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ANTONIO BANDERAS (Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan) most recently starred in the title role of the Steven Spielberg production, "The Mask of Zorro," for which he received his second Golden Globe Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. His first nomination was in the same category for his stand-out performance as Che in Alan Parker’s "Evita." Banderas makes his directorial debut with "Crazy In Alabama," starring his wife Melanie Griffith, and will next be seen starring in Ron Shelton’s "Play It to the Bone" opposite Woody Harrelson. Banderas’ outstanding international appeal led to his American film debut starring opposite Armand Assante in the 1992 feature "The Mambo Kings." Banderas learned to play trumpet and to speak English in preparation for his portrayal of the soulful and entrancing Cuban musician and composer, Nestor Castillo. Since then, he has starred in numerous features, including Jonathan Demme’s Academy Award®-winning "Philadelphia," starring with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington; Neil Jordan’s "Interview with the Vampire," starring opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt; the romantic comedy "Miami Rhapsody" opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Mia Farrow; Bille August’s "The House of the Spirits"; Robert Rodriquez’ "Desperado" and "Four Rooms"; Richard Donner’s "Assassins" opposite Sylvester Stallone; "Never Talk to Strangers" with Rebecca De Mornay; Isabel Allende’s "Of Love and Shadows"; and "Two Much" with Melanie Griffith and Daryl Hannah. Prior to his American film debut, Banderas was best known for his ongoing collaboration with director Pedro Almodovar, having starred in five of his feature films, including "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" and "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" For the latter, Banderas received Spain’s equivalent of an Academy Award® nomination for Best Actor. Born in Malaga, Spain, Banderas studied theater at the School of Dramatic Arts in Malaga, and began his career working with a local independent theater company. In 1981, he moved to Madrid and began working in theater and television roles, which led to his film debut in Pedro Almodovar’s "Labyrinth of Passion." Banderas has appeared in more than 30 Spanish films, working with such directors as Antonio de Real, Rodolfo Kuhn, Pedro Costa, Carlos Suara, Jose Luis Garcia Sanchez and Juan Minon.
