejandro Murrieta / Zorro

Evita (1996) .... Ché

Two Much (1995) .... Art Dodge

Never Talk to Strangers (1995) .... Tony Ramirez

Assassins (1995) .... Miguel Bain

Four Rooms (1995) .... Man (segment The Misbehavers)

Desperado (1995) .... El Mariachi

Miami Rhapsody (1995) .... Antonio

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) .... Armand

Of Love and Shadows (1994) .... Francisco

Philadelphia (1993) .... Miguel Alvarez

The House of the Spirits (1993) .... Pedro Tercero García

¡Dispara! (1993) .... Marcos

Giovane Mussolini, Il (1993) TV mini-series .... Benito Mussolini

The Mambo Kings (1992) .... Nestor Castillo

Mujer bajo la lluvia, Una (1992) .... Miguel

Terra Nova (1991) .... Antonio

Contra el viento (1990) .... Juan

¡�tame! (1990) .... Ricky

Otra historia de Rosendo Juárez, La (1990) (TV) .... Rosendo Juárez

Acto, El (1989) .... Carlos

Blanca Paloma, La (1989) .... Mario

Si te dicen que caí (1989) .... Marcos

Bajarse al moro (1989) .... Alberto

Bâton rouge (1988) .... Antonio

Placer de matar, El (1988) .... Luis

Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988) .... Carlos

Mujer de tu vida: La mujer feliz, La (1988) (TV) .... Antonio

Así como habían sido (1987) .... Damián

Ley del deseo, La (1987) .... Antonio Benítez

Delirios de amor (1986)

27 horas (1986) .... Rafa

Puzzle (1986)

Matador (1986) .... �ngel

Caso cerrado (1985) .... Preso

Corte de Faraón, La (1985) .... Fray José

Réquiem por un campesino español (1985) .... Paco

Zancos, Los (1984) .... Alberto

Fragmentos de interior (1984) TV series .... Joaquín

Señor Galíndez, El (1984) .... Eduardo

Caso Almería, El (1984)

Y del seguro... líbranos Señor! (1983)

Laberinto de pasiones (1982) .... Sadec

Pestañas postizas (1982) .... Antonio Juan

ALMA Awards

2002 Won Anthony Quinn Award for Achievement in Motion Pictures Nominated ALMA Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for: Spy Kids (2001)

2000 Won ALMA Award Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film for: The 13th Warrior (1999)

Outstanding Director of a Feature Film for: Crazy in Alabama (1999)

1999 Won ALMA Award Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Annie Awards

2005 Nominated Annie Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for: Shrek 2 (2004) As the voice of Puss in Boots.

Berlin International Film Festival

2007 Won Label Europa Cinemas for: Camino de los ingleses, El (2006)

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

1999 Nominated Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Actor - Action/Adventure for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Cartagena Film Festival

1991 Won Golden India Catalina Best Actor (Mejor Actor) for: ¡�tame! (1990)

Emmy Awards

2004 Nominated Emmy Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for: And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) (TV)

European Film Awards

1999 Won Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema for: Crazy in Alabama (1999) For his directorial achievement and also the body of his work.

1998 Won Audience Award Best Actor for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Nominated Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Fotogramas de Plata

1996 Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Two Much (1995)

1994 Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: ¡Dispara! (1993)

1993 Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Mujer bajo la lluvia, Una (1992) Also for The Mambo Kings (1992).

1991 Won Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: ¡�tame! (1990) Also for Blanca Paloma, La (1989) and Contra el viento (1990). Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best TV Actor (Mejor Actor de TV) for: Mujer de tu vida: La mujer feliz, La (1988) (TV)

1990 Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Bajarse al moro (1989) Also for Si te dicen que caí (1989).

1989 Won Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Así como habían sido (1987) Also for Bâton rouge (1988), Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1988) and Placer de matar, El (1988).

1988 Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Ley del deseo, La (1987) Also for Delirios de amor (1986).

1986 Won Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor (Mejor Actor de Cine) for: Caso cerrado (1985) Also for Corte de Faraón, La (1985) and Réquiem por un campesino español (1985).

GLAAD Media Awards

2004 - Vanguard Award

Golden Apple Awards

1995 Won Golden Apple Male Discovery of the Year

Golden Globes, USA

2004 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for: And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) (TV)

1999 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

1997 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical for: Evita (1996)

Goya Awards

1997 Nominated Goya Best Lead Actor (Mejor Actor Principal) for: Two Much (1995)

1991 Nominated Goya Best Lead Actor (Mejor Actor Principal) for: ¡�tame! (1990)

1987 Nominated Goya Best Supporting Actor (Mejor Actor de Reparto) for: Matador (1986)

Imagen Foundation Awards

2006 Won Imagen Award Best Actor for: Take the Lead (2006)

Nominated Imagen Award Best Actor for: The Legend of Zorro (2005)

2004 Won Imagen Award Best Actor in a Film for: Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

Best Actor in a Television Drama for: And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003) (TV)

1999 Won Lasting Image Award for: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Kids' Choice Awards, USA

2002 Nominated Blimp Award Favorite Male Action Hero for: Spy Kids (2001)

MTV Movie Awards

2005 Nominated MTV Movie Award Best Comedic Performance for: Shrek 2 (2004)

1999 Nominated MTV Movie Award Best Fight for: The Mask of Zorro (1998) Shared with: Catherine Zeta-Jones

1996 Nominated MTV Movie Award Best Kiss for: Desperado (1995) Shared with: Salma Hayek

Most Desirable Male

NCLR Bravo Awards

1996 Nominated NCLR Bravo Award Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film for: Of Love and Shadows (1994)

Premios ACE

1991 Won Premio ACE Cinema - Best Actor for: ¡�tame! (1990)

San Sebastián International Film Festival

2008 - Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award

Sant Jordi Awards

1988 Won Sant Jordi Best Spanish Actor (Mejor Actor Español) for: Ley del deseo, La (1987) Also for 27 horas (1986) and Delirios de amor (1986).

Spanish Actors Union

1993 Nominated Award of the Spanish Actors Union Film: Lead Performance (Protagonista Cine) for: The Mambo Kings (1992)

Taormina International Film Festival

2004 - Taormina Arte Award

Valladolid International Film Festival

1989 Won Best Actor for: Blanca Paloma, La (1989)

Venice Film Festival

1999 Nominated Golden Lion for: Crazy in Alabama (1999)

Visual Effects Society Awards

2005 Nominated VES Award Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture for: Shrek 2 (2004) Shared with: Raman Hui For the Puss in Boots character.

Walk of Fame

2005 - Star on the Walk of Fame Motion Picture On 18 October 2005. At 6801 Hollywood Blvd.