Dakota Johnson is OK with being the child of movie stars.
Actress Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, recently discussed the challenges of growing up in Hollywood.
She recalled feeling frightened as a child, explaining in a recent interview with Vogue Germany that people would sometimes aggressively approach and even physically try to reach her mother during simple outings like grocery shopping.
Dakota, who was raised with the help of her stepfather Antonio Banderas (who was married to her mother from 1996 to 2015), explained that accepting something unusual during childhood can sometimes create insecurities later in life.
The 36-year-old also discussed the intense public interest in her personal life, which she attributes to growing up in a famous acting family.
She explained that being famous means your personal life becomes very public, which can be intrusive, disrespectful, and hurtful. However, she also noted that, like most things, there are both challenges and amazing benefits to being in the public eye.
The Madame Web actress understood that her family situation was quite unique compared to others. It included not only her own children, but also the children of her husband Don Johnson’s previous relationships: Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas’s daughter Stella, Melanie’s son Alexander with Steven Bauer, Don’s son Jesse with Patti Arbanville, and his younger children Atherton, Jasper, and Deacon with his current wife, Kelley Phleger.
I practically grew up on movie sets, always around people working in the film industry,” she said. “My dad’s work took us to Texas when I was born, and I quickly realized my family’s job was unlike most of my friends’ parents, who had typical office jobs.
Dakota remembers traveling frequently with her family as a child, but she didn’t mind it at all.
“I always just accepted it,” she said. “This is what we do. It’s in our blood.”
Keep reading for more about Dakota’s family tree…
Dakota remembered traveling frequently with her family as a child, but she didn’t mind it at all.
“I always just accepted it,” she said. “This is what we do. It’s in our blood.”
Keep reading for more about Dakota’s family tree…
Melanie Griffith first met Don Johnson when she was 14 years old. He was 22 at the time and acting alongside her mother, Tippi Hedren, in the 1973 film The Harrad Experiment.
Tippi Hedren recalled falling for him quickly, describing it as a teenage crush, in a 1989 interview with People magazine.
Melanie and Don’s relationship moved quickly. She was only fifteen when she started living with him, and they became engaged at eighteen. They ran off to Las Vegas and got married on January 8, 1976, even though Don had confessed to being with someone else – a beauty queen – the night before their wedding.
Melanie explained to People magazine that she and her partner considered marriage as a way to fix their problems, but it ultimately didn’t work. Surprisingly, she married him hoping it would end their relationship, and they later had the marriage annulled.
During the early 1980s, Don was in a relationship with actress Patti D’Arbanville, who was also known as a muse to Andy Warhol and the inspiration for Cat Stevens’ song “Lady D’Arbanville.”
Don shared with People magazine in 2024 that he met the mother of his first son while working on a film in New York City. He described walking into Andy Warhol’s studio and seeing her standing naked on a table – she was shooting the first-ever cover for Interview magazine and he was immediately struck by her beauty and charisma.
Their paths first crossed in 1973, when Patti appeared on the cover of Interview magazine (though she wasn’t the first), but they didn’t become a couple until 1981. The story goes that Don went to a restaurant in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Tanya Tucker, and ended up leaving with Patti instead.
“She moved in that night,” he told People in 1984. “And we stayed in bed for about eight days.”
Don and Patti welcomed son Jesse Wayne Johnson on Dec. 7, 1982.
Don told People magazine he’d explained to Patti that he wasn’t ready to get married, and she responded by saying she wasn’t looking for that either.
The star of Miami Vice, after struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, said that having a young family helped him begin to get sober.
He recalled walking into the breakfast room one morning in 1984, telling People magazine that the sun was shining and birds were singing. He found his wife, Patti, feeding their baby. He described feeling unsteady as he sat down, and when Patti looked at him, he realized their marriage was at a breaking point. He then confessed to her, ‘Patti, I’m an alcoholic and addicted to drugs, and I’m going to get help.’
He and Patti separated in 1985. Since then, Patti has been married and divorced three times and has three children with her most recent ex-husband.
Jesse is both a musician and an actor. He first appeared on screen in 2001, in an episode of his father’s popular show, Nash Bridges. More recently, he had a guest role on his dad’s new hit series, Doctor Odyssey.
Jesse was raised in Aspen, Colorado. Although he studied theater at Occidental College in Southern California, his Instagram posts show he still loves skiing and spending time with his large family.
He’s also the singer and guitarist for the band Blame Baby, which he describes to Rock Wired as playing rock music that feels nostalgic for a simpler time.
