Banderas says he's proud of Griffith

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Spanish-born actor Antonio Banderas says he is proud of his actress wife Melanie Griffith for checking herself into rehab when she realized it was necessary.

People.com quoted Banderas as saying on Wednesday's edition of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that Griffith has long battled an addiction to drugs and after six years of sobriety felt she needed additional help.

"Melanie has been addicted for many years and we always came out. We said it out loud. It was OK, we were never embarrassed of the situation, but what happened she was clean and sober for six years," Banderas said, explaining she started using painkillers about 18 months ago after undergoing several operations on her knee following a skiing accident.

"In March, she came to me and said, 'I'm feeling a little bit weak in my determination for this ... So I just thought to go to rehabilitation by myself,'" Banderas said. "So, the whole entire family is supporting her, and I am supporting her, and at this particular time more than ever. I'm very proud of her."

Banderas and Griffith have been married for 13 years.