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 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, coproduced and starred in, and The Eric Bana Show Live (1997), a variety show. His most enduring character from his early career is the typically aussie character of "Poida".

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 is reportedly one of several actors under consideration to play James Bond when Pierce Brosnan retires from the role.

Bana is married to Rebecca Gleeson. 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 Australia.

External links