Trivia

Became a huge fan of his wife, Melanie Griffith, long before he met her. He had first seen her in the film Something Wild (1986) and thought she was beautiful and later told a Spanish magazine in 1989 that he would love to meet her. In 1995, when she first arrived on the set of Two Much (1995), he sprinted out of his trailer like a starstruck schoolboy to introduce himself. Nervously, he asked her how old she was. She cursed, laughed, and finally answered she was 37. They soon became a couple and stayed together for 19 years.

Attended and graduated from the School of Dramatic Arts in Málaga, Spain.

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

Became a father for the first time at age 36 when his second wife Melanie Griffith gave birth to their daughter Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith (aka Stella Banderas) on September 24, 1996.

Resides in Los Angeles, California, Aspen, Colorado and Marbella, Spain.

Has also provided the Spanish voice-over for Puss in Boots since his first appearance in link=tt0298148].

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 18, 2005.

Has one younger brother: Francisco Banderas.

He listed his two favorite movies as Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) and Touch of Evil (1958).

Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (1996).

Had to learn English phonetically and completely from scratch when he arrived in the United States to make a risky attempt in Hollywood.

In Spanish, his surname means "flags".

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.

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

Has his own perfume/cologne brand for men - "Blue Seduction Woman".

Ex-stepfather of Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson.

Contrary to false claims, he is not the first Spanish actor to portray Zorro. Spanish actor José Suárez portrayed Zorro several decades earlier in the film Lawless Mountain (1953), who is followed by another Spanish actor Carlos Quiney in the films Zorro's Latest Adventure (1969), Zorro the Invincible (1971), and Zorro, Rider of Vengeance (1971). Banderas is also not the first Latino to play Zorro; other Latinos have preceded him such as Rafael Bertrand (1964), Rodolfo de Anda (1976), and Henry Darrow (1980s).

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

Received an honorary doctorate from Dickinson College in Carlisie, Pennsylvania. (May 2000)

Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Malaga in Malaga, Spain. (May 2010)

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

Has appeared with Salma Hayek in eight films: Desperado (1995), Four Rooms (1995), Frida (2002), Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), Puss in Boots (2011), Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).

Medal of Gold of Merit in the Fine Arts of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (La Coruña, 15 October 2008).

Is a supporter of the Málaga soccer team.

Ex-son-in-law of Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith. Ex-son-in-law of Concha Leza.

Attended a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala in Beverly Hills, California, which raised more than $31 million. (November 2015)

Ex-brother-in-law of actress Tracy Griffith and production designer Clay A. Griffith.

Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for his role as Pablo Picasso in Genius (2017), but lost out to Darren Criss.

Pulled out of a film about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in order to put more time in on the film adaption of Phantom of the Opera.

Nominated for the 2019 Golden Globe Award in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category for his role as Pablo Picasso in Genius (2017), but lost out to Darren Criss for American Crime Story (2016).

Born at 9:00 PM (MET).

Married Melanie at Marylebone registry office in London.

Brought up in Malaga.

He has appeared in one film that has been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Spy Kids (2001).