Antonio Banderas recently shared insights into his decision to leave Los Angeles and return to his hometown in Spain. In an interview with People, the 65-year-old actor explained his move to Los Angeles was initially motivated by his relationship with Melanie Griffith. Griffith’s responsibilities as a mother to two young children at the time made relocation difficult.

“Those were beautiful, exciting years,” Banderas stated. “But I always had this sense it was temporary, and my true place was in Málaga, my hometown, not Malibu.” Banderas and Griffith married in 1996, shortly after their connection on the set of “Two Much” in 1995. They welcomed their daughter, Stella, in September 1996.

The couple’s marriage lasted 18 years before Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in December 2015. Reflecting on their separation, Banderas mentioned, “When we separated, we were always very sincere. And now she is, if not my best friend, one of my best friends.” During their marriage, Banderas was also the stepfather to Griffith’s children, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson.

In a conversation with E! News in February, Banderas expressed his desire to work with Dakota Johnson. He praised her talent, noting, “She’s not only my family but a good actress. She’s excelled in drama, but I remember enjoying her comedy in the TV show ‘Ben and Kate,’ demonstrating her comedic timing.”

Banderas is currently starring in the Anthony Bourdain biopic “Tony.” His breakthrough in American cinema came with the 1993 film “Philadelphia.” He went on to star in films like “Interview with the Vampire,” “Desperado,” “The Mask of Zorro,” and “Pain and Glory,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination in 2020.

During a March interview with The Times, Banderas reflected on his early Hollywood experiences. He recalled being pigeonholed due to his background. “I was told I was there ‘like the Blacks and the Hispanics, to play the bad guys.’ The irony was, years later, my role in ‘The Mask of Zorro’ saw the villain as a character with blond hair and blue eyes,” he recounted. He highlighted his role as ‘Puss in Boots’ as impactful for young audiences, offering representation through a character with a Spanish, Andalusian accent seen as a hero.