Eric Martin Andrew Banadinoviฤ (born 9 August 1968), known professionally asย Eric Bana, is an Australian actor, comedian, producer, and director. He began his career in the sketch-comedy seriesย Full Frontalย before gaining notice in the comedy-dramaย The Castleย (1997). He achieved critical recognition for starring in the biographical crime filmย Chopper(2000) and as theย titular characterย inย Hulkย (2003).
After a decade of roles in Australian television shows and films, Bana gained Hollywood's attention for his performance in the war filmย Black Hawk Downย (2001) and asย Bruce Bannerย in the superhero horror filmย Hulk(2003). He playedย Hectorย in the war epicย Troy (2004) and took a leading role inย Steven Spielberg's historical thrillerย Munichย (2005). In 2009, he played the villainย Neroย in the science-fiction filmย Star Trek, which was a critical and commercial success. Bana continued to work steadily in the 2010s, portrayingย Lieutenant Commanderย Erik S. Kristensenย inย Lone Survivor(2013) and playing police Sergeantย Ralph Sarchieย in the horror filmย Deliver Us from Evil(2014). In 2018, Bana played the title role in aย true crimeย miniseries,ย Dirty John. In 2020, he returned to Australia to star inย outbackย thrillerย The Dry.
Bana has received severalย Australian Film Instituteย awards and has performed distinctive lead and character roles across various genresโfrom epics to science fiction and action thrillers. In addition to acting, Bana is a motor-racing enthusiast and has participated in multiple racing competitions in Australia. Bana was appointed Member of theย Order of Australia(AM) in theย 2019 Birthday Honoursย for his services to drama.
