Her kids, Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson, had a tough time growing up, especially with Melanie going through a rough patch. Melanie’s mom, Tippi Hedren, was a big star too, famous for “The Birds.”
But here’s a really crazy fact: Melanie grew up with a pet lion named Neil! Yeah, you heard that right. They had a lion living with them in their house in the 1970s. Super risky, right? She even slept in the same bed as the lion sometimes. Wild!
Melanie’s love life was also pretty intense. She fell for Don Johnson when she was just 14, and they got married twice! Then she married Steven Bauer before getting back with Don Johnson. It’s like a soap opera, but real life.
In the 1980s, Melanie had a terrifying accident while filming a movie called “Roar.” She got mauled by a lion and needed surgery. Scary stuff!
But Melanie didn’t let that stop her. She kept acting and even got an Oscar nomination for “Working Girl.”
Her daughter Dakota Johnson followed in her footsteps and became an actress too. But Dakota’s childhood was rocky because of her parents’ divorces. She found stability and love with her stepdad, Antonio Banderas, who became like a real dad to her.
Melanie and Antonio eventually split, but they still have a strong bond. Melanie’s now focused on her family and writing her memoir. She’s also a cancer survivor and a big supporter of children’s hospitals.
Despite all the ups and downs, Melanie Griffith’s life is a testament to resilience and strength.