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An accomplished dramatic actor and comedian, he received Australia's highest film and television awards{{Fact|date=March 2008}} for his performances in ''Chopper'' and ''Full Frontal''. Bana performs predominantly in leading roles in a variety of low-budget and major studio films, ranging from [[Romantic comedy film|romantic comedies]] and [[drama]] to [[science fiction]] and [[Action movie|action]] thrillers. His most popular films include ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'' (2001), ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]'' (2003), ''[[Troy (film)|Troy]]'' (2004), and ''[[Munich (film)|Munich]]'' (2005). |
An accomplished dramatic actor and comedian, he received Australia's highest film and television awards{{Fact|date=March 2008}} for his performances in ''Chopper'' and ''Full Frontal''. Bana performs predominantly in leading roles in a variety of low-budget and major studio films, ranging from [[Romantic comedy film|romantic comedies]] and [[drama]] to [[science fiction]] and [[Action movie|action]] thrillers. His most popular films include ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'' (2001), ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]'' (2003), ''[[Troy (film)|Troy]]'' (2004), and ''[[Munich (film)|Munich]]'' (2005). |
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==Biography== |
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===Early life and family=== |
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Bana was born in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]], the younger of two children. His [[Croatian]] father, Ivan, was a logistics manager for [[Caterpillar, Inc.]], and his [[Germany|German]]-born mother, Eleanor, was a hairdresser. Bana grew up in Melbourne's [[Tullamarine, Victoria|Tullamarine]], a suburban area on the western edge of the city, near the airport. |
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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 to get out of trouble.<ref>"Eric Bana". ''Marie Claire''. March 2002.</ref> As a teen he watched the [[Mel Gibson]] film ''[[Mad Max]]'' (1979), and decided he wanted to become an actor.<ref name="BIO">Dominic Wills. [http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/eric_bana_biog.html Eric Bana - Biography]. ''Tiscali Film & TV''. Retrieved [[May 13]], [[2006]].</ref> However, he did not seriously consider a career in the [[performing arts]] until 1991 when he was persuaded to try [[stand-up 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, so he continued his work as a barman, clearing tables.<ref name="Banks">Tony Johnson. "Bana Banks on Banter". ''Sunday Herald Sun - TV Extra''. [[June 19]], [[1994]].</ref><ref>Melinda Houston. [http://www.geocities.com/ericbanaonline/sundaylife.html Eric's Eureka]. ''Sunday Life''. [[September 29]], [[2002]]. Retrieved [[May 13]], [[2006]].</ref> |
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===1993-1997=== |
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In 1993, Bana made his television debut on [[Steve Vizard]]'s late night talk show, [[Tonight Live with Steve Vizard|Tonight Live]].<ref name="BIO2">[http://www.spybroken.com/bana/bio.php Biography]. ''Eric Bana Central''. Retrieved [[May 13]], [[2006]].</ref> His performance gained the attention of producers from the [[sketch comedy]] series, ''[[Full Frontal (TV 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 of [[Columbo]], [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], [[Sylvester Stallone]], and [[Tom Cruise]] made Bana popular with the show's audience.<ref>Darren Devlyn. "First Impressions". ''TV Weekly''. [[February 10]], [[1993]].</ref> This success led to his own television special titled ''Eric'' in 1996. The show, a collection of sketches featuring everyday characters, prompted him to launch a sketch comedy series ''The 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.<ref name="BIO2" /><ref name="Under">Kate Halfpenny. "Under the Gun". ''Who Magazine''. [[August 8]], [[2000]].</ref> Even so, in 1997, he received a [[Logie Award]] for "Most Popular Comedian" for his work on the show. |
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That same year, Bana made his film debut in the Australian movie ''[[The Castle (film)|The Castle]]'', which tells the story of a Melbourne-based family's struggles to keep their home by Melbourne's airport after the government and airport authorities force them to move. He was featured in a supporting comedic role as Con Petropoulous, a kickboxing accountant. ''The Castle'' was a surprise critical and financial success, earning [[Australian dollar|AU$]]10,326,428 at the box office in Australia.<ref name="BIO" /><ref>[http://www.moviemarshal.com/boxaus1997.html Movie Marshall - 1997 Australian Box Office Totals]. Retrieved [[November 11]], [[2006]].</ref> |
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===1997-2005=== |
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In 1997, in spite of his lack of experience in dramatic roles, Bana was approached by director [[Andrew Dominik]] to appear in the film ''[[Chopper (film)|Chopper]]'' (2000), a biopic based on the life of infamous Australian criminal [[Chopper 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.<ref>Christopher Strickland. "Director's Cut: Andrew Dominik's ''Chopper''". ''IF: Australia's Independent Film Magazine''. July 2000.</ref> |
