Eric Martin Andrew BanadinovićAM (born 9 August 1968), known professionally asEric Bana (/ˈbænə/), is an Australian actor. He began his career in the sketch-comedy seriesFull Frontal before gaining notice in the comedy dramaThe Castle (1997) and the biographical crime filmChopper (2000).
After a decade of roles in Australian television shows and films, Bana gained Hollywood's attention for his performance in the war filmBlack Hawk Down (2001) and for playingBruce Banner in the superhero filmHulk (2003). He playedHector in the war epicTroy (2004), and took a leading role inSteven Spielberg's historical thrillerMunich (2005). In 2009, he played the villainNero in the science-fiction filmStar Trek, which was a critical and commercial success. Bana continued to work steadily in the 2010s, portrayingLieutenant CommanderErik S. Kristensen inLone Survivor (2013), and playing police SergeantRalph Sarchie in the horror filmDeliver Us from Evil (2014). In 2018, Bana played the title role in atrue crime miniseries,Dirty John. In 2020, he returned to Australia to star inoutback thrillerThe Dry.
Bana is the recipient of severalAustralian Film Institute awards and has performed distinctive lead and character roles across a wide spectrum of genres—from epics, to science fiction and action thrillers. In addition to acting, Bana is a motor-racing enthusiast, and has participated in various racing competitions in Australia. Bana was appointed Member of theOrder of Australia (AM) in the2019 Birthday Honours for his services to drama.
Eric Martin Andrew Banadinović was born on 9 August 1968 inMelbourne,Victoria. His father Ivan wasCroatian, born inZagreb, and worked as a logistics manager forCaterpillar Inc., and his German mother, Eleanor, was a hairdresser, originally from nearMannheim in Germany. He has one older brother, Anthony.[1] He has stated: "I have always been proud of my origin, which had a big influence on my upbringing. I have always been in the company of people of European origin".[2] He was raisedCatholic.[3]
Showing acting skill early in life, Bana began doing impressions of family members at the age of six or seven, first mimicking his grandfather's walk, voice, and mannerisms. In school, he mimicked his teachers as a means to get out of trouble.[5] As a teen, he watched theMel Gibson filmMad Max, and decided he wanted to become an actor.[4] He did not seriously consider a career in the performing arts until 1991, though, when he was persuaded to try comedy while working as a barman at Melbourne's Castle Hotel. His stand-up gigs in inner-city pubs did not provide him with enough income to support himself, however, so he continued his work as a barman and waiting on tables.[6][7]
In 1993, Bana made his television debut onSteve Vizard's late-night talk show,Tonight Live.[4] His performance gained the attention of producers from thesketch-comedy series,Full Frontal, who invited him to join the show as a writer and performer. During his four years on the show, Bana wrote much of his own material, and based some of his characters on members of his family. His impressions ofColumbo,Arnold Schwarzenegger,Sylvester Stallone,Tom Cruise, and Australian TV personalityRay Martin made Bana popular with the show's audience.[8] This success led him to record the comedy albumOut of Bounds in 1994 and to host his own television special, titledEric, in 1996. The show, a collection of sketches featuring everyday characters, prompted him to launch a sketch comedy seriesThe Eric Bana Show. The series, written and performed by Bana, featured skits, stand-up, and celebrity guests, but failed to attract a substantial audience and was cancelled after only eight episodes due to low ratings.[9] Even so, in 1997, he received aLogie Award for "Most Popular Comedy Personality" for his work on the show.[10]
In that same year, Bana made his film debut in the Australian filmThe Castle, which tells the story of a Melbourne-based family's struggles to keep their home by Melbourne's airport, as the airport authority force them to move. He was featured in a supporting role as Con Petropoulous, a kickboxing accountant who is the householder's son-in-law.The Castle was a surprise critical and financial success, earningA$10,326,428 at the box office in Australia.[4]
In 1997, despite his inexperience with dramatic roles, Bana was approached by directorAndrew Dominik to appear in the filmChopper (2000), a biographical film based on the life of infamous Australian criminalChopper Read. Dominik had been working on the project for five years, but was unable to find an actor to portray Read. Only after Read himself suggested Bana, having seen him perform a skit on television, did Dominik consider him for the part.[11]
For the role, Bana shaved his head, gained 14 kilograms (30 lb), and spent two days with Read to perfect his mimicry. During filming, he arrived on set at 4am and spent five hours being covered in Read's trademark tattoos.[12] In spite of the film's limited release outside of Australia, Bana's performance received positive reviews. American film criticRoger Ebert complimented Bana, stating that "in a comedian named Eric Bana the filmmakers have found, I think, a future star [...] He has a quality no acting school can teach you and few actors can match. You cannot look away from him".[4][13]Chopper was a critical and financial success in Australia, and was nominated for Best Film at theAustralian Film Institute Awards in 2001. Bana's performance won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor.[10]
