Antonio Banderas is still trying to correct the record about his wife Melanie Griffith’s recent admission to rehab. When the story was initially reported two weeks ago, sources claimed that Antonio had given Melanie an ultimatum – something like “If you don’t get clean, I’m divorcing you.” Within a few days, Antonio denied that particular report, telling Extra “She’s doing fantastic and very little of what is being published is true…I am not going away. I am staying with my family and my wife who I love very much.” Now Antonio has gone on Ellen to talk more about Melanie’s years-long struggles with addiction, and how proud he is of her for facing her demons head-on. In Antonio’s words, “The whole entire family is supporting her, and I am supporting her, and at this particular time more than ever. I’m very proud of her.” Can Antonio get any better?

Melanie Griffith’s recent admission to a rehab clinic isn’t something husband Antonio Banderas is going to sweep under the rug.

“It’s not a rumor, but let me explain to you,” Banderas, 49, tells Ellen DeGeneres in an interview to air on Wednesday’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“It was said actually in some magazine that I said that I gave an ultimatum to my wife. That I present the matter of divorce because she has been involved in addictions and blah, blah, blah,” says the actor. “Melanie has been addicted for many years and we always came out. We said it out loud. It was okay, we were never embarrassed of the situation but what happened she was clean and sober for six years.”

But six years of clean living was endangered after Griffith, 52, had a skiing accident in Aspen, Co., a year and a half ago. Three operations in her knee required her to use narcotics – and come face-to-face with her demons again.

“In March, she came to me and said, ‘I’m feeling a little bit weak in my determination for this … so I just thought to go to rehabilitation by myself,’ ” Banderas said. “So the whole entire family is supporting her, and I am supporting her, and at this particular time more than ever. I’m very proud of her.”

More than that, the entire family is actively participating in Griffith’s rehab program.

“We have been following some type of therapy with other families,” he said. “There are a number of invisible heroes working in AA all around the world. I just say to families, ‘Don’t get embarrassed, just confront this problem head-on. And don’t hide from that because there is a beautiful gift at the end of this tunnel, and it is the person that you love back, and that is what I am searching for.’ ”

He added, “I am very proud of my wife.”

[From People]

This is maybe one of the best examples I’ve ever seen of a family treating an addict with love and respect, and like a responsible, cognizant adult. I applaud Melanie for recognizing that she was in danger of sliding in her recovery, and I think the world of Antonio for being so supportive, in such a smart, effective way. This interview should be used for family-sessions of Narcotics Anonymous. Sigh. I love Antonio. I think I’m going to watch Desperado tonight.

Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith and their daughter, Stella, are shown watching an Easter parade in Malanga, Spain on 4/5/09. Credit: ENF/Fame Pictures. watches the Easter processions in Malaga, Spain, with wife Melanie Griffith and their daughter Stella del Carmen. CR: ENF/Fame Pictures

Antonio Banderas, 49, is currently doing press for his new film with Laura Linney and Liam Neeson, The Other Man. Banderas is rumored to be having trouble in his marriage of 13 years to Melanie Griffith, 52. Griffith is currently in rehab and there are stories that Banderas threatened to leave her if she didn’t get sober. A reporter for ExtraTV asked Banderas about Griffith, and his response was so heartfelt and honest that I really got the impression that he loves Melanie and would do anything for her. Bandera’s co-star, Laura Linney, was sitting right next to him when he was asked about Melanie and she looked a little scared for a moment, as if she thought the question was inappropriate. The kind of gentle response from Banderas quickly put her at ease, though:

Antonio Banderas is not leaving his sometimes drug-addicted wife Melanie Griffith, who checked into rehab last week for a ‘routine’ visit.

“She’s doing fantastic and very little of what is being published is true,” he told Extra TV. “I am not going away. I am staying with my family and my wife who I love very much.”

Fox News reported that Griffith’s trip to rehab was not planned but rather the result of Banderas’ refusal to continue putting up with her insane demands, such as insisting all her food be yellow.

[From The Huffington Post]

I saw Antonio and Melanie on Oprah in 2004 when he was promoting the second Shrek movie. I found her a little crass as she made a reference to how well endowed Antonio was. You could tell that she was really into him, and that he meant the world to her, and he didn’t seem overly embarrassed by her remark from what I remember. Banderas seems like a great father and husband and good for him for speaking out for Melanie. There’s something kind of dreamy about Banderas and although we’ve heard some rumors of a possible affair he does strike me as a devoted husband. Antonio and Melanie have a daughter together, Stella, who turns 13 later this month. Melanie also has a son, Alexander, 24, from her second husband, Steven Bauer, and another daughter, Dakota, 19, with Don Johnson.

Antonio and Melanie are shown out with their daughter, Stella, on 4/3/09. They’re also shown at events in June, July and September, 2008. Credit: WENN.com

Melanie Griffith has a long, storied history of drug and alcohol abuse dating back to her days as Mrs. Don Johnson. Lately, the wife of Antonio Banderas seems to have a new drug of choice – plastic surgery. But Star magazine says the actress has been using again, and her husband has made it clear: rehab or divorce.

Melanie Griffith has checked into a rehab facility, her rep confirms to Star.

“She is there to reinforce her commitment to stay healthy. This is part of a routine plan that was designed between her and her doctors years ago,” Melanie’s publicist, Robin Baum, tells Star of the actress’ stay at Cirque Lodge in Utah.

But an insider tells Star that this stint in rehab is a bid to save her marriage. “She’s working with the counselors on getting control of her demons.”

The 52-year-old movie star has battled addictions to drugs and booze since she was a teenager and she’s had several previous stints in rehab. But her latest fall off the wagon is the last straw for her husband of 13 years, Antonio Banderas.

“The reason Melanie checked in was her husband was demanding that she get clean and sober,” another source tells Star. “He told her that if she didn’t get the help she needed it would be the end of their marriage.”

According to a third source, “Melanie’s struggling right now, but Antonio has been checking in on her as much as he is allowed, making sure she gets back on her feet. Without Antonio in her life, I honestly believe Melanie would be dead.”

[From Star]

I guess this shows that addiction can be a lifelong struggle, no matter who you are. It’s sad, because Melanie’s addiction problems have ruined her last two marriages, and probably taken a toll on her career. It’s sad for their family, too – they have one daughter, Stella, and Melanie has two other children. Unfortunately, this is probably an all-too-familiar situation for them. It seems that Antonio is going the “tough love” route with his wife. Hopefully, that will be motivation enough for Melanie to start taking better care of herself.

Melanie Griffith is shown out with her daughters on 6/9 and 6/11 and at an event on 6/11. Credit: WENN.com/FayesVision

Antonio Banderas, his wife Melanie Griffith, and Alfre Woodard were among the stars at the NY premiere of “Take the Lead.” The film sounds like Dangerous Minds on the dance floor:

It’s been called a “hackneyed charmer,” and “completey predictable, but charming” and is receiving somewhat decent reviews.

Banderas also visited MTV’s Total Request Live yesterday, where he showed host Vanessa Minnillo some of his moves.

Banderas has two projects in the works. He will “return to Broadway in a new musical based on the 1995 film, ‘Don Juan DeMarco‘” and will play the lead in a new historical epic, “Conquistador,” as the villianous Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes who defeated the Aztec empire in the 16th century.

8 more pictures after the jump.

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