Dakota Johnson Is Grateful For 'Bonus Dad' Antonio Banderas Who Changed Her Life 'Forever'

Mar 15, 2022 by apost team

Antonio Banderas has played a hero in films and in real life. Born Aug. 10, 1960, in Malaga, Spain, Banderas has become an international icon in the entertainment industry. He entered the scene in the 1980s and has since made a name for himself as a Spanish actor, director, producer, and singer. Some of Banderas’ most notable roles include “Evita” in 1996, “The Mask of Zorro” in 1998, the “Spy Kids” series, and his role as Puss in Boots in the “Shrek” franchise and spin-off films.

He managed to land a critically praised role in “The Mambo Kings” in 1992, before reaching new heights with the film “Philadelphia” in 1993, opposite Tom Hanks. Madonna and Banderas were reunited when they held important roles in “Evita,” an adaptation of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Over the span of his career, Banderas has still made time to find love, settle down and start a family. He met Melanie Griffth in 1995 while shooting “Two Much,” and the two instantly began dating. Both Banderas and Griffith have made names for themselves over their long careers in the entertainment industry, mostly as actors and philanthropists.

Griffith had previously been married to Don Johnson and Steven Bauer and already had children, including Dakota Johnson. Griffith and Banderas were married from 1996 to 2015. When Banderas entered Dakota’s life as her stepfather, he completely changed her world for the better. He stood by her side during tough times. More importantly, the two have shown that being a family doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be related.

As someone in such a big, blended family filled with several busy professionals, Dakota was used to being surrounded by constant chaos during her childhood. However, she learned to embrace the busyness her parents Griffith and Johnson went through as they led fulfilling careers.

According to The Sun, Dakota received plenty of media attention living in such a famous family. She also moved from one school to another because her parents moved around so much for work, and had a hard time finding a source of stability. As a teenager, Dakota went to a boarding school, but was regularly bullied by her classmates.

Even though Dakota told Hello! Magazine that her parents encouraged her to stay out of the acting industry while she was still a child, Dakota realized her passion when she was extremely young. “I couldn’t wait because I grew up on set,” she explained. “My parents were always working with amazing artists, and I just loved it. I wanted to be a part of it so badly.”

Some of the films and TV shows Dakota has appeared in include “The Social Network,” “21 Jump Street,” “How to Be Single” and “The Lost Daughter.”

When Banderas entered Dakota’s life, she welcomed him with open arms as he was incredibly involved in her life and her family’s lives. “I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky,” Dakota said, as per Lessons Learned in Life. “I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life.”

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She continued, “When I was 6 years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light, a whole new world of creativity and culture and one remarkably magical little sister into our family.”

Although Banderas and Griffith have since gone on different paths, Banderas has proven that he remains a great stepfather to Dakota. He was even there for her during her time of need when it seemed like everyone was judging her for her role in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise.

“I think she’s going to have a fantastic career because actually she can play many different turfs,” Banderas told E! News. “She’s a great comedy actress… And then she’s a very good dramatic actress too as she’s showing in the other movie. This is a great opportunity for her and I know that she’s going to take it.”

It’s evident that Banderas has left a long-lasting impression on Dakota and truly changed her life for the better. “He loved my mother and my siblings and I so fiercely, and so big and so loud that it would change all of our lives forever,” she said. “Antonio taught me about true passion and discipline.”

Banderas also holds his relationship with Griffith and their blended family close to his heart, even though he is no longer with the actress. “I remember those years as very effervescent and really beautiful,” he said, according to Newsner. “I am not married with Melanie anymore, but she is my family. She is probably one of my best friends, if not the best friend that I have. My family is there, Dakota, little Estella and Alexander.”

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