Blue silk trench dress by Opening Ceremony (price on request). Visit openingceremony.us. Jewelry, Griffith’s own.

Griffith first attracted attention as a young nymphet in Night Moves. Her most famous role, arguably, was as Tess McGill in Working Girl, for which she earned a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nod. Her marriage to Miami Vice heartthrob Don Johnson also helped catapult her star: The ’80s power couple was equivalent to today’s tabloid duo obsessions, and could often be found on the slopes of Ajax. Perhaps lesser known is a childhood spent with lions and tigers on the set of Roar, which starred her real-life family and documented their passion for wild cats. (She and her mother continue to raise awareness about the animals through Hedren’s Roar Foundation and Shambala Preserve.) Most recently, Griffith received rave reviews for her 2003 Broadway role as the murderess Roxie in Chicago, pleasing fans and critics with a poignant performance.

But at nearly 52, Melanie is focused on family. She splits her time between Aspen and Los Angeles with Banderas; their daughter, Stella; Dakota, her daughter with Johnson; and Alexander, her son from her former marriage to Steven Bauer. Jesse Johnson, son of Don and Patti D’Arbanville (and Dakota’s half-brother), is often in Aspen with them, too. Both Dakota and Jesse attended Aspen schools, and Griffith’s extended family has been part of our community for almost 20 years. In a relaxed interview, Griffith opened up about Banderas, their passion for skiing, aging gracefully and her desire to act again.

	TOP: Purple dress by BCBG Max Azria ($358). Available at Blu Phoenix, 404B East Hopkins Avenue, 970- 925-3085. 18k yellow-gold and orange-quartz chido cocktail bracelet by Gucci ($5,490). Gucci, 203 South Galena Street, 970-920-9150. 18k pink-gold parentesi cocktail earrings with diamonds, amethyst and green quartz by Bulgari ($7,900). Bulgari, 200 South Mill Street, 970-925-6225. Rings, Griffith’s own. BOTTOM: Monceau taupe silk jumpsuit by Catherine Malandrino ($2,000). Available at The Gallerie, 520 East Durant Avenue, 970-544-4893. Gold menari rectangular- link sautoir necklace by John Hardy ($5,000). Available at Chepita, 525 East Cooper Avenue, 970-925-2871. Long gold necklace by Bulgari (price on request). Bulgari, 200 South Mill Street, 970-925-6225.

ASPEN PEAK: Tell us about your first visit to Aspen. What initially brought you here?
MELANIE GRIFFITH: The first time I came to Aspen was in 1986 with Don. He didn’t have a house here yet, and we came for the weekend. I had no idea how to ski, but I loved it right off the bat—who doesn’t?! I lived here with Don from 1989 to 1995, and then Antonio and I bought our house here in 2001. I just couldn’t stay away. It took me a long time to get Antonio to Aspen, but once he started skiing he said, “Buy us a house.”

AP: We hear Antonio is quite the avid skier— this coming from town’s top ski pros. Do you take lessons with him, too?
MG: He’s passed me now; he’s much better than I am. He started skiing just eight years ago and he’s awesome.

AP: Besides skiing, what else do you and Antonio do together when in town?
MG: It depends on what season it is. We come every summer now, and we do a lot of hiking and biking. It’s so healthy in Aspen.

AP: When we talked with Dakota recently, she emphasized the impact growing up in Aspen and attending the community school had on her. How has Aspen impacted you?
MG: Coming from LA, Aspen is a more normal, homey, cozy, personal kind of place. You get to know everybody. The people are kinder, more interesting and more alive. In LA you don’t run into as many people, obviously. In Aspen you can walk around and see people, and it’s just lovely.

AP: Do your children get involved with Aspen’s local theatre productions?
MG: Stella was involved in the Jane Gottlieb production. Her best friend is Sofia Tulio, so whenever we’re in Aspen they’re always hanging out together. They did the theatre together, and she’ll probably do it again this summer.

AP: You have an extended family that’s extremely supportive. What’s the key to this happiness?
MG: We’ve healed enough from Don and my divorce that we’re all very close. Jesse is living with us in LA now. He’s been my stepson since he was four and I consider him my son. Not that Don and Kelly and Antonio and I hang out a lot, but we do sometimes, and the kids are all very close—it’s really beautiful.

AP: It’s been said that today’s 50 is the new 40, and 30 the new 20. What’s your secret to staying and feeling sexy?
MG: I thought 50 is the new 30! I don’t think feeling sexy ever goes away. I find now that I have to take really good care of myself. As long as you do that, stay positive and stay interested in different things, everything is good. I like being older. Mentally, I love it; physically, sometimes it’s a bit of a drag. But I just try and stay in really good shape and remain happy.

AP: You received rave reviews for your 2003 role on Broadway as Roxie in Chicago. Do you prefer theatre to film these days?
MG: I like them both equally; they’re two totally different monsters. I want to work again, but at the same time I feel I should have been around more for Alexander and Dakota, so I’m really here for Stella, who is going to be 13 this year. But I am getting frustrated not having a creative outlet, as far as movies and acting.

AP: Do you and Antonio ever discuss starring in a film or working on a project together?
MG: We decided a long time ago that it doesn’t really work if you are husband and wife to be in a film together. People know, and it’s a weird thing. I get distracted seeing couples, unless you can make it work, like Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy did playing against each other. If something really great came along maybe we would, but it’s not at the top of our list.

AP: You’re known for your beautiful, distinct voice. How is voice integral to acting?
MG: When I was starting out, a lot of people told me to change my voice. I took voice lessons and it never really worked. Now I thank God for that.

AP: How involved are you with your mother’s Roar Foundation and Shambala Preserve?
MG: I’m constantly trying to help my mother keep all the lions. It costs a half-million dollars a year to feed them and take care of them. It’d be nice if we could find a big endowment, because the tigers and lions are incredible animals. Shambala is beautiful and has done so much for all the wild cats that are brought into the United States. My mother is helping pass a bill that would prohibit people from selling the cats across state borders and hopefully stop the trafficking of the animals.

AP: You and Antonio take an active stance with several philanthropic organizations. What else are you currently engaged in?
MG: Angels at Risk, it’s new. It’s a great way to help teenagers with alcohol and drug addiction. I try to help out wherever I can, especially with what’s happening right now with the green movement. It may be more expensive to live green, but hopefully being good to the earth will become a little more commonplace and standard.

TOP 5
Melanie’s favorite places and things to do in Aspen
1. Relaxing at our house
2. Hiking the Hunter Creek Trail
3. Eating at Matsuhisa and Cache Cache
4. Shopping at PE 101 and Boogie’s
5. Shoe shopping at Bloomingbirds