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[[Image:Chopper-Bana.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Bana as Australian criminal [[Chopper Read]] in his breakthrough film role in ''[[Chopper (film)|Chopper]]'' (2000)]] |
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For the role, Bana shaved his head and gained thirty pounds<ref>"Chopping & Changing". ''Who Weekly''. [[October 22]], [[2001]].</ref> and spent two days with Read to perfect his mimicry. During filming he arrived on set at four in the morning and spent five hours being covered in Read's trademark tattoos.<ref name="BIO2" /> In spite of the film's limited release outside of Australia, Bana's performance received positive reviews. [[United States|American]] film critic [[Roger Ebert]] complimented Bana, stating that "in a comedian named Eric Bana the filmmakers have found, I think, a future star.<ref>Roger Ebert. [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20010601/REVIEWS/106010302/1023 Review of ''Chopper'']. [[June 1]], [[2001]]. Retrieved [[June 14]], [[2006]]</ref> He has a quality no acting school can teach you and few actors can match. You cannot look away from him".<ref name="BIO" /> ''Chopper'' was a critical and financial success in Australia, and was nominated for Best Film at the [[Australian Film Institute Awards]] in 2001. Bana's performance won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor. |
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In 2001, director [[Ridley Scott]] cast Bana as an American soldier in the film ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'' (2001). Scott, impressed by Bana's performance in ''Chopper'', did not require him to audition.<ref>Stacey Woods. "First Buzz: The Incredible Hulk". ''Elle Magazine''. February 2002.</ref> In the film he played Sergeant First Class Norm 'Hoot' Gibson, an elite [[Delta Force]] soldier, who fights his way out of a battle in [[Mogadishu]], [[Somalia]] after a mission to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord goes awry. Bana shed the weight he had gained for ''Chopper'' and began an exercise regimen months before filming began. He also trained with Delta Force operators at [[Fort Bragg, North Carolina|Fort Bragg]], learning to fire weapons and clear rooms.<ref name="Hits">Mark Hopkins. "Eric Hits Hollywood". ''GQ Magazine'' (Australian edition). April 2002.</ref> The film was met with positive reviews and was number one at the American box office for three weeks after it opened.<ref>[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_hawk_down/numbers.php Box Office and Rental History for Black Hawk Down]. ''RottenTomatoes.com''. Retrieved [[July 2]], [[2006]].</ref> |
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Bana's next project was the low-budget Australian film ''[[The Nugget]]'' (2002). 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 filming ''Chopper'' in 2000 and was drawn to it because it reminded him of his childhood and because he found its characters amusing and likable.<ref>[http://www.ericbana-archives.com/Articles-2002-03.html The Incredible Rise of Eric Bana]. ''What's On Weekly''. Retrieved [[May 31]], [[2006]].</ref> While filming ''The Nugget'', Bana was offered the lead role of Bruce Banner in the film adaptation of the popular [[comic book]] series ''[[Hulk (comics)|The Incredible Hulk]]''. Only after learning of director [[Ang Lee]]'s involvement in the project did he consider the role.<ref name="Hits" /> Bana admired Lee for his work on the film ''[[The Ice Storm (film)|The Ice Storm]]'' and agreed to work on the film before the final script was complete.<ref name="TNT">James Mootram. "Making it Big". ''TNT Magazine''. [[July 14]], [[2003]].</ref> He said he was drawn to the film because "the character of Bruce Banner had dramatic potential" and was "a fairly non-traditional superhero".<ref name="TNT" /> ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]'' (2003) was not a critical nor box office success, but Bana's performance was praised: Jack Matthews of the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' felt that Bana played the role of Bruce Banner "with great conviction".<ref>Jack Mathews. [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/moviereviews/story/94018p-85134c.html Beast for the Eyes]. ''New York Daily News''. [[June 20]], [[2003]]. Retrieved [[May 31]], [[2006]].</ref> Bana earned an Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films nomination for "Cinescape Genre Face of the Future" for the film. Bana decided not to return for the [[The Incredible Hulk (film)|2008 sequel]] as he viewed ''Hulk'' as a one-off opportunity, and was replaced by [[Edward Norton]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Adam Weeks | title = Bana talks The Incredible Hulk | publisher = Moviehole | date = [[2007-05-20]] | url = http://www.moviehole.net/news/20070520_bana_talks_the_incredible_hulk.html | accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Eric Bana 2 by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Bana at the premiere of ''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]'' in May 2007.]] |
