Eric Bana
From Freepedia
Eric Bana (born August 9, 1968 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian actor. He was born Eric Banadinović to a German mother and a Croatian father. He originally dreamed of becoming a car mechanic and tried his hand in odd jobs, including tending bar, where he also did stand-up comedy.
Eric Bana began his career as a comedian, first coming to national attention in Australia the comedy sketch series Full Frontal. Later, he was the star and/or anchor for two short-running TV shows; the TV show Eric (1996), a sketch comedy show that he wrote, co-produced and starred in, and The Eric Bana Show Live (1997), a variety show. His most enduring character from his early career is "Poida", a typical Aussie male "bogan".
Aside from a small role in the Australian independent-hit The Castle in which he played a kickboxer, Bana disappeared from Australia's entertainment screens for several years, only to make a re-appearance in the gritty black comedy Chopper in 2000, about the infamous Australian underworld figure, Mark Brandon Read. Chopper garnered world-wide attention, and won three Australian Film Institute awards, including a "Best Actor" award for Bana.
After this, his international reputation grew, and he played a supporting role in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down and took the title role in Ang Lee's 2003 movie Hulk He also played prince Hector in the epic Troy (2004), based on Homer's Iliad. Bana will next be seen in Curtis Hanson's Lucky You, and was reported as being one of several actors under consideration to play James Bond after Pierce Brosnan retires from the role. The part of James Bond would eventually go to British actor Daniel Craig. Bana is also starring in Steven Spielberg's upcoming controversial film Munich. He has also signed on to star in Romulus, My Father which is due out in 2006.
Bana is married to Rebecca Gleeson, a former publicist with the Seven Network (the home of the TV series "Full Frontal"). Together they have a son, Klaus and a daughter, Sophia. They currently reside in Melbourne, Australia. Bana is a motor racing enthusiast and often races in his home country.
Selected Filmography
- Dragon Ball (2007)
- The Ultimate Team (2007)
- Lucky Luke (2007)
- Romulus, My Father (2006)
- Lucky You (2006)
- Munich (2005)
- Troy (2004)
- Hulk (2003)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- The Nugget (2002)
- Black Hawk Down (2001)
- Something in the Air (TV) (2000-2001)
- Chopper (2000)
- The Castle (1997)
- Eric (TV) (1997)
- Full Frontal (TV) (1993)
External links
- Eric Bana at the Internet Movie Database
- Eric Bana Central
- Bana's Management
- The Eric Bana Home Page
- Eric Bana Canada
- The Russian Eric Bana Fansite
- Eric Bana Archives
Sources
Categories: 1968 births | Australian actors | Australian comedians | Croatian diaspora | Film actors | People of Melbourne | Roman Catholics | Television actors | Voice actors
