Melanie Griffith: American Actress
Melanie Griffith first began appearing in independent thriller films during the 1970s; she didn’t gain mainstream success until the mid-1980s with roles in Brian De Palma’s Body Double and Jonathan Demme’s Something Wild.
She made her Broadway debut in 2003 with a Chicago musical. Critics praised her performance.
Melanie Griffith’s Biography
Melanie was Griffith Born on August 9, 1957, in New York City. Melanie Griffith was the daughter of actress Tippi Hedren and actor Peter Griffith, two actors with strong ties to the entertainment industry. Beginning as a model at nine months, Melanie found success onscreen – including earning both an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe win for Working Girl (1988) but her multiple marriages and struggles with substance abuse threatened to overshadow her acting ability.
She graduated from Hollywood Professional School in 1973 and quickly secured roles in independent thriller films before making her breakthrough in 1980 with performances in Night Moves and Body Double; later films notably featured an outrageous scene featuring her stripping down naked for long portions of time – drawing comparisons between herself and late actress Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1990s, she continued her success both on television and film – including John Schlesinger’s Hitchcockian urban thriller Pacific Heights and Adrian Lyne’s neo-noir Mulholland Falls being two notable titles – garnering many Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations including Buffalo Girls Milk Money Cecil B Demented as well.
After several disastrous film projects such as The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), Griffith’s drug abuse threatened her career. To recover, she entered a rehabilitation clinic, with her second husband Steven Bauer helping her recover. Once sober, Griffith focused on acting, giving several acclaimed performances such as portraying a drug-addicted criminal in Another Day in Paradise (1998).
In the 2000s, she concentrated on television roles such as Nip/Tuck and Raising Hope; she made her Broadway debut in 2003 in Chicago: Revival with great reviews for her performance in its revival; then in the 2010s began branching out into science fiction/genre film genres as well as voiceover work as well as anti-bullying campaigns advocacy.
Melanie Griffith’s Acting Career
Melanie Griffith began modeling during the early 1970s. Her mother Tippi Hedren was already an established actress (with roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Marnie), while her father worked as a real estate agent and advertising executive. Melanie married twice; once with actor Don Johnson for six months.
Even after their brief marriage ended, Johnson would remain close to Griffith throughout her life. Johnson helped Griffith overcome her drug and alcohol dependency to return to acting, something which once kept studio executives from casting her in feature films.
In 1989, they would reignite their romance and marry in an intimate ceremony at their ranch near Aspen in Colorado – with their sons from previous marriages serving as ring bearers for this intimate event.
Though their second try at marriage proved successful, Johnson and Griffith still experienced difficulties within their personal lives – Johnson was struggling with alcoholism and would often leave the ranch; while Griffith suffered from bipolar disorder as well as dependence on prescription drugs.
Over time, she would rekindle her career as an actor, earning Golden Globe nominations for Buffalo Girls and RKO 281, as well as being nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for John Waters’ Cry Baby cult classic. Additionally, she made an appearance as Charlotte Haze in Adrian Lyne’s Lolita as well as appearing in John Schlesinger’s neo-noir movie Mulholland Falls.
Griffith began her television career in the late 1990s, appearing as a guest star on shows such as Nip/Tuck and Raising Hope. Additionally, she made her Broadway debut with an outstanding performance of Chicago in a revival production that received critical acclaim.
In the 2000s, Griffith continued her success on television before making her feature film debut with Automata (2014) alongside former husband Antonio Banderas. Although their marriage would ultimately end up dissolving in 2015, both remain on good terms; Banderas even recently called Griffith one of his “best friends”.
Married to Steven Bauer (1989-2000)
Melanie Griffith has been married four times and has one child – but that hasn’t sped up her search for another partner! On Instagram, the 65-year-old actress took followers back down memory lane by sharing images with former husbands.
Lolita star Liza Minelli began her reflection period by sharing a photo with her first husband Don Johnson, whom she married in 1976 but divorced two years later. Next, she posted one with Steven Bauer – whom she married again in 1981 with whom they share a son Alexander Bauer. Both pairs could be seen posing together firmly clasping hands. “#tbt 1984,” was written as a caption to this intimate pic shared between former lovers.
Griffith and Banderas later split, though the couple was blessed with one child together – Stella Banderas.
She continued to pursue acting roles, appearing in such movies as Two Much (2000) and Forever Lulu (2000); however, addiction problems threatened to derail her career. In 2003, after becoming sober again, Griffith made an incredible Broadway stage turn in Chicago; her role attracted packed houses and earned rave reviews from New York Times theater critics. This gave Griffith confidence to attempt another sitcom series called Twins (2005) but unfortunately, it was canceled after one season.
Griffith remains dedicated to charitable endeavors despite her professional setbacks, making numerous donations and receiving the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation Heart of the Future award in 2009. Additionally, she advocates environmental causes like fighting global warming.
Melanie Griffith’s Networth
Griffith is known for her charitable work, but she’s equally enthusiastic about real estate. Previously she owned a luxury Spanish-style villa above Sunset Strip in Los Angeles that she sold for $4 million; more recently she purchased a $7.9 million home in Aspen that sold for 6.5 million in 2015. Griffith also has several properties available to her but doesn’t wish to use dating apps or find partners that way; click through our gallery of beautiful properties owned by Griffith!
Married to Antonio Banderas (2000-2015)
Griffith is also an active philanthropist, supporting Tippi Hedren’s Shambala preserve as well as operating her non-profit for burned children. Additionally, she regularly makes appearances at red-carpet events and charity functions to raise funds for causes like cancer research and children’s heart disease research. Griffith has three children from her two marriages – daughter Dakota Johnson and Alexander Griffith Bauer from each, plus stepson Jesse from Hedren’s second husband Don Johnson.
“Working Girl,” directed by Mike Nichols and featuring Griffith as Tess McGill – an executive secretary who uses charm to take over her injured boss’ job – marked Griffith’s first real shot at fame and earned her several award nominations and even an Academy Nomination. Following that role, she went on to star in several more successful movies before her drug addiction issues and unwise movie projects became public knowledge and her fame faded considerably.
In 2000, she married Spanish actor Antonio Banderas and began a slow recovery from her troubled past. Under his care she regained her dignity and started picking up respectable roles again – her Broadway debut in 2003’s Chicago was an unexpected smash hit that packed houses and earned critical acclaim; its performance renewed her confidence, leading her to land roles showcasing both sides of her acting repertoire: from murderess in Twins to mother in Viva Laughlin.
Though their couple divorced in 2014, it was described as amicable and mutually supportive; they remain close. She gave birth to Stella del Carmen with Banderas in 1996. Since then, the happy family has shared interests such as meditation and spirituality – following Siddha Yoga spiritual path guided by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda for spiritual guidance – they introduced both daughters Clara Maria is now known as Priya while Sofia Macarena has adopted new Buddhist alter egos: Priya Priya and Sophia Sindhu respectively.
Couple shares many interests. Together they have also collaborated on designing handbags for fashion brand Loewe and own homes in Aspen and Los Angeles respectively. Both also love horses; one even keeps a stable of them at their property in Aspen!
