Antonio Banderas, the renowned movie star, stepped into fatherhood at 35 when he married Melanie Griffith, a woman with two young children. The couple faced challenges, having met while still married to others. Griffith, previously wed to actor Don Johnson, separated in 1994. Banderas, in the process of divorcing his first wife, Ana Leza, officially tied the knot with Griffith in 1996.

Reflecting on what drew him to Griffith, Banderas admitted admiration for her long before they met, recalling being mesmerized by her in the 1988 film “Working Girl.” Their romantic involvement evolved during the making of “Two Much,” as both were unhappily married.

Banderas faced the complex task of blending into Griffith’s family, becoming a stepfather to her children, Alexander and Dakota. Despite initial challenges, he succeeded in establishing a connection, assuring the kids of his permanence. Banderas shared, “It was hard because the kids had to accept me, and I was totally inexperienced.”

His efforts bore fruit as he played a crucial role in Dakota Johnson’s acting career. The “Fifty Shades of Grey” star had her first acting stint in Banderas’ directorial debut, “Crazy in Alabama,” in 1999. Fond memories abound, with Banderas recalling Dakota’s childhood nickname for him: “Dakota called me Paponio, which is a mixture between papa, which is ‘daddy’ in Spanish, and Antonio.”

Despite Banderas and Griffith’s divorce in 2014, Dakota maintains a loving relationship with her stepfather. In a touching 2019 Hollywood Film Awards speech, she expressed gratitude, calling him one of the most influential people in her life. Banderas, in return, dedicated an award to Dakota, emphasizing her impact on his life. Reflecting on the unexpected honor, he acknowledged the enduring value of his time spent with Griffith and their blended family.