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In 2004, Bana co-starred with [[Brad Pitt]] in the big-budget film ''[[Troy (film)|Troy]]''. In the film he played [[Hector|Prince Hector]], leader of the [[Troy|Trojan]] forces battling against the [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] warrior [[Achilles]]. Director [[Wolfgang Petersen]] offered him a role in the film after meeting with Brad Pitt, a fan of ''Chopper''.<ref>{{imdb name|0051509}} Retrieved [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref> The film was an international success, grossing [[United States dollar|US$]]364 million. In North America however, it earned considerably less, grossing less than US$133 million.<ref>[http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=troy.htm ''Box Office Mojo - Troy'']. Retrieved [[June 2]], [[2006]].</ref> |
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===2005-present=== |
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After the commercial failure of ''Hulk'' the previous year and the American box office disappointment of ''Troy'', critics questioned Bana's bankability in big-budget films. He responded in ''Empire Magazine'': "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."<ref>David Eimer. "Heroes of Troy: Eric Bana". ''Empire Magazine''. June 2004.</ref> |
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In 2006, Bana was invited to join the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref>[http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2006/06.07.01a.html "Academy Invites 120 to Membership"]. [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]. [[July 5]], [[2006]]. Retrieved [[August 7]], [[2007]].</ref> ''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]'', a [[Romantic comedy film|romantic comedy]] on which Bana worked before filming ''Munich'', was released in early 2007. In the film, he plays Huck Cheever, a professional [[poker]] player who must overcome his personal problems to win a high stakes tournament in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]. His next film was the Australian drama ''[[Romulus, My Father (film)|Romulus, My Father]]'' (2007). The film, based on [[Raimond Gaita]]'s memoir of the [[Romulus, My Father|same name]], portrays a couple and their struggle in the face of adversity to bring up their son. It was a critical success, and Bana's performance won him a second AFI award for Lead Actor;<ref>{{cite web|title=Romulus, My Father sweeps AFIs|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/06/2112084.htm|date=[[2007-12-06]]|work=ABC News|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> ''Inside Film Magazine'' called it "his best so far".<ref>[http://www.romulusmyfather.com.au/quotes.html Reviews]. romulusmyfather.com.au. Retrieved [[August 7]], [[2007]].</ref> |
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Bana recently appeared in ''[[The Other Boleyn Girl (film)|The Other Boleyn Girl]]'', a historical drama in which he plays [[Henry VIII of England]] opposite [[Scarlett Johansson]] and [[Natalie Portman]].<ref name="hsun">{{cite web | title=Herald Sun | work=King with his kid | url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19962156-28957,00.html | accessmonthday=July 31 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> He will also star as the [[villain]] Nero in the film ''[[Star Trek (film)|Star Trek]]''<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22563500-10388,00.html "Bana beams up to sci-fi role"]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Australia)|The Daily Telegraph]]''. [[October 11]], [[2007]]. Retrieved [[October 18]], [[2007]].</ref> and as Henry DeTamble in the film adaptation of ''[[The Time Traveler's Wife (film)|The Time Traveler's Wife]]''.<ref>Michael Flemming, Dave McNary. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963263.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 "New Line finds its cast on 'Time'"]. ''Variety''. [[April 17]], [[2007]]. Retrieved [[February 21]], [[2008]].</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
Revision as of 08:48, 11 March 2008
Eric Bana | |
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Born | Eric Banadinovich |
Spouse | Rebecca Gleeson (1997 – present) |
Eric Bana (born Eric Banadinovich; August 9, 1968) is an Australian film and television actor. He began his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series Full Frontal before gaining critical recognition in the biopic Chopper (2000). After a decade of critically acclaimed roles in Australian television shows and films, Bana gained Hollywood's attention by playing the role of American Delta Force Sergeant Norm 'Hoot' Gibson in Black Hawk Down (2001) and the lead role as Bruce Banner in the Ang Lee directed film Hulk (2003).
An accomplished dramatic actor and comedian, he received Australia's highest film and television awards[citation needed] for his performances in Chopper and Full Frontal. Bana performs predominantly in leading roles in a variety of low-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to science fiction and action thrillers. His most popular films include Black Hawk Down (2001), Hulk (2003), Troy (2004), and Munich (2005).
