While Antonio Banderas and his family have always been open with the Spanish press—with the exception of his daughter’s wedding, which was a private affair—some chapters of their family history remain nearly untouched. Everyone knows about the actor’s parents—customs commissioner José Domínguez Prieto and schoolteacher Ana Bandera Gallego—as well as his brother Javier, an avid sailing enthusiast. However, the figure of Stella del Carmen’s maternal grandfather, Peter Griffith, remains a mystery to many, even though his life was full of remarkable events and worthy of its own story.
Peter Griffith made history as the first husband of Tippi Hedren, the legendary muse of Alfred Hitchcock, who shone in films such as ‘The Birds’ and ‘Marnie.’ Their paths crossed in their youth. He was an aspiring advertising agent, she an up-and-coming film star. Sparks flew between them on the set of the series ‘The Aldrich Family.’ They received their marriage license in New York on October 24, 1951—just a day before Peter turned eighteen. After his service in the Korean War, the couple married, and in 1957 they welcomed their only child together—the future celebrity Melanie Griffith. Unfortunately, their marriage fell apart just three years later.
Peter’s personal life was no less vibrant than that of his famous ex-wife. After divorcing Hedren, he found happiness with model Nanita Greene, who gave him two more children. Their daughter Tracey initially followed in her half-sister’s footsteps and became an actress, but later found her calling in culinary arts and painting. Their son Clay built his career in film as a production designer. Subsequently, Peter married three more times: to Marianne, a clothing store owner; to Daryl, with whom he lived from 1980 to 1998; and finally to Debra Meyer Boyd. Their wedding took place in 2000, shortly before he passed away.
Griffith’s career path was also winding. He did not limit himself to advertising work and occasionally appeared on the big screen. Among his film credits are a role in John Carpenter’s cult horror film “Halloween” as well as parts in movies of the 1940s. After selling his advertising agency in New York, he successfully shifted to real estate and even took up cattle ranching, demonstrating remarkable business acumen.
Peter Griffith passed away in May 2001 at a hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the age of 67. The official cause was complications from emphysema, although there were rumors about a brain tumor, which the family chose not to comment on. Melanie Griffith learned of her father’s death while attending the Cannes Film Festival. In her acceptance speech, she could not hold back tears as she recalled his proud smile. Without a doubt, the memory of her grandfather was with his granddaughter Stella del Carmen on her wedding day, just as thoughts were with her famous grandmother Tippi Hedren, who, at 95, is battling dementia.
