Actor Antonio Banderas turns 65: how he conquered Hollywood

The most famous Spanish actor in the world and Hollywood's main El Mariachi, Antonio Banderas, turned 65. He was born on August 10, 1960, in Malaga, Spain, in the family of a police officer and a school teacher, and until the age of 15, he did not think about an acting career, intending to become a footballer. But a leg injury changed his plans: already in his youth, the future actor began studying at a theater school, and then entered the College of Dramatic Arts in Malaga.

Banderas' work at the Spanish National Theater in the early 80s attracted the attention of novice director Pedro Almodóvar. Their collaboration began with the film "Labyrinth of Passion" (1982), where Banderas appeared in a small role.

Collaboration with Almodóvar and other great Spanish directors eventually led Banderas to Hollywood. In 1991, he starred in the pseudo-documentary film "In Bed with Madonna." According to the plot, the singer noticed the actor during a tour in Europe and infiltrated a party at Pedro Almodóvar's, but it turned out that the young actor was married.

Thanks to Madonna, Banderas, who spoke poor English, found himself in Hollywood and by the late 90s became the main sultry heartthrob of American cinema.