Personal life
In 1995, while working on the television series Full Frontal, Bana began dating Rebecca Gleeson, a publicist with the Seven Network and daughter of Chief Justice of Australia Murray Gleeson.[1] They married in 1997, after Bana proposed to her on a trip to the United States that he won from Cleo Magazine after being named "Bachelor of the Year" in 1996.[2] Bana and Gleeson have two children, a son Klaus (born July 1998), and a daughter Sophia (born April 2001). Since the birth of his son, Bana has limited his work to one film per year so he can spend time with his family at their home in Melbourne.[3]
Bana is a motor racing enthusiast, and participates in various motor racing competitions in Australia. At the age of fourteen, Bana 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.[4] Bana purchased his first car, a 1973 XB Ford Falcon coupé, at the age of fifteen for AU$1100[5] and driving it made his motorsport racing debut in 1996's Targa Tasmania, a week-long race around the island state of Tasmania.[6] In 2004, Bana purchased a Porsche 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 500, a personal best.[7] On April 21 2007 Bana crashed his 1974 XB Falcon Coupe in the Targa Tasmania rally. Neither he nor his co-driver was injured.[8]
Bana is also a prominent supporter of Australian rules football. His love of the sport began at a young age when his godfather took him to games to see the St Kilda Football Club, his favorite team.[9][10]
Charitable work
Bana is 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.[11] 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 needy children at Christmas.[12]
In 2005, Bana narrated the documentary Terrors of Tasmania about the endangered Tasmanian 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.[13] He has also worked with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, donating money to animal shelters in Berlin while filming Troy in 2004.[14]
Filmography
Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
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1993–1996 | Full Frontal | Various characters | Television series |
1997 | The Eric Bana Show | Various characters | Television series |
The Castle | Con Petropoulous | ||
2000 | Chopper | Chopper Read | Australian Film Institute Award - Best Actor |
Something in the Air | Joe Sabatini | Television series | |
2001 | Black Hawk Down | Sergeant First Class Norm 'Hoot' Hooten | |
2002 | The Nugget | Lotto | |
2003 | Finding Nemo | Anchor | Voice |
Hulk | Bruce Banner | ||
2004 | Troy | Hector | |
2005 | Munich | Avner | |
2007 | Lucky You | Huck Cheever | |
Romulus, My Father | Romulus | ||
2008 | The Other Boleyn Girl | King Henry VIII | |
The Time Traveler's Wife | Henry DeTamble | Post-production | |
Factor X | Ken Landwehr | Pre-production | |
2009 | Star Trek | Nero | Filming |
Further reading
- Donna Freydkin. 'Gentle Giant' Bana. USA Today. January 9, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2006.
- Mark Hopkins. "Eric Hits Hollywood". GQ Magazine (Australian edition). April 2002.
- Patrice Fidgeon and Celia Barnes. "Eric Goes Solo ". Woman's Day Magazine. October 28, 1996.
References
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Under
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Eric's Secret Love: Going Bananas". The New Post. March 1, 1997
- ^ Eric Bana – Biography. Lauren Bergman Management Pty Ltd. Retrieved July 3, 2006.
- ^ Transcript of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. June 17, 2003. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
- ^ Hawley, Janet (2007-05-05). "Lucky Eric". The Age Good Weekend.
- ^ Eric Bana Bloody Brilliant to the Targa in a 351 XB coupe. Street Machine. June 1996. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
- ^ Eric Bana Achives. Reproducing Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge's "2004 November: Sandown", Matt Naulty, November 2004. Retrieved July 12, 2006.
- ^ Actor Eric Bana crashes while competing in Australian rally. The LA Daily News. April 23, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ Leif Kramp. Eric Bana: "Wo bleiben die leichten Stoffe?". RP Online. January 24, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2006.
- ^ Donna Freydkin. 'Gentle Giant' Bana. USA Today. January 9, 2003. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
- ^ Mental Illness Fellowship Launches Biggest Ever Campaign with Support of Film Community. Mental Illness Fellowship of Victoria. September 29, 2004. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
- ^ Liam Houlihan. Toy Run 2004: Troy Boy Leads the Pack. News.com.au. December 12, 2004. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
- ^ Sympathy for the Devil. The Age. January 20, 2005. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
- ^ Monthly Journal: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. May 9, 2004. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
External links
- Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
- LaurenBergman.com.au – Bana's management