Eric Bana is an Australian actor and comedian. Born as Eric Martin Andrew Banadinovic on August 9, 1968, he came into the limelight as an actor. Eric began his career in sketch comedy in Full Frontal before he landed a role in the comedy-drama, The Castle.
Bana began acting in film in 2000 after he landed a role in Chopper. Bana’s first decade in the entertainment sector was majorly based in Australia. After some time, he attracted Hollywood’s attention. This came after he acted in Black Hawk Down in 2001.
He was invited to act in more films, which enabled him to establish his presence in the acting sector. He has also had a famous role in Star Trek as the film’s villain Nero, making him more recognized.
Net Worth
Eric Bana is among the richest actors in the world, with a net worth of $45 million. Bana began his career as a comedian, but with time, he became one of the best actors in Hollywood.
After