Antonio Banderas' Heartwarming Tribute to Dakota Johnson Will Leave You in Tears!

Antonio Banderas‘ love for Dakota Johnson is uncharted.

Over the past ten years since the divorce of the actress who played Zorro and her mother Melanie Griffith (who got married when Dakota was just 5), their bond has remained robust. In fact, it’s so strong that many speculate they could work together on a film project in the future.

Antonio shared with Will Marfuggi of TopMob News during a recent interview (aired on Feb. 6) that he’d be thrilled to, but it’s quite challenging. He plans to seek out a potential project, and he expressed his hope to collaborate with Dakota at some point in the future.

The lead actor in Paddington 3, who has a new film releasing on Valentine’s Day, made it clear that he is keen to collaborate with the actress from Madame Web not only due to their familial ties, but also because of her remarkable acting skills.

Antonio praised Dakota, saying she was an exceptional actress. This was apparent when she made her acting debut in the movie he directed, 1999’s “Crazy in Alabama”. He added that she was not just good at drama but also excelled in comedy as well.

I recall fondly watching her shine on the small screen during the TV show “Ben and Kate”. Although she’s now primarily focused on drama, back then, her knack for comedy was evident to me, adding an extra dose of enjoyment to my viewing experience.

The 64-year-old finished by saying that “maybe [they could do] a comedy someday” together.

After reuniting with Dakota, 35 (daughter of Don Johnson), last summer in Málaga, Spain, his warm words were expressed following their meeting. During this time, the actress visited Antonio, who was directing a Spanish adaptation of the ’70s musical “They’re Playing Our Song” at his Teatro del Soho CaixaBank theater.

The actor, who has been in a relationship with Nicole Kidman since 2014, posted a charming selfie featuring Dakota during her visit, captioning it on Instagram in July as, “Joy: Dakota in Malaga!

Previously, the star of “The Lost Daughter” has shared insights about the unique relationship she’s nurtured with Antonio over the course of her lifetime.

Dakota expressed this in 2019 at the Hollywood Film Awards: “My family has had multiple marriages, but I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I gained an additional father figure who, over time, turned out to be tremendously impactful and influential in my entire life.” She was presenting Antonio with the Hollywood Actor Award for his exceptional work in Pain and Glory.

Keep reading for more about Dakota and Antonio’s relationship.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I had the pleasure of stepping into the world of acting for the first time, gracing the screen in Antonio Banderas‘ directorial debut, “Crazy in Alabama,” back in 1999. Incidentally, my co-star in this film was none other than my mother, Melanie Griffith. Interestingly enough, this wasn’t our first experience sharing a set with my stepfather – I recall delivering an Easter basket to the iconic Madonna while Antonio was filming “Evita” with her in Budapest all the way back in 1996. I shared this anecdote with Architectural Digest as part of their interview series.

Those treasured memories are held dear by Banderas, who had once stated, “She is my daughter, and I adore her. I have journeyed with her on my back, exploring countless corners of the globe.

At the 2017 Academy Awards, Johnson impressed in a gold Gucci gown, but she had actually attended the event before. Back in 2000, as a 10-year-old, Johnson went to the Oscars with her stepfather and mother. Dressed in purple, she even conducted interviews alongside them, engaging in conversation with the late Joan Rivers, endearingly asking Griffith, “Um…is this my first Oscars?” when Rivers enquired about it being her debut.

Dakota used to call me “Paponio”, which is a sweet combination of ‘papa’, meaning ‘daddy’ in Spanish, and her own twist on my name Antonio. So, I guess you could say she called me “Antonio-Daddy” when she was younger.

Johnson got emotional when she presented an award to Banderas at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards.

Johnson shared that she grew up with multiple marriages within her family and considers herself quite fortunate. She mentioned having an additional father figure who, over time, has proven to be incredibly impactful in her life. When she was six years old, her mother married a man who brought a radiant influence, a new realm of creativity and culture, and an enchanting little sister into their family.

With tears in his eyes, Johnson went on to say, “My stepfather – oh dear, Antonio Banderas unexpectedly entered our world. He was full of life, laughter, and fun, and his English was unique and captivating. We were all mesmerized by him. He adored my mother deeply, as well as my siblings and me, with a passion that resonated loudly and would ultimately transform every one of our lives.

Following the reception of the award, Banderas generously acknowledged Johnson and her sibling, Stella, who is 25 years old, in a heartfelt shout-out.

As a fervent admirer, let me share something heartfelt: This is for two individuals who hold a special place in my heart. One of them, Dakota, is right by my side. My affection for you knows no bounds because, among other things, you continue to endearingly call me ‘papi.’ It’s such a simple gesture, yet it means the world to me, and I can’t express enough how much I cherish that! The actor from Pain and Glory expressed this very sentiment on stage. Truly, you have no idea just how deeply I feel about that!

During the 31st Palm Springs International Film Festival, roughly a few weeks afterwards, Banderas shared with TopMob News that he was unaware Johnson would deliver such an emotionally stirring speech.

He expressed that it was completely unexpected, as he knew she would deliver a speech, but he had absolutely no clue about the way she would go about giving it; she hadn’t shared any details with him.

It deeply touched him when he realized that their twenty years together as a family held the same significance for her as it did for him.

Banderas confessed, “For all those years, I harbored thoughts and emotions about Melanie, but I realized that those years we spent together were not solely about us; they encompassed our family. They were absolutely worth every moment.

2025-02-07 22:49

Antonio Banderas’ Heartwarming Tribute to Dakota Johnson Will Leave You in Tears!

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