Antonio Banderas wishes Salma Hayek on her 60th birthday: 'Big hug from Málaga'
Synopsis
Antonio Banderas marked Salma Hayek's 60th birthday with a bilingual social media post and photo from his hometown of Málaga — a moment that spotlights one of Hollywood's most enduring off-screen friendships, spanning 'Desperado' to 'Puss in Boots'. Meanwhile, Hayek is reportedly on set for 'Grown Ups 3', and Banderas has a horror thriller lined up next.
Key Takeaways
Antonio Banderas wished Salma Hayek on her 60th birthday with a Spanish-language post and photograph shared from Málaga .
The two have collaborated on 'Desperado' , 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' , and the 'Puss in Boots' franchise.
Banderas's next project is horror action thriller 'Above & Below' , directed by Jesse V.
Hayek is reportedly shooting 'Grown Ups 3' alongside Adam Sandler , Kevin James , Chris Rock , and others.
Banderas made his film debut under director Pedro Almodóvar in 'Labyrinth of Passion' in 1982 .
Hollywood star Antonio Banderas took to social media to celebrate his longtime collaborator Salma Hayek's 60th birthday, sharing a heartfelt message and a photograph alongside a warm note written in Spanish. The gesture drew an affectionate response from fans of the pair, who have shared the screen across multiple iconic projects.
The Birthday Message
Banderas posted a picture with Hayek and wrote in Spanish: 'Querida amiga @salmahayek te deseo un maravilloso día de cumpleaños. Un fuerte abrazo desde Málaga. Happy birthday' — which translates to: 'Dear friend, wishing you a truly wonderful birthday! Sending you a big hug all the way from Málaga. Happy Birthday!'
The post, originating from Banderas's hometown of Málaga, Spain, underlined the enduring bond between the two stars, who have collaborated on films including 'Desperado', 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', and the 'Puss in Boots' animated franchise.
Banderas: Career at a Glance
Antonio Banderas made his acting debut on a small theatre stage in Málaga, where director Pedro Almodóvar spotted him and cast him in the screwball comedy 'Labyrinth of Passion' in 1982. A string of Almodóvar collaborations followed — 'Matador', 'Law of Desire', 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown', 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!', 'The Skin I Live In', and 'Pain and Glory'.
Banderas is next set to appear in 'Above & Below', a horror action thriller directed by Jesse V. Johnson, alongside Laura Marano, Christina Ochoa, Timothy V. Murphy, Louis Mandylor, and Jess Liaudin.
Hayek Busy with Grown Ups 3
Meanwhile, Salma Hayek is reportedly in production on 'Grown Ups 3', reuniting with franchise regulars including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, and Maria Bello, among others. According to reports, the third instalment will also introduce new faces including Julie Bowen, Deon Cole, Bailee Madison, and Shaquille O'Neal.
The original 'Grown Ups' (2010), directed by Dennis Dugan and written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, followed five lifelong friends who reunite after the death of their former basketball coach. The second instalment arrived in 2013.
A Friendship Built on Screen
The Banderas–Hayek pairing has long been a fan favourite, rooted in their chemistry across action and animation alike. Notably, the 'Puss in Boots' franchise extended their collaboration well beyond live-action, keeping both stars associated with one of Hollywood's most beloved animated characters. With Hayek turning 60 and Banderas's new thriller on the horizon, both stars remain firmly in the spotlight.
Point of View
From Robert Rodriguez's action films to DreamWorks animation. What mainstream coverage misses is the context: Hayek at 60 is arguably busier than ever, with a major ensemble comedy in production, while Banderas continues to take on genre work that keeps him commercially relevant. The birthday message is warm human interest, but the real story is two veterans of 1990s Hollywood still operating at the centre of major productions.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Antonio Banderas wish Salma Hayek on social media?
Antonio Banderas posted a bilingual birthday message and photograph to mark Salma Hayek's 60th birthday, calling her his 'dear friend' and sending a 'big hug from Málaga'. The two are longtime collaborators and friends.
Which films have Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek worked on together?
The pair have collaborated on 'Desperado', 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', and the 'Puss in Boots' animated franchise. Their on-screen partnership spans live-action and animation across more than two decades.
What is Antonio Banderas's next film?
Banderas is set to appear in 'Above & Below', a horror action thriller directed by Jesse V. Johnson. The film also stars Laura Marano, Christina Ochoa, and Timothy V. Murphy, among others.
What is Salma Hayek currently working on?
Hayek is reportedly in production on 'Grown Ups 3', alongside Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Maya Rudolph, among a large ensemble cast.
How did Antonio Banderas start his acting career?
Banderas began his career on a small theatre stage in Málaga, Spain, where director Pedro Almodóvar cast him in 'Labyrinth of Passion' in 1982. He went on to appear in several more Almodóvar films before crossing over to Hollywood.
