Peter Lindbergh’s 1995 Portrait of Antonio Banderas
A rare never-before-seen mid-90s image offers a glimpse at the star's early Hollywood days
Image: Instagram
Rediscovering A 1995 Iconic Shot
In a recent Instagram post, Antonio Banderas’s official handle (@antoniobanderas) unveiled a previously unseen photograph shot by legendary fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh in Los Angeles during 1995. Tagged #LindberghStories, the crisp black-and-white image captures a young Banderas in a relaxed moment, his expressive gaze framed by Lindbergh’s trademark play of light and shadow.
The image immediately resonated with fans and photography buffs alike, offering a window into Banderas’s emerging Hollywood presence. At the time, the actor had already made a name for himself in both Spanish and American cinema, but this portrait highlights his transition from European star to international leading man.
Early Career In The 90s
Antonio Banderas was born José Antonio Domínguez Bandera on August 10, 1960, in Málaga, Spain. He trained at the School of Dramatic Art in Málaga before landing breakthrough roles in Pedro Almodóvar’s films such as Labyrinth of Passion (1982) and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). By 1992, he crossed over to Hollywood with The Mambo Kings and solidified his status in 1993’s Philadelphia alongside Tom Hanks.
1994’s Interview with the Vampire saw Banderas play Armand opposite Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, earning critical praise for his layered performance. Just a year later, Lindbergh captured him in this Los Angeles frame—an understated moment between blockbusters and red-carpet premieres.
Zorro Throwback
Another throwback post by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) on Instagram serves as a companion snapshot from the same era. In her #TBT entry, she shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set of The Mask of Zorro (1998), where Banderas starred alongside Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. The trio’s chemistry helped the film become a swashbuckling hit and introduced Banderas’s charismatic blend of charm and swordplay to a new generation.
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKy5lCWMbYQ/
From Silver Screen To Immersive Theater
Fast-forward to today, and Banderas continues to reinvent himself. A recent post highlights his involvement in Imagine, an immersive multimedia production now featured on the cover of Diario Sur in Málaga. He wrote in Spanish, “Hoy Imagine es portada en @diariosur. Un sueño hecho realidad. Un espectáculo que no deja de crecer y de sorprender, ahora con la voz inconfundible de @antoniobanderas. Gracias a todos los que están haciendo posible esta reinvención llena de magia, tecnología y emoción. 💫 El viaje solo acaba de empezar.”
(Translation: “Today Imagine is featured in Diario Sur. A dream come true. A show that keeps growing and surprising, now with Antonio Banderas’s unmistakable voice. Thanks to everyone making this reinvention full of magic, technology and emotion possible. The journey has only just begun.”)
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKCuXyHiPb8/
From Lindbergh’s lens to modern immersive theater, the Spanish actor’s journey spans three decades of stagecraft and screen performances. Whether commanding the camera in a Lindbergh portrait or lending his voice to cutting-edge theatrical experiences, Banderas remains a creative force in both Europe and Hollywood.
Fans revisiting this 1995 image are reminded of how far he’s come—and how each new project builds on a foundation laid during those early Los Angeles days. As #LindberghStories continues to unearth archival treasures, Banderas’s portrait stands out as a testament to his enduring appeal and his place in cinema history.
Trivia
