Eric Bana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eric Bana AM
Bana in 2009
Born	Eric Martin Andrew Banadinović (1968-08-09) 9 August 1968 (age 56) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation	Actor comedian producer director
Years active	1993–present
Spouse(s)	Rebecca Gleeson ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	2
Relatives	Murray Gleeson (father-in-law) Jacqueline Gleeson (sister-in-law)

Eric Bana (born August 9, 1968) is an Australian actor, comedian, producer, and director. He started his career in comedy on the TV show Full Frontal. He then became well-known for his acting in the film The Castle (1997).

Eric Bana gained more fame for his role in the movie Chopper (2000). He also played the main character in the superhero film Hulk (2003). After working in Australian TV and films for ten years, Hollywood noticed him. He starred in the war film Black Hawk Down (2001).

He played Hector in the epic movie Troy (2004). He also had a big role in Steven Spielberg's thriller Munich (2005). In 2009, he played the villain Nero in the science-fiction film Star Trek. This movie was very successful.

Bana continued to act in the 2010s. He played Lieutenant Commander Erik S. Kristensen in Lone Survivor (2013). He was also police Sergeant Ralph Sarchie in the horror film Deliver Us from Evil (2014). In 2018, Bana played the main role in the TV miniseries Dirty John. In 2020, he returned to Australia to star in the thriller The Dry.

Eric Bana has won several Australian Film Institute awards. He has played many different kinds of characters in movies. These include epic films, science fiction, and action thrillers. Besides acting, Bana loves motor racing. He has taken part in many races in Australia. In 2019, he was given the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for his work in drama.

Early Life and Education

Eric Banadinović was born on August 9, 1968, in Melbourne, Victoria. His father, Ivan, was Croatian and worked as a logistics manager. His German mother, Eleanor, was a hairdresser. Eric has one older brother named Anthony. He has said he is proud of his background. It greatly influenced how he grew up. He was raised Catholic.

Bana grew up in Tullamarine, a suburb of Melbourne. He went to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School.

Eric showed acting talent from a young age. When he was six or seven, he started doing impressions of his family. He would copy his grandfather's walk and voice. At school, he would mimic his teachers. As a teenager, he watched the Mel Gibson film Mad Max. This made him want to become an actor.

He didn't seriously think about acting until 1991. He was working as a barman in Melbourne. Friends encouraged him to try comedy. His stand-up comedy shows in pubs did not earn him enough money. So, he kept working as a barman and waiting tables.

Career Highlights

Starting in Comedy (1993–1997)

In 1993, Eric Bana first appeared on TV. It was on Steve Vizard's talk show, Tonight Live. His performance caught the eye of producers from the sketch comedy show Full Frontal. They asked him to join as a writer and performer.

For four years on the show, Bana wrote much of his own material. Some of his characters were based on his family. His impressions of Columbo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Cruise made him popular. This success led him to record a comedy album in 1994. He also hosted his own TV special called Eric in 1996.

This special led to his own sketch comedy series, The Eric Bana Show. Bana wrote and performed in it. The show had skits, stand-up comedy, and celebrity guests. However, it did not attract many viewers. It was cancelled after only eight episodes. Even so, in 1997, he won a Logie Award for "Most Popular Comedy Personality."

In the same year, Bana made his film debut. It was in the Australian movie The Castle. The film is about a family fighting to keep their home near Melbourne's airport. Bana played a supporting role as Con Petropoulous. He was a kickboxing accountant and the family's son-in-law. The Castle was a big success.

Hollywood Breakthrough (1998–2004)

In 1997, director Andrew Dominik asked Bana to be in the film Chopper (2000). This was surprising because Bana had little experience with serious acting roles. The film was about the famous Australian criminal Chopper Read. The director had struggled to find an actor for Read. Read himself suggested Bana after seeing him in a TV skit.

For the role, Bana shaved his head and gained 30 pounds (13 kg). He spent two days with Read to learn his mannerisms. During filming, he spent hours getting Read's tattoos painted on him. Even though the film was not widely released, Bana's acting received great reviews. Critic Roger Ebert called Bana "a future star." Chopper was a success in Australia. Bana won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor.

In 2001, director Ridley Scott cast Bana in the film Black Hawk Down. Scott was impressed by Bana's acting in Chopper. He did not even ask Bana to audition. Bana played Norm 'Hoot' Hooten, an elite Delta Force soldier. He fights his way out of a battle in Mogadishu, Somalia. Bana lost the weight he gained for Chopper. He also trained with Delta Force soldiers.

Between 2000 and 2001, Bana played Joe Sabatini in Something in the Air. This was an Australian soap opera. After two seasons, Bana left to focus on Hollywood.

Bana's next film was the 2002 Australian comedy The Nugget. It showed how sudden wealth affected three working-class men. Bana liked the script because it reminded him of his childhood.

While filming The Nugget, Bana was offered the lead role in Hulk. This was a movie based on the Marvel Comic book. He only considered the role after learning Ang Lee was directing. Bana admired Lee's work. He agreed to the film because the character of Bruce Banner had "dramatic potential." Hulk (2003) received mixed reviews. But Bana's performance was highly praised.

In 2003, he voiced hammerhead shark Anchor in the animated Pixar film Finding Nemo. In 2004, Bana starred with Brad Pitt in the war epic Troy. He played Prince Hector, leader of the Trojan forces. He fought against the Greek warrior Achilles. Bana prepared by taking sword lessons and learning to ride horses. Troy was a financial success, earning US$497 million. Bana's acting was well-received.

Historical Films and Star Trek (2005–2010)

In 2005, Bana starred with Daniel Craig in Steven Spielberg's thriller Munich. Bana played Avner, a Mossad agent. He is ordered to find and kill terrorists responsible for the massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The film was praised by critics. It earned $131 million worldwide. It was nominated for five Academy Awards.

In 2006, Bana was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Lucky You, a romantic comedy, was released in 2007. Bana played Huck Cheever, a professional poker player. The film was not well-received. His next film was the Australian drama Romulus, My Father (2007). Bana's performance earned him another Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor.

Bana's next project was the historical drama The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). He played Henry VIII of England with Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman.

The following year, he starred in the science fiction film Star Trek. Bana played Nero, a Romulan mining ship captain. Nero seeks revenge on Spock. To prepare, Bana shaved his head and got face tattoos. Director J. J. Abrams was impressed by his villainous look. The film was very successful. Bana later said it was an "unbelievable experience." He did not return for the 2013 sequel.

Star Trek premiere at Sydney Opera House, 2009

In 2009, he also appeared in the science fiction film The Time Traveler. He played Henry DeTamble, a librarian who randomly time travels. He tries to build a relationship with Clare Abshire.

Bana at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival

Bana co-starred with Adam Sandler in Judd Apatow's 2009 comedy Funny People. This was Bana's first American mainstream comedy. Critic Peter Travers said Bana showed "real comic flair." Funny People did not do well financially. Also in 2009, Bana directed and starred in the documentary Love the Beast. It is about his personal relationship with his first car. Bana also voiced Damien in the animation Mary and Max (2009).

Career Progression (2011–Present)

In 2011, Bana played Erik Heller in the action thriller Hanna. He starred with Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett. The film was a success. Many media outlets praised Bana's performance. A year later, Bana starred in Deadfall. This crime drama follows two siblings after a failed casino heist.

Bana played Lieutenant Commander Erik S. Kristensen in Lone Survivor (2013). He loved the story and wanted to be part of it. Lone Survivor earned US$154.8 million worldwide. Bana then appeared in the thriller Closed Circuit (2013). He played a lawyer defending a man accused of a terrorist attack.

The next year, Bana starred as Ralph Sarchie in the horror film Deliver Us from Evil. Sarchie is a police sergeant who investigates paranormal cases. The film was released in 2014. In 2016, he played Frank Bonneville in Ricky Gervais's Special Correspondents. Bana also had a role in Disney's The Finest Hours (2016). He played Coast Guard officer David Cluff. In the same year, Bana played Dr. Stephen Grene in The Secret Scripture.

In 2017, Bana played Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. In the same year, Bana starred in the British drama The Forgiven. He played the murderer Piet Blomfield. In 2018, Bana played John in the miniseries Dirty John. This show was based on a true crime podcast. Bana is very careful about choosing his roles.

In 2021, Bana starred in the mystery drama The Dry. He also voiced zookeeper Chaz in the animation Back to the Outback. In 2022, he voiced Monterey Jack in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. He also appeared in the drama Blueback.

Personal Life

Eric Bana's birth name, Banadinović, is still on his official documents.

In 1995, while working on Full Frontal, Bana started dating Rebecca Gleeson. She was a publicist and the daughter of a judge. They married in 1997. Bana had won a trip to the United States. He won it after being named "Bachelor of the Year" by Cleo Magazine in 1996.

Bana and Gleeson have two children. Their son, Klaus, was born in 1999. Their daughter, Sophia, was born in 2002. Klaus has studied film. Sophia has studied dance. Bana's sister-in-law is a judge.

In 2019, Bana was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for his services to drama.

Interests and Hobbies

Bana loves motor racing. He takes part in many races in Australia. When he was 14, he wanted to leave school to become a mechanic. But his father told him to finish school. He advised him not to make his hobby his job.

Bana bought his first car, a 1974 XB Ford Falcon coupé, at age 15. He paid A$1,100 for it. He made his racing debut in 1996 in Targa Tasmania. This is a week-long race around Tasmania. In 2004, Bana bought a Porsche 944 to race in Australia's Porsche Challenge. He often finished in the top ten. In 2007, Bana crashed his 1974 XB Falcon Coupe in a rally. He and his co-driver were not hurt. Bana appeared on the British motoring show Top Gear in 2009.

Bana is a big fan of Australian rules football. His love for the sport started when he was young. His godfather took him to games to see the St Kilda Football Club. This is his favorite team. Bana is often seen at games when he is in Australia. His love for the team led to the club being shown in his film Funny People. In 2010, Bana was named the "Saints Number One Ticket Holder."

Charity Work

Bana with American service personnel in Kuwait during a screening of Star Trek

Bana is an ambassador for Father Chris Riley's charity. This charity helps homeless young people. It is called Youth Off The Streets. Bana has appeared in ads to support the charity. Bana also supports the Mental Illness Fellowship. This group works to raise awareness of mental illness in Australia. In 2004, he appeared in ads for the fellowship.

Bana also helps with campaigns for the Australian Childhood Foundation. He supports the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. Since 1995, he has taken part in the Motorcycle Riders Association Toy Run in Melbourne. This event raises money and toys for children in need at Christmas.

In 2005, Bana narrated the documentary Terrors of Tasmania. It was about the endangered Tasmanian devil. The film talked about a facial cancer that threatens the species. He has also worked with RSPCA Australia. He donated money to animal shelters in Berlin while filming Troy in 2004.

In 2007, Bana introduced an episode of the ABC-TV documentary series Australian Story. The episode honored actress Belinda Emmett. She co-starred with Bana in The Nugget. She died from cancer the year before.

During the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, Bana voiced radio and TV ads. These ads asked for donations to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Game Roles

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Eric Bana in 2009

See also

In Spanish: Eric Bana para niños