‘Best thing that ever happened’: Antonio Banderas reflects on his heart attack

Antonio Banderas is having a bit of a moment right now—not only is he starring in the upcoming A24 biopic Tony, but he has also opened up about his 2017 heart attack, claiming it turned his entire outlook on its head. The man himself recently spoke to People about the day everything changed at his house in Surrey, the chaos that followed, and how it’s shaped the life he’s living now. If you thought celebrity revelations couldn’t get more frank, here’s your proof to the contrary.

My heart attack was the best thing that ever happened in my life. It was like somebody put glasses on me so I could see the reality that I didn’t see before.

The Heart Attack That Changed Everything

Banderas didn’t mince his words about just how much of a jolt this health scare gave him. Back in 2017, while at home in the British countryside, he suffered what could have been a catastrophic heart attack. According to his account, his long-time partner Nicole Kimpel immediately sprang into action with some aspirin (good on her), and paramedics rushed him to hospital where he ended up on the table with not one, but three stents put into his arteries. Clearly, survival makes you see things a bit sharper.

You always have in your mind that you're going to die. But then when you have it so close, it’s an unbelievably clear reminder of how stupid you are losing time over things that don’t deserve to be in your life.

Following all this, Banderas ditched cigarettes and packed up for his hometown, Málaga, in Spain—opting for sunshine and sea over Surrey drizzle, and, honestly, who could blame him?

Why He Said Yes to 'Tony'

The other big news for Banderas is his role in Tony, the Anthony Bourdain biopic set to hit cinemas this Friday, 7th August 2026. Banderas doesn’t play Bourdain himself—Dominic Sessa takes that spot, playing a young version of the late chef and travel writer. Instead, Banderas steps in as Bourdain’s mentor, Ciro Cozzi, a man with—according to Banderas—a fair bit of wisdom to impart, and reportedly someone who genuinely had something meaningful to say.

Banderas confessed he never met Bourdain, but he admired his show No Reservations for being about anything but ‘just cooking’—to him, it was more of an ode to life itself. Given Banderas owns eight restaurants himself, it’s hardly surprising he felt the pull.

• Tony arrives in UK cinemas on 7th August 2026 via A24
• Dominic Sessa stars as a young Anthony Bourdain
• Banderas plays Bourdain’s mentor, Ciro Cozzi

Apparently, turning down this project was never on the table for him: Banderas describes it as 'almost impossible to say no'.