(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Antonio Banderas says his happiest American moments have been treading the boards on Broadway.

The 50-year-old Spanish star has enjoyed a varied acting career, appearing in hits such as biographical musical Evita and adventure The Mask of Zorro.

Despite his movie successes, Antonio claims his best career memories stem from time spent on stage.

The actor is passionate about musical theatre, and in 2003 starred in Broadway musical Nine, for which he achieved vast critical acclaim.

"Some of them were bad. And some of them were good!" he replied, when Empire magazine asked about his choices over the past decade.

"I did theatre, on Broadway that was one of my dreams and it was very successful.

"Probably the happiest time that I have spent in the US was not in front of a camera, but on the stages of Broadway."

Antonio never believed his career would reach the great heights that is has. The actor used to consider international stardom as a wild fantasy.

"In Spain, Hollywood was a big word. Even bigger at that time than now because it was an impossible dream. It was something that we never expected. Hollywood was a joke among us. Aw, someday we'll see you in Hollywood!' It was a joke," he smiled. (C) Cover Media