Stephen Bauer, known for his role in Scarface, starred in the comedy She’s in the Army Now. He and Melanie Griffith were married from 1983 to 1987.
Although she’s been quieter about their relationship and their son, Alexander, the former couple has stayed friendly. They were even seen getting cozy together at the 2013 premiere of Dark Tourist.
In a 2020 interview with People magazine, Melanie shared that she remained friends with all three of her former husbands, saying she loved them dearly.
Alexander Griffith Bauer was born on August 22, 1985. After his parents divorced, he mostly lived with his mother in Los Angeles.
He’s generally a pretty private person, though he does show up at family events – especially those focused on the Johnsons. While he’s tried his hand at writing and acting, he mostly works on the technical side of filmmaking as a grip.
In 2021, Melanie shared a photo of her sons, Jesse and Alex, on Instagram, writing, “Happy National Sons Day! I love these amazing guys so much.”
Like moths to a flame, Melanie and Don got back together…eventually.
In 1987, Don suggested Melanie appear as a sophisticated madam on Miami Vice, and they rekindled their on-again, off-again relationship. While they were apart at times, Don dated Barbara Streisand and Melanie saw an investment banker. However, in 1988, Don supported Melanie’s decision to get sober, and she entered the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota with his encouragement that May.
For about two years, Don had been gently encouraging me to go to Hazelden. It might sound dramatic, like I had a serious drug problem, but that’s not the case with alcoholism. For me, even one drink was incredibly damaging. Thankfully, Don, who’d been involved in AA since 1983, was a constant support throughout it all – he was always there for me, every step of the way.
Melanie was pregnant when they wed again on June 26, 1989.
You know, it really feels like we’re living a classic, wholesome family life – kind of like the old ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ show! Alexander actually lives with us, and Jesse is always around. It’s wonderful! And honestly, everyone keeps saying how much they’d love it if we had a little girl, too.
Dakota Mayi Johnson was born Oct. 4, 1989.
Since then, she’s fully embraced a Hollywood career. She first appeared on screen in the 1999 film Crazy in Alabama, which featured her mother and was directed by her stepfather, Antonio Banderas. She later gained significant recognition for her work in films like the Fifty Shades series, A Bigger Splash, How to Be Single, Suspiria, and Madam Web.
She’s expressed frustration with the recent discussion about ‘nepo babies,’ explaining that joining a family business is a fairly normal thing for people to do.
She remembered telling Pedro Pascal in an interview with Elle in 2025 that she began auditioning for roles. There were times when work was scarce, and she sometimes had to ask her parents for financial support. She expressed gratitude for her parents’ help, but admitted it wasn’t a pleasant experience, calling the audition process ‘the worst.’
Melanie’s parents divorced in 1996, but she’s stayed close to her entire blended family – including her stepmother, former stepfather, and all of her half-siblings, whom she considers her full siblings.
Dakota Johnson has said she had a very communal upbringing, raised not just by her mom and dad, but also by stepparents, caregivers, teachers, and even the parents of her friends and boyfriends. In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she explained that she always sought to learn from everyone around her, and she continues to do so. She credits this unique childhood with shaping her into the person she is today, expressing gratitude for both her parents and the unconventional way she was raised.
I was a big fan of Dakota and Chris Martin together – they were so lovely, even though they kept their relationship really private. It was tough seeing all the breakup rumors over the years, but I always hoped they’d make it. Sadly, it seems like they’ve finally split, and several sources confirmed it to People magazine in June. It’s definitely the end of their relationship after being together since 2017.
Despite frequent reports of a split, they continued to live together in Malibu and consistently managed to dispel breakup rumors with a public appearance or statement.
Dakota Johnson happily embraced the role of a second mother figure to Chris Martin’s children, Apple and Moses, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow.
“I love those kids like my life depends on it,” Dakota told Bustle in 2024. “With all my heart.”
Gwyneth Paltrow, who married Brad Falchuk (a father of two) in 2018, revealed in a 2023 Instagram Q&A that she and Dakota Johnson are actually close friends.
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas were both married to other people when they met on the set of the 1995 film Too Much. Antonio had been married to Ana Leza since 1987. However, both ended their previous marriages and married each other in London on May 14, 1996. Their daughter, Stella, was born four months later.
They announced their divorce in June 2014, releasing a statement that they had reached the decision amicably and with mutual respect for each other, their family, and friends, as well as the happy memories they shared.
Similar to her behavior with Don, Melanie remained close to Antonio, who has been in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel since 2015.
