Mexican-born celebrity Antonio Banderas celebrates his 65th birthday and reminisces his affection for his homeland, Mexico.
On a sunny Saturday, October 5, 2002, in the main garden of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, a man named Antonio, wearing a cowboy hat and carrying newspapers, was walking down the street. The man, who was 48 years old at the time, was about to enter the house he was currently renting.
This man, Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish-born actor and director known internationally for his good looks, emotional range, and versatile performances. He began his career in the 1980s working with Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, starring in films like Labyrinth of Passion (1982), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989), which helped make him a star in Spain and brought him to Hollywood's attention.
Antonio moved to the U.S. in the early 1990s, gradually becoming a Hollywood star with notable roles in The Mambo Kings (1992), Philadelphia (1993), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Desperado (1995), Evita (1996), and The Mask of Zorro (1998). His role as Zorro was his most famous international role, starring alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Banderas also starred in the popular family-oriented Spy Kids series directed by Robert Rodriguez. His career is marked by a transition from Spanish cult films in the 1980s to major Hollywood blockbusters in the 1990s and beyond, making him one of the most recognizable Spanish actors worldwide.
On this particular day, Antonio was in Mexico promoting the dubbing of "Puss in Boots". Journalists approached him, who was 48 hours away from portraying the character known as "The Northern Centaur" in the film "And starring Pancho Villa as himself". Antonio felt at home in San Miguel de Allende, as it was the same place where he and Salma Hayek were hung for a scene in "Desperado", seven years earlier.
Antonio Banderas's filmography includes over 100 productions in the US. Despite his fame, he was not nervous but felt a responsibility to do justice to the revolutionary leader he was portraying. As he greeted some people who recognised him with "Hello Antonio!", he responded with a friendly "Good morning!" or raised his hand in a greeting, showing his humble and approachable nature.
- Antonio Banderas, known for his roles in movies-and-tv, entertained journalists about his upcoming film "And starring Pancho Villa as himself," discussing his character, "The Northern Centaur."
- Outside of his celebrity status, Antonio Banderas maintained a humble and approachable nature, greeting fans with warmth during the promotion of his various entertainment projects.
