Antonio Banderas has played a hero in films and in real life. 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.

In the late 80s, the Spanish actor married Ana Leza and eventually had a divorce in 1996. Around that same time, he then married his co-star Melanie Griffith while shooting the movie “Two Much.”

Griffith had previously been married to Don Johnson and Steven Bauer and already had children, including Dakota and Alexander.

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.

However, in 2015, the couple divorced, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation, but assured everyone that it was done “in a loving and friendly manner.”

Dakota, on many occasions, referred to Banderas as her “bonus dad.” The two’s bond as father and daughter had been unbreakable, even after Banderas finalized his divorce with Griffith.

Dakota Johnson, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith (2003), (James Devaney/WireImage via Getty images)

Banderas got the chance to meet what would be his second wife, Griffith, on the set of “Two Much,” who was also part of the film as his leading lady. Eventually, they hit it off and married each other in London last May 1996.

Griffith, who already has Dakota and Alexander, was warmly welcomed by Banderas. Ultimately, Griffith and Banderas had their daughter, Stella, in the same year.

As Banderas became a part of the household, his step-children began to see him as a second father. According to People Magazine, they even called him a cute nickname – “Paponio,” a mixture of “Papa” and “Antonio.”

However, Banderas and Griffith divorced in 2015, ending their 20-year marriage. Despite this setback, the actor remained close to his step-children, especially Dakota.

On many occasions, Dakota has expressed her admiration and love for Banderas. When the Hollywood Film Awards awarded Best Actor to Banderas in 2019 for “Pain and Glory,” it was Dakota who presented it.

“I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky. I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life,” Dakota admitted.

“When I was six 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 in to our family.”

Thrilled to be presenting the award to her stepfather, Dakota was proud to recall how the actor had taught her the fundamentals of life and acting.

“Antonio taught me about true passion and discipline. He would spend hours, and days even, in his office trying to get to the nucleus of something he had become interested in, or a role he was preparing,” she raved.

Dakota Johnson, Antonio Banderas (2019), (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)

Thanks to Banderas, Dakota discovered that she actually has talent in acting. In the 1999 film “Crazy in Alabama,” a film directed by Banderas and starred by Griffith, Dakota made her acting debut, which only involved a few lines – but because of her determination to make it right, she even had an acting tutor to run her lines with.

Per Entertainment Online, it wasn’t the first time that Dakota spent valuable time with her father on set. While Banderas was working with Madonna on “Evita,” she was knocking on the pop icon’s door to deliver an Easter basket.

“She’s my daughter, I love her. I’ve been with her on my shoulders, traveling all around the world,” Banderas fondly reminisced of her step-daughter, who, despite the formality of it all, he considers as his own daughter.

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 Vulture.

“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.”

Since his divorce from Griffith, Banderas has been happily in a relationship with his girlfriend, Nicole Kimpel, proving that love transcends boundaries, expectations, and even hardships.

Last May 2022, the couple celebrated their eight-year anniversary, and in an Instagram post, Banderas revealed that they are “enjoying every second of it.”

When asked about their future plans, the actor told Toronto.com back in 2015 that they have no plans for a wedding or children as he needed the stability that his relationship with Kimpel gives.

Dakota Johnson, Antonio Banderas (2019), (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)

Are you an Antonio Banderas fan? What do you think of Antonio Banderas’ relationship with his step-daughter Dakota Johnson? Aren’t they sweet? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones!