Elizabeth Banks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Banks
Banks in 2019
Born	Elizabeth Irene Mitchell (1974-02-10) February 10, 1974 (age 51) Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Education	University of Pennsylvania (BA) American Conservatory Theater (MFA)
Occupation	Actress producer director
Years active	1998–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Max Handelman ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	2

Elizabeth Banks (born Elizabeth Irene Mitchell; February 10, 1974) is an American actress, director, and producer. She is famous for her roles in popular movies. These include playing chaperone Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games film series (2012–2015). She was also an ICCA commentator in the Pitch Perfect film series (2012–2017).

Elizabeth Banks made her first movie as a director with Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). This movie earned a lot of money on its opening weekend. It set a record for a first-time director. She has also directed the action comedy Charlie's Angels (2019). Her horror comedy film ... Bear (2023) was also a hit. Banks started her own film and TV production company, Brownstone Productions, in 2002. She co-founded it with her husband, Max Handelman.

On television, Banks had a recurring role as Avery Jessup on the NBC show 30 Rock (2010–2012). This role earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She also appeared often on Scrubs (2006–2009) and Modern Family (2009–2020). Her work on Modern Family earned her another Emmy nomination. Since 2019, Banks has hosted the ABC game show Press Your Luck.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Banks was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She grew up there as the oldest of four children. Her father worked in a factory, and her mother worked at a bank. She has said her family background was a mix of Irish, WASP, and Catholic.

As a child, Banks enjoyed playing baseball and riding horses. She was in Little League when she broke her leg. After that, she tried out for a school play. This was how she first started acting.

She finished Pittsfield High School in 1992. She then went to the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1996 with a degree in communications and theater arts. In 1998, she earned her master's degree from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California.

Career Highlights

Starting Her Acting Journey

Banks at the Spider-Man 3 premiere in 2007

Elizabeth Banks changed her name when she joined the Screen Actors Guild. This was because another actress named Elizabeth Mitchell was already registered.

She made her acting debut in the 1998 independent film Surrender Dorothy. Over the next few years, she appeared in several films. These included Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and Seabiscuit (2003).

In 2002, Banks started her own production company. It is called Brownstone Productions. She started it with her future husband, Max Handelman.

Banks became more widely known after her role in the 2005 comedy film The 40-Year-Old Virgin. She also had a recurring role on the NBC sitcom Scrubs starting in 2006. She played Dr. Kim Briggs, a love interest for the main character, J.D.

Big Roles and Directing Success

In 2006, Banks starred in the football drama Invincible. She played Mark Wahlberg's love interest. They were even nominated for "Best Kiss" at the MTV Movie Awards. That same year, she had a lead role in the comedy-horror film Slither.

In 2007, Banks played the main female role in the comedy film Meet Bill. She also had a small part in the Christmas comedy Fred Claus.

Banks at the What to Expect When You're Expecting premiere in 2012

In 2009, Banks appeared in the horror film The Uninvited. This movie was a remake of a South Korean film. Banks played Rachel, an intrusive stepmother. She wanted her character to be interpreted in different ways by the audience.

Banks has often worked with actor Tobey Maguire. They have appeared in five films together. These include Spider-Man and its sequels.

She also had a recurring role on the sitcom 30 Rock. She played a love interest for Jack Donaghy, played by Alec Baldwin. Her performance earned her an Emmy nomination.

In 2012, Banks starred in the romantic comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting. She also appeared in the action film Man on a Ledge. She then starred as Gail Abernathy-McKadden in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect. This movie was very successful. The next year, she directed and starred in parts of Movie 43.

Banks starred in the science fiction adventure film The Hunger Games (2012). She played Effie Trinket. Effie is a woman from "The Capitol" who guides the tributes to the annual Hunger Games. Banks played this role again in the sequels: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014), and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015).

In 2014, she voiced the character Wyldstyle in the animated film The Lego Movie. Elle Magazine recognized Banks in 2014 for her achievements in film.

Directorial Debut and Recent Work

After producing and starring in Pitch Perfect (2012), Banks directed its sequel, Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). This was her first time directing a feature film. She also co-produced and starred in Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017).

Banks played Melinda Ledbetter Wilson in the 2015 movie Love & Mercy. This film was about the life of musician Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys.

In 2015, she was a judge at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. Banks also became a spokesperson for Realtor.com and Old Navy. She played the space alien Rita Repulsa in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot film.

Banks speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2018, Banks co-starred in the comedy film The Happytime Murders. In 2019, she voiced Lucy / Wyldstyle again in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. She then starred as Tori Breyer in the superhero horror film Brightburn.

Banks spoke at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. There, she promoted The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and released its trailer with her co-stars.

In May 2019, ABC announced Banks as the host of the game show Press Your Luck. She also produces the show. Banks directed, produced, wrote, and starred in the action comedy film Charlie's Angels (2019). In 2020, she starred as feminist Jill Ruckelshaus in the FX miniseries Mrs. America.

In November 2019, it was announced that Banks would star in, direct, and produce a new film. It is an adaptation of The Invisible Woman (1940). In June 2020, it was announced Banks would play Ms. Frizzle in a live-action/animated movie of The Magic School Bus. She will also produce it through her company.

In May 2021, Peacock announced that Banks would direct and star in the TV series Red Queen. This show is based on the dystopian novel. In January 2022, Banks was cast in the film The Beanie Bubble.

Personal Life

Banks during a USO visit at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in 2015

Banks met her husband, Max Handelman, on her first day of college in 1992. They got married in 2003. They have two sons. Both of their sons were born through surrogacy. Banks has shared that she was unable to carry her own children. She chose surrogacy to have her sons. She feels grateful if her story helps others who are on a similar journey.

Banks has explored conversion to Judaism, her husband's faith. She has studied with rabbis. In 2013, she said she practices Judaism. She feels she is "as Jewish as I'm ever going to be."

Political Views

Banks supported Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. She was part of a song performance with other celebrities at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She has also stated that she is a feminist.

In September 2020, Banks encouraged her Instagram followers to contact VoteRiders. This organization helps people get information about voter ID requirements.

Filmography

Elizabeth Banks has over 250 credits in films, television shows, and video games.

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Elizabeth Banks para niños