Antonio Banderas says he always knew Los Angeles wasn't where he belonged

Antonio Banderas recently spoke about his decision to leave Los Angeles and return to his hometown in Spain.

The 65-year-old actor explained that he had initially moved to Los Angeles to be with Melanie Griffith, whom he fell in love with on the set of the movie "Two Much" in 1995. At the time, Griffith was unable to relocate to Spain due to her two young children. Banderas stated that while his years in Los Angeles were "beautiful and exciting," he had always felt a sense of provisionality about living there.

Banderas married Griffith in 1996, after which they welcomed their daughter, Stella. The couple was together for 18 years before divorcing in 2015 due to irreconcilable differences. Despite their separation, Banderas described Griffith as "one of my best friends" and praised her as a talented actress.

In recent interviews, Banderas has spoken about his early days in Hollywood, where he faced stereotypes that he was only cast as a villain because of his Spanish heritage. However, he noted that roles like Captain Love in "The Mask of Zorro" and Puss in Boots helped to challenge these expectations by showcasing him as a heroic character.

Banderas is currently starring in the Anthony Bourdain biopic "Tony," which follows his long and distinguished career in film. He has appeared in numerous iconic movies, including "Philadelphia," "Interview with the Vampire," and "Pain and Glory," for which he received an Academy Award nomination.