Theater News

Antonio Banderas Named U.N. Goodwill Ambassador

Antonio Banderas
(© Tristan Fuge)
Antonio Banderas
(© Tristan Fuge)

Stage and screen star Antonio Banderas has been named a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against poverty, according to published reports.

In his new role, Banderas will focus on the Millennium Development Goals, a set of eight globally agreed targets that seek to halve world poverty by 2015 by combating hunger, disease, illiteracy, environment degradation, and discrimination against women. His work will be particularly focused on Africa and Latin America.

The performer starred on Broadway in Nine, receiving a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award. Among his many film credits are Evita, Shrek 2, The Mask of Zorro, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, and The House of the Spirits.

Banderas joins other UN Goodwill Ambassadors such as tennis star Maria Sharapova, Japanese actress Misako Kono, and Crown Prince Khaakon Magnus of Norway.