Antonio told Fox News Digital in 2023 that he and his ex-wife remain good friends and he holds no ill will towards her. He described her as a wonderful woman and fondly remembered their 20-year relationship, saying he still respects and cherishes the time they shared.
“We definitely had some tough times,” he said, “but I’ll always cherish the good times we shared, especially the moments with our children and as a family.”
And when he travels to L.A., he added, the first thing he does is call Melanie.
Antonio explained that they make it a priority to have family dinners and get-togethers. He emphasized that this is important not just for his immediate family, but for everyone.
Stella Del Carmen Banderas was born Sept. 24, 1996.
Antonio shared with Fox News that his daughter, a model and the founder of the fragrance brand Lightbound in 2021, thinks about movies in a very thoughtful and insightful way.
He mentioned she’s been making short films, has experience as a director and actress, and is planning to direct commercials soon. He believes she’ll eventually become a feature film director. Interestingly, she and her father later appeared together in a Mercedes commercial that aired in Europe.
Stella announced her engagement to Alex Gruszynski in August 2024. She shared the happy news on social media, writing that she’s excited to spend the rest of her life with her best friend.
Melanie shared the happy news on Instagram, announcing that Stella and Alex are engaged! She recounted the proposal: he got down on one knee, and Stella said yes. Their relationship actually began way back in preschool!
Stella and Alex later got married in October 2025. Stella’s father, Antonio, described the wedding on Instagram as a deeply emotional, joyful, and laughter-filled family reunion, and expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped make it happen.
In 2015, Dakota, her grandmother Tippi Hedren, mother Melanie Griffith, and sister Stella all dressed stylishly for the 22nd annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards.
Don met Kelley Phleger, a nursery school teacher who had previously dated California Governor Gavin Newsom, at a birthday party for San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown in the mid-1990s. They began dating in 1997.
The couple got married on April 29, 1999, at the home of Gordon Getty in the Bay Area, and they’ve been together ever since.
Oh my gosh, Don just said it! He told People magazine in 2024 that it’s all about kindness, trust, and respect between him and her – and they totally have that! He says they’re lovers and friends, and that it’s just…fun! He thinks she’s an amazing woman, and honestly? I completely agree. It’s just so beautiful to hear him talk about her like that, it melts my heart!
I was so touched by Kelley’s Instagram post celebrating her 26th wedding anniversary! She wrote about looking back on all their memories from that day and said she wouldn’t change a single day. They’ve truly been through everything together, and their love has only grown stronger. They’ve built a wonderful family and feel incredibly blessed, and she said they’ll continue their journey together, hand in hand. It’s just so heartwarming to see a love like theirs!
The actor’s life is much calmer now compared to his time on Miami Vice. Back then, the show needed round-the-clock security, and he couldn’t even step outside without being overwhelmed by fans eager to meet ‘Sonny Crockett’.
Don recently shared with People magazine that maintaining a good work-life balance is challenging for actors, as film and television projects often demand a lot of time. He’s fortunate to now be able to choose roles that fit his lifestyle, and often prefers supporting roles because they allow him to enjoy acting without the demanding hours and extended time away from his family.
Don and Kelley’s first child together, Atherton Grace Johnson, was born Dec. 28, 1999.
Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, she lived a normal childhood, only occasionally appearing alongside her parents. She later went on to study photography at USC.
Grace first gained attention in 2019 when she attended the Met Gala with Dakota and modeled in a Christian Cowan show inspired by The Powerpuff Girls. Since then, she’s worked with Bello magazine, walked the runway for Gucci, and even appeared in a music video with her brother Jesse’s band.
In a 2019 interview with Glamour Spain, the actress described her relationship with her sister, Dakota, as a unique blend of sisterhood and close friendship. She explained that, despite their age gap, Dakota has always treated her as an equal.
Jasper Breckenridge Johnson was born June 6, 2002.
He played basketball at a high school in Santa Barbara. His father often posts about how tall he and his brothers are on Instagram, and he notes that his parents have always been incredibly supportive, never missing any of his games.
Besides his dream of playing basketball in college, he plans to study business, earn a four-year degree, and then work in the business world.
The family grew with the birth of their son, Deacon James Johnson, on April 29, 2006. Don was reportedly overjoyed, with his representative saying he was “over the moon times six.”
Like Jasper, his Instagram account is private, but his bio says “Sb usc,” which likely refers to the college he’s attending.
Deacon’s family and friends call him “Chap.” His mom’s birthday message to him, saying “Happy 19th, Chap! Deacon James, we love you and couldn’t ask for a better youngest child! You’re the best!”, shows how fondly they think of him.
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2025-10-22 19:43