Melanie Griffith, daughter of actress Tippi Hedren, began her acting career at 12 and starred in several significant productions. Despite her professional success, her personal life drew much attention. Married three times, including to Antonio Banderas, she faced challenges like rehab and raising three children.
Her children, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson, had a tough upbringing due to Melanie’s struggles. Born on August 9, 1957, in New York City, Griffith’s life has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. She battled drinking problems, endured car accidents, and experienced three divorces.
Growing up, Melanie’s life was influenced by the pressures of show business, with her mother marrying agent Noah Marshall and bringing a pet lion into their home for a film project. This unique childhood was documented in Life Magazine.
At 14, she met actor Don Johnson on the set of “The Harrad Experiment,” leading to a controversial relationship due to their age difference. They married twice, first in 1976 and again in 1989, having daughter Dakota Johnson in between.
In 1981, while filming “Roar,” Melanie was mauled by a lion, needing plastic surgery. Despite the incident, she continued her career, earning an Academy Award nomination for “Working Girl” in 1989. She married actor Steven Bauer in 1981, having son Alexander, but they divorced in 1989. She then rekindled her relationship with Don Johnson, but they divorced again in 1996.
Melanie married Antonio Banderas in 1996, who became a crucial stepfather to her children, particularly Dakota. Despite their 2014 divorce, Banderas remains close to his stepchildren.
At 65, Melanie is single and focused on her family, recently acting in “The High Note” (2020) alongside Dakota. Diagnosed with cancer twice, she is now an advocate for cancer awareness and supports Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Despite her turbulent life, Melanie Griffith remains a beloved figure.
