Hollywood Was Never Meant to Be Forever

Antonio Banderas is reflecting on the decision to leave much of his Hollywood life behind and return to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, saying he always felt that his life ultimately belonged there.

The 65-year-old actor told PEOPLE that although his years in Hollywood were exciting and filled with major opportunities, he never viewed California as his permanent home.

‘I Was Not Supposed to Be in Malibu’

Banderas moved to the United States after falling in love with actress Melanie Griffith, whom he married in 1996. Their relationship also brought him closer to her children, including Dakota Johnson and Alexander Bauer.

He went on to build an enormously successful Hollywood career, starring in films including Desperado, Evita and The Mask of Zorro. Yet even at the height of his success, Málaga remained on his mind.

“Those were beautiful, exciting years,” Banderas said. “But I always had this sense of provisionality that it was not going to last my whole life.”

A Health Scare Changed His Perspective

Banderas’ heart attack in 2017 became a major turning point in how he viewed his life and priorities.

The actor has previously described the experience as a wake-up call that helped him reconsider what truly mattered. Returning to Spain allowed him to reconnect with his hometown and pursue a lifestyle that felt more personally meaningful.

A Friendship That Survived Divorce

Banderas and Griffith divorced in 2015, but their relationship remained remarkably close.

He now describes Griffith as “if not my best friend, one of my best friends”, saying the pair remained sincere with each other throughout their separation and continued to spend time together.

Their ability to maintain such a close friendship after nearly two decades of marriage has also allowed them to remain connected as a family.

From Hollywood to Bourdain

Banderas is now starring in Tony, a new biopic about the early life of legendary chef and writer Anthony Bourdain.

The film follows a 19-year-old Bourdain as he enters the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen during a summer that would help shape his future. Dominic Sessa plays the young Bourdain, while Banderas portrays Ciro Cozzi, one of the figures who influenced him.

Why the Role Felt Familiar

Banderas said he was drawn to the project partly because of his admiration for Bourdain and partly because of his own connection to the restaurant world.

The actor owns eight restaurants, giving him some personal understanding of the environment portrayed in the film. He also admired Bourdain’s television work because he felt No Reservations was ultimately about life and people, not simply food.

Finding His Way Home

After decades of international fame, Banderas appears comfortable with the idea that success is not always about staying where the biggest opportunities are.

Hollywood gave him some of the defining roles of his career, but Málaga gave him something different: a sense of belonging. For Banderas, returning home was not necessarily leaving his old life behind. It was finally choosing the place where he felt he was meant to be.