Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas is a Spanish film actor, director, producer, and singer. He began his acting career with a series of films directed by maverick filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. Following a string of early projects with the director, he caught the attention of international audience with his portrayal of an obsessed kidnapper in Almodóvar's controversial film ‘Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!’ He was introduced to American audiences in Madonna's documentary ‘Madonna: Truth or Dare.’ He made his English feature film debut in ‘The Mambo Kings.’ The actor then received rave reviews for his performance as a devoted lover in the ‘Academy’ award-winning American legal drama film ‘Philadelphia.’ Banderas showcased his skills as an action hero in hits like Robert Rodriguez's ‘Desperado’ and Martin Campbell’s ‘The Mask of Zorro,’ in which he starred opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones. He made his directorial debut with ‘Crazy in Alabama,’ a comedy-drama film, starring his then-wife Melanie Griffith. He was also seen in several family features, including Rodriguez's popular ‘Spy Kids’ franchise. He also voiced ‘Puss in Boots’ in ‘Shrek 2’ and in its subsequent sequels. For the first time in more than two decades, he worked with Almodóvar for the psychological thriller ‘The Skin I Live In.’ His performance in the film is regarded by many as one of his most compelling works. Handsome, charismatic, and gifted, he is indeed one of cinema's most popular leading men.