In 2001, directorRidley Scott cast Bana as an American soldier in the filmBlack Hawk Down (2001). Scott, with a recommendation fromRussell Crowe and impressed by Bana's performance inChopper, did not require him to audition.[14] In the film, he playedSergeant First Class Norm "Hoot" Hooten, an eliteDelta Force soldier, who fights his way out of a battle inMogadishu, Somalia, after a mission to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord goes awry. Bana shed the weight he had gained forChopper and began an exercise regimen months before filming began. He also trained with Delta Force operators atFort Bragg, learning to fire weapons and clear rooms.[15] Between 2000 and 2001, Bana played Joe Sabatini inSomething in the Air, an Australian soap opera set in a small town. After two seasons, Bana left the show to focus on his Hollywood career.[16]
Bana's next project was 2002's low-budget Australian filmThe Nugget. A comedy, the film portrays the effect of instant wealth on three working-class men, and was released with moderate success in Australia. Bana read the script after filmingChopper in 2000, and was drawn to it because it reminded him of his childhood, and because he found its characters amusing and likable.[17] While filmingThe Nugget, Bana was offered the lead role of Bruce Banner in the film adaptation of the popularMarvel comic book seriesThe Incredible Hulk. Only after learning of directorAng Lee's involvement in the project did he consider the role.[15] Bana admired Lee for his work on the filmThe Ice Storm and agreed to work on the film before the final script was complete.[18] He said he was drawn to the film because "the character of Bruce Banner had dramatic potential", and was "a fairly non-traditional superhero".[18] AlthoughHulk (2003) received mixed reviews and was a moderate success at the box office, Bana's performance was highly praised: Jack Matthews ofNew York Daily News felt that Bana played the role of Bruce Banner "with great conviction".[19]
In 2003, he voicedhammerhead sharkAnchor in the critically and commercially acclaimed animatedPixar filmFinding Nemo.[20] In 2004, Bana co-starred withBrad Pitt andOrlando Bloom in the war epicTroy. He portrayedPrince Hector, leader of theTrojan forces battling against theGreek warriorAchilles. When he read the script, he was drawn to Hector because, "I really felt a lot for him. I felt he was just a wonderful character [...] Orlando I love to death, and we've worked together before and when he was cast as my younger brother, it was just a great feel and I hope that shows in the film."[21] Bana also had prepared for the role by taking lessons in sword training and learning to ridehorseback. AlthoughTroy's critical reaction was mixed,[22] the film was a financial success, grossing US$497 million.[23] Bana's portrayal was well received; Stella Papamichael of theBBC thought he was "magnetic",[24] andThe Washington Post'sDesson Thomson believed his "touching" performance.[25]
After the varied reception ofHulk andTroy, film critics questioned Bana's bankability in big-budget films. He responded inEmpire: "It's not like it [Hulk] was a flop. When you're on a long shoot, it is a long personal investment. If I wasn't happy with the end result, I'd be bloody upset, but in every case so far, I've been happy.Troy could take $50 and I wouldn't regret it."[26]
The following year, 2005, Bana co-starred withDaniel Craig andGeoffrey Rush inSteven Spielberg's controversial thrillerMunich. Bana played Avner, aMossad agent, who is ordered to track down and kill theBlack September terrorists thought to be responsible for themassacre ofIsraeli athletes at the1972 Summer Olympics.[27] The film garnered praise from critics,[28] and grossed $131 million worldwide. It was nominated for fiveAcademy Awards in 2006.[29] TheLos Angeles Times wrote that Bana as Avner "projects a combination of sensitivity and ruthlessness and [...] knows how to present a face for which worry is a new experience."[30]The Telegraph was equally impressed with Bana's emotional and "sublimely convincing" portrayal.[31]
In 2006, Bana was invited to join theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[32]Lucky You, a romantic comedy on which Bana worked before filmingMunich, was released in early 2007. In the film, he played Huck Cheever, a professional poker player who must overcome his personal problems to win a high-stakes tournament inLas Vegas.Lucky You was negatively received;[33] one critic opined that Bana's performance "simply isn't appealing enough to make us care if he succeeds or fails."[34] His next film was the Australian dramaRomulus, My Father (2007). The film, based onRaimond Gaita'smemoir of the same title, portrays a couple and their struggle in the face of adversity to raise their son. Upon release, the film was a critical success, and Bana's performance earned him a second Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor.[35]
