biography

Third time lucky is Melanie Griffith's opinion of marriage. Born August 9, 1957 in New York, Griffith's first marriage was to Don Johnson at the age of 18. This marriage lasted until she was 19. At some time in the 1980s Melanie had a relationship with Steven Bauer (born Ricky Echaveria in Havana, Cuba) which produced a son Alexander. Then in 1989 she attempted marriage to Don once again. By 1996 the marriage once again failed after many separations and reconciliations. In May of 1996 Griffith has finally found love in Spanish heart throb Antonio Banderas.

Banderas has proven to be Griffith's answer to kicking the drug habit. For years Griffith's has struggled with alcohol and drug usage. In 1988 Griffith entered a detox clinic in an attempt to clean up the drug problem. The stability of her home life with Banderas has been beneficial in this regard. Banderas has helped introduce producing credits to her resume.

Despite the drug problem, Griffith's early career in such movies as Night Moves (at age 18), Body Double (1984), Something Wild (1986), Working Girl (1988) were successful. In fact Working Girl got her an Oscar nomination. Her latest efforts include Too Much (1996), Mulholland Falls (1996), Celebrity (1998), Another day in Paradise (1998) and Crazy in Alabama (1999) proved to be less than fulfilling.

Griffith's is currently breaking into the small screen scene. She has been applying her talents to sitcom's on NBC. This career move was made in an effort to remain close to home and her three year old daughter Stella del Carmen. So far things are not taking off. A she state that directors are more interested in 27 year old's than 41 year old's. Other roles she has in 2000 are in Cecil B. Demented, Loving LuLu and Tart. For Loving Lulu and Tart, Griffith is also the producer.

Griffith's is the mother of three children, Alexander, Dakota, and Stella del Carmen. Griffith's mother was the actress Tippi Hendren who is known for her work in Alfred Hitchcock thrillers and her father is Phillip Griffith. Griffith has a half sister who is also acts, Tracey Griffith.