Antonio Banderas is a world-renowned actor who has starred in many well-known films. He was born as José Antonio Domínguez Bandera in 1960 in the Andalusia community of Southern Spain where he lived with his much-loved parents. Banderas grew up in the small town of Fuengirola, where he was raised as a Roman Catholic by his parents. To this day, Antonio Banderas is still a practising Roman Catholic and flies back for Holy Week annually to join in the festivities.
Like many other young boys in Spain, Antonio Banderas grew up hoping to be the next football star. This short-lived dream ended when he injured his ankle at a young age, and he instead turned to the world of acting. Banderas moved to Madrid when he was nineteen and joined in the world of theatre.
His acting abilities soon recognised, Banderas was quickly snatched up by one of Spain’s top film directors and started his career in movies. Antonio stayed there for several years, and had a hit in 1992 which the Spanish film Átame which reached across the world. With his fame slowly spreading, Antonio Banderas made his way to Hollywood where he has continued to star in many films. Some of these famous films include The Legend of Zorro, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Evita. He also did the voice of The Puss in boots in the Shrek series and has gained fame all over the world.