Name: Eric Bana
Birth Name: Eric Banadinovich
Birthdate: Aug. 9, 1968
Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
1-MINUTE RESUME FOR ERIC BANA
This Aussie heartthrob with a 6-foot-3-inch build and chiseled good
looks had no intention of being an actor. Obsessed with motor sports,
Bana yearned to turn pro. Instead, he turned to comedy, becoming one of
Australia's top funnymen, starring in his own self-titled sketch show.
His crossover to film came in 1997, playing a kick boxer in
The Castle. His portrayal of real-life psycho killer Mark "Chopper" Read in 2000's
Chopper earned him critical acclaim and the muscle to win a role in blockbuster
Black Hawk Down and the high-profile leads in Ang Lee's
The Hulk and Steven Spielberg's
Munich.
5 Things:
1. He began his career as a comedian while working as a barman at Melbourne's Castle hotel in 1991.
2. Brad Pitt personally requested Bana as a co-star for Troy because he was a huge fan of Chopper.
3. The actor gained almost 50 pounds for his role as the rotund, psychotic title character in Chopper.
4. The car and bike buff was once a motorsport driver.
5. Bana was the first choice to play Xander Cage in xXx, but turned it down to do The Nugget.
Quote:
On fame: "The only thing that may make me different from other people
is I have passionate interests outside of work. If I am not working,
the last thing I am interested in is people blowing smoke up my arse."
— AskMen.com
Family:
Wife: Rebecca, publicist; born 1967
Son:Klaus; born 1999
Daughter:Sophia; born 2002
Brother: Anthony Banadinovich, banker
FILMS
Star Trek - (2008) - Actor
The Other Boleyn Girl - (2008) - Actor
The Time Traveler's Wife - (2008) - Actor
Lucky You - (2007) - Actor
Munich - (2005) - Actor
Troy - (2004) - Actor
The Hulk - (2003) - Actor
Finding Nemo - (2003) - Voice
Chopper - (2001) - Actor
Black Hawk Down - (2001) - Actor
The Castle - (1997) - Actor
