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
Such a nice man wasted on her. Hope he leaves soon. He deserves a better woman.
They seem really well suited for each other and sweet. I really hope they stay together.
He’s way too good for her. He deserves much better.
Some men like a woman who “needs” them, or someone they can rescue on a regular basis. Melanie seems to fit the bill on both counts.
I think I just fell in love with him a 2nd time. The first time was years and years ago, when he was first on the Hollywood scene, I remembering hearing that Madaonna made a move on him and he turned her down flat.
Excellent choice.
As for Melanie–Knowing she has had off and on addiction issues–she’s always seemed a bit screwed up, but I never recall feeling shes been mean and hateful and *itchy. More than I can say for many sober stars, so I have to admit…I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for her.
I hope Melanie & he keep it together.
LOVE Antonio!
Love them both but somebody please take away that awful out of style Greek hairdo with the little bangies off him as soon as possible! It does not suit him.
“He’s too good for her”…”nice man wasted on her”. When u guys grow up and be be in your 30s, you’ll see that nothing is about good looks. Seriously…keep enjoying living in your “princess world”.
when u see a beautiful girl with an ugly man or vice versa, think twice. He’s/she’s not there for nothing.
TOE- Amen 🙂
It’s not a matter of IF he has an affair, it’s only a matter of when.
Antonio is still swoon-worthy. That is all.
Didn’t he present his first wife when Madonna made that move? I can’t believe he left her for this train wreak of a woman. I smell groping the ladder to success and now he can’t just dump her with all the press around. I hope this routine treatment ends with divorce.
I saw Melanie at a private terminal at Malaga airport, if I hadn´t read her tatoo, “Antonio” I wouldn´t have recognized her at all, she looked like a scrawny old bird from a council estate who´d had a rough night. Antonio was in departures when I walked in, he looked like he needed a good wash. What makes these people stars, is beyond me.
Antonio seems to truly love his wife, I hope she sticks to rehab and cleans up her act.
British,,,how interesting. Thanks for the 1st hand account.
I don’t care how many Nasonex commercials he makes, that man is still devastatingly handsome.
““He’s too good for her”…”nice man wasted on her”. When u guys grow up and be be in your 30s, you’ll see that nothing is about good looks”
Um, I’m 44 so my 30’s are just a memory. And my comment wasn’t referring to their looks (although she is quite ugly). My comment is that he is too good for is just that…he seems to be a really good guy while she’s a vapid loser with a ton of baggage. He does deserve better than her.
What a man… declaring his love for his wife after so many years and obvious problems… swoooon…
Wow. He is still seriously handsome.
Antonio is from Malaga (where Pablo Picasso was born), that is correct! I studied there for a semester last year. In that same semester, the man himself came to my college to do a presentation on a movie/documentary he was involved with, can’t remember exactly. So while I was in Spain, he was at my school. Oh well.
We can’t second guess what the celebs say in public or for what reasons.
In time, maybe after Melanie gets healthy physically and spiritually, this will be the greatest couple ever.
Until then, I believe, they are going through a tough time. Just like the “simple folk” do.
Antonio is nothing more than an enabler. Melanie at this point ISN’T going to get it together and he should drop her and take the kids.
I had a mother who had a landmine personality and it messed me up pretty badly. I can’t fathom why this idiot hasn’t droppeed the loser.
Good man. He’s dedicated to his wife.
People aren’t perfect.
Antonio has a sense of grace and dignity. And he is European. You can bet your ASS she hears it at home. Just not in public. And his kisses I will imagine are as passionate as his rants.
Hope they both do well.
The rational and charitable side of me is grateful that she has support at home and someone to give her unconditional love and stability for her and her daughter. That being said, I couldn’t do what Antonio is doing. It’s one thing to support a loved one through a traumatic event or illness, but addiction is such a self-absorbing/destructive thing that (unless you were held down and forced) you bring on yourself. Clingy crackhead wasn’t what I was imagining when it came down to the “in sickness and in health” bit. If that’s selfish and petty, so be it. Spread the word: potential alcoholics, plastic surgery catwomen, and dope fiends shouldn’t be friends with me b/c I’m judgemental. I’ll find a way to bear the loss.
She’s trash, always has been, always will be. Run, Antonio, while you’re still young and handsome. Melanie will probably go through another man or two and never fully beat this addiction. As we’ve all said: YOU CAN DO BETTER!