Born: August 9, 1957, New York, NY
Melanie Griffith August 9, 1957 New York, NY
Antonio Banderas August 10, 1960 Malaga, Spain
After four failed marriages between them, actors Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas finally seem to have found their Mr. and Mrs. Right in one another. Griffith is famous not only for her Hollywood pedigree (as the daughter of Tippi Hedren) and her breathless, ingnue-meets-nymphet persona, but also for decades of trouble with substance abuse and not one but two failed marriages to actor Don Johnson. Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is the incredibly sexy star of several Pedro Almodovar films and many Stateside efforts, including Philadelphia and Evita. He fairly radiates charisma and exudes animal magnetism onscreen, while Griffiths breathy voice and soft, ultra-feminine features create a similarly sexy allure and, in their very girlishness, hint at a far more womanly appeal.
Griffith and Banderas met in 1995 while filming Two Much; though both were married (Griffith to Johnson and Banderas to his first wife of eight years) and though the movie was a flop, the experience resulted in the ending of their marriages to other people and the beginning of their mutual love affair. They married in 96 and have a daughter together, Stella. Since Two Much the two have paired up again on Crazy in Alabama (99), which Banderas directed and in which Griffith starred, and are currently considering working together again on a sequel to Griffiths 1989 hit film Working Girl. Though all seems well between them (Griffith even has Antonio tattooed in a heart on her shoulder), Hollywood romances are notoriously difficult. Rumors flew during the filming of Banderass upcoming film Original Sin that the actor got to know his costar, the sexy, young (and very married) Angelina Jolie, a bit too well. Though he and Griffith seem very much together, committed and in love, Griffith revealed some insecurity in her February, 2001 interview with Redbook magazine when she said I try to work out if I possibly can ... I dont know for sure that Im going to be able to keep Antonio. I try my best. Whats in the Stars for this high-profile love affair?
Griffith and Banderas were born three years and one day apart, both under a warm Leo Sun. Leo is the Sign of the Actor, since it possesses a dramatic, charismatic energy. Those born under its influence tend to be a bit self-interested but also are very loyal and affectionate; Leos take great pride in their families, especially their children. Since Griffiths Sun is in the Fourth House of Home in her chart, her husband and children are even more important to her. Two Leos together could make for a rather tumultuous relationship; this is a stubborn Sign that always wants to be the center of attention, the dominant partner. This could result in power struggles, but Griffith places her family and home high on her list of concerns, perhaps even before herself, and Banderass Sun Trines Jupiter, which indicates he has a great deal of integrity.
These two were probably initially attracted to one another for their mutual abundance of sexy personal magnetism. Leo is a vital, energetic Sign as it is, and both Griffith and Banderas have their Suns Conjunct Uranus in their charts, which increases that natural vitality. Their Ascendants -- their Rising Signs, which speak to how they come across to the world -- are also well-matched: Griffiths Taurus Rising gives her a sweet, sensual appeal, while Banderass Pisces Rising makes him seem perfectly romantic, emotionally supportive and connected, sympathetic and intuitive.
With his Moon in the First House, Banderas doesnt just seem intuitive, he really is. He might also be rather moody, but since his Moon (the ruler of his emotions) lies in Aries, those moods are likely to come and go quickly. His Moon placement is well-matched with Griffiths: Her Aquarius Moon desires freedom and spontaneity in life and love, two things that Aries is all about. Neither of these placements makes for a very dependable, stable emotional life, but thats fine with Griffith and Banderas: They both like things to be exciting, always something new and different on their plate. They may have some emotional battles from time to time, however; those with their Moons in Aries tend to feel things passionately and are often rather quick-tempered. Those with Aquarius Moons, on the other hand, are often emotionally cooler or more aloof and can become rather uncomfortable in the face of intense emotional displays. It might be that Banderas has a hot temper, which Griffith would prefer to avoid; however, his Moon Sextiles Mars, an aspect that helps him control the force of his emotions.
Griffith and Banderas have very similar interests in both life and love, which act as a strong foundation for a long-term relationship: Both their Mercuries, their Communication Planets, lie in the Fifth House of Pleasure, his in Leo, hers in Virgo. These placements combine with their Leo Suns to indicate great creativity on both their parts. Future film collaborations between these two are quite likely, and any collaborative creative effort will be done well -- Banderass Sun and Venus both lie in the Sixth House, indicating he loves his work and cares a great deal about gaining recognition for his talents, and Griffiths Mars, the Passion Planet, lies in Virgo, which means she expects perfection from herself in all she does. She puts forth only her most focused effort when tackling a new project. This placement might indicate a bit of a repressed sex drive on Griffiths part, but her Venus and Mars both lie in the Fifth House, which marks her as a passionate lover and helps promote a happy, satisfying love life.
Their Mercuries in the Fifth House could indicate a bit of caprice in the game of love on both their parts, but Griffith and Banderas both have their Love Planets, Venus, in Virgo. Theyre actually both quite practical about love (perhaps to the point of overanalyzing their romantic attachments and feelings) and neither wants to settle for less than perfection in a partner. Looks like theyve found that in one another! Their charts seem well-matched and theirs could be a long and fulfilling relationship, but it might be Griffith who really keeps the fires burning. With her Fourth House Sun and her Fifth House Venus and Mars, she is very home-, family- and love-oriented, whereas Banderas is a bit more work-oriented (with his Sixth House Sun and Venus). Hes not all work and no play, however: Two Pluto aspects in his chart generate a ton of sexual magnetism. Could this be the source of Griffiths insecurity about the longevity of their connection? Perhaps -- plus, her self-confidence is somewhat undermined by her Mars-Saturn Square. But despite her insecurities, his potential for quick-temperedness and any other obstacles, Griffith and Banderas have clearly made a solid love match.