Bana's next project was the historical dramaThe Other Boleyn Girl (2008). In this feature, he playedHenry VIII of England oppositeScarlett Johansson andNatalie Portman. Bana was surprised to be offered the role and admitted that he "probably would have just passed it on without even opening it" if it had been presented to him under a different title.[36] The following year, he co-starred withChris Pine andZachary Quinto in thescience fiction filmStar Trek. In the film, Bana playedNero, aRomulan mining ship captain who attempts to exact revenge onSpock, whom he blames for the destruction of his homeworld and its inhabitants. To prepare for the role, Bana shaved his head, and donned face tattoos; directorJ. J. Abrams was impressed with his villainous appearance.[37] The film was positively received,[38] and grossed over US$380 million worldwide.[39] Bana later recalled, "It was an unbelievable experience, and it's such a great group of actors", but he did not reprise his role in the2013 sequel, saying "It was just a one-time for me."[40]
In 2009, he also appeared in the science fictionThe Time Traveler's Wife,[41] based onAudrey Niffenegger's2003 novel of the same title. Directed byRobert Schwentke, the film starsRachel McAdams andRon Livingston. The story follows Henry DeTamble (Bana), a Chicago librarian with a paranormal genetic disorder that causes him to randomlytime travel as he tries to build a romantic relationship with Clare Abshire (McAdams), who would become his wife. While the film garnered mostly negative reviews,[42] the critic fromThe Sydney Morning Herald complimented the chemistry between Bana and McAdams: "Together they achieve an intimacy which does its best to distract you from the flaws in the script".[43]
Bana co-starred withAdam Sandler andSeth Rogen inJudd Apatow's 2009 feature about a famous comedian,Funny People, marking Bana's first appearance in an American mainstream comedy.[44] Rogen had cast Bana because he was a fan of his early television work, and impressed by his performance inMunich.[45]Peter Travers ofRolling Stone magazine gave the film 3½ out of 4 stars, and opined that Bana's performance showed "real comic flair".[46] Also in 2009 Bana directed and starred in the documentaryLove the Beast. It details his personal relationship with his first car, a Ford GTFalcon Coupe, and follows his progression as a car lover.[47] Along the way, he seeks guidance and wisdom from his three lifelong friends, as well as celebritiesJay Leno,Jeremy Clarkson andDr. Phil.[48] Lastly, Bana provided the voice of Damien, a Greek Australian, in the animationMary and Max (2009).[49]
In 2011, Bana played ex-CIA operative Erik Heller in the action thrillerHanna, starring alongsideSaoirse Ronan andCate Blanchett.[50] The film became a success for Bana as it opened at number two at the United States box office.[51] Several media outlets praised Bana's performance, with one critic describing it as having "a note of haunted soulfulness".[52][53] A year later, Bana starred in theDeadfall, a crime drama that follows two siblings who decide to fend for themselves after a failed casino heist. According toMetacritic, the film gained "mixed or average reviews,[54] but Andrew O'Hehir ofSalon magazine enjoyed Bana's "charismatic stone-cold killer character".[55]
Bana portrayedLieutenant CommanderErik S. Kristensen inLone Survivor (2013).[56] He said, "Pete Berg [the director] and I nearly worked together many, many years ago before anyone knew who I was and we stayed in contact [...] he called me and told me he was making the film and would like me to play the mission commander Kristensen, I just jumped at the chance. I love the story. I thought it could potentially make a compelling movie and I knew that Pete was the right person for the job".[57] Upon release,Lone Survivor grossed US$154.8 million at the worldwide box office.[58]Variety magazine thought that Bana was well cast,[59] and criticMick LaSelle praised the actors for being "convincing in their humanity, agony and ferocity".[60] Bana then appeared in the thrillerClosed Circuit (2013), alongsideRebecca Hall, as a lawyer, defending a Turkish man accused of planning a terrorist attack in London. Upon release, theChicago Reader critic thought Bana and Hall lacked chemistry.[61]
The following year, Bana starred asRalph Sarchie, a police sergeant who investigates paranormal cases, in the supernatural horrorDeliver Us from Evil.[62] The film was released on 2 July 2014 and grossed US$87.9 million worldwide.[63] Several critics disliked the film, including Donald Clarke ofThe Irish Times who thought Bana was miscast.[64][65] In 2016, he played Frank Bonneville, a struggling radio journalist inRicky Gervais'sSpecial Correspondents.[66] It premiered at theTribeca Film Festival, andNetflix bought the rights to stream the film on its platform.[67] Although reviews were largely negative,[68] one reviewer thought Bana "upstaged" Gervais and gave a watchable performance.[69] Bana also had a role inDisney'sThe Finest Hours (2016), playing Coast Guard warrant officer David Cluff.[70] In that same year, Bana played doctor Stephen Grene inThe Secret Scripture, based on the novel of thesame title bySebastian Barry. Although the film was poorly received,[71]Sandra Hall fromThe Sydney Morning Herald thought Bana's character showed "quiet intensity".[72]
On official identity documents he still has his birth surname, Banadinović.[2]
In 1995 while working on the television seriesFull Frontal, Bana began dating Rebecca Gleeson, a publicist with theSeven Network and daughter of thenChief Justice of New South Wales, and laterChief Justice of Australia,Murray Gleeson.[9] They married in 1997, after Bana proposed to her on a trip to the United States, which he won fromCleo Magazine after being named their "Bachelor of the Year" in 1996.[83][84] Bana and Gleeson have two children together; Klaus (born, 1999) and Sophia (born, 2002). Klaus has graduated from VCA studying film while Sophia completed 2 years of full-time dance and continues to pursue a degree part-time at University of Melbourne.[10] His sister-in-law is current High Court of Australia JudgeJacqueline Gleeson.[85]
Bana is a motor racing enthusiast, and participates in various racing competitions in Australia. At the age of 14, he wanted to leave school to focus full-time on becoming a motor mechanic, but his father convinced him to complete school, advising him to avoid making his hobby a job.[88] Bana purchased his first car, a1974 XB Ford Falcon coupé, at the age of 15 for A$1,100 and,[89] driving it, made his motor sport racing debut inTarga Tasmania 1996, a week-long race aroundTasmania.[90][91] In 2004, Bana purchased aPorsche 944 to compete in Australia's Porsche Challenge. Competing throughout 2004 he often finished in the top ten and in November, finished fourth at the Sandown event, a personal best.[92] On 21 April 2007, Bana crashed his 1974 XB Falcon Coupe in the 2007 Targa Tasmania rally; he and his co-driver were uninjured.[93] Bana appeared on the British motoring showTop Gear on 15 November 2009 as a guest for its "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment.[94]
Bana is a prominent fan ofAustralian rules football. His love of the sport began at a young age when his godfather took him to games to see theSt Kilda Football Club, his favourite team in theAustralian Football League (AFL). Bana has been seen at AFL games when he is back in Australia.[95][96] His love for St Kilda FC resulted in the club being featured in the filmFunny People and in Bana's promotion of the film in 2009, notably on NBC'sLate Night with Jimmy Fallon.[97] In 2010, Bana was named the "Saints Number One Ticket Holder".[1][98]
Bana with American service personnel inKuwait during a screening ofStar Trek
Bana is an ambassador forFather Chris Riley's charity for homeless young people,Youth Off The Streets, and has appeared with Riley in advertisements to support the organisation's annual appeal.[99] Bana is also an advocate for the Mental Illness Fellowship, which works to increase the awareness of mental illness in Australia. In 2004, he appeared in several high-profile advertisements for the fellowship.[100] Bana is also active in campaigns with the Australian Childhood Foundation and the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. Since 1995, he has participated in the Motorcycle Riders Association Toy Run in Melbourne, which raises money and toys for children in need at Christmas.[101]
In 2005 Bana narrated the documentaryTerrors of Tasmania about the endangeredTasmanian devil. The film followed the life of a female Tasmanian devil called Manganinnie and discussed the incurable facial cancer which threatens the survival of the species.[102] He has also worked withRSPCA Australia, donating money to animal shelters in Berlin while filmingTroy in 2004.[25][103]
In 2007 Bana introduced the episodeSome Meaning in This Life of the ABC-TV documentary seriesAustralian Story. The episode paid tribute to actressBelinda Emmett, who co-starred with Bana in the filmThe Nugget and died from cancer the previous year.[104]
During the2019–20 Australian bushfire season, Bana voiced a series of radio and television advertisements to support donations to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.[105]
^abRadoš, Ivica (12 March 2006)."Eric Bana: On the official documents I am still Eric Banadinović".Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Archived fromthe original on 3 March 2016.Kad na poštanskoj pošiljki vidim da piše Eric Bana, odmah pomislim kako u kuverti nije nešto važno. No, kad primim pošiljku na kojoj piše Eric Banadinović, znam da je riječ o nečemu službenom – rekao je Bana. ("When on the postal deliveries I see that it is written Eric Bana, I immediately know that in the envelope it isn't anything important. But when I receive the shipment that says Eric Banadinović, I know that it is about something official – said Bana.")
^Hawley, Janet (5 May 2007). "Lucky Eric".The Age.
^Lamont, Tom (15 November 2009)."Eric Bana: Me and my car".The Guardian.Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved1 January 2021.
^Cockrell, Eddie (11 March 2009)."Love The Beast".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved1 January 2021.
^Naulty, Matt (November 2004)."2004 November: Sandown".Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge's. Archived fromthe original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved12 July 2006.
^"Bana Becomes Saints Number One".Official AFL Website of the St Kilda Football Club. 25 June 2010.Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved19 June 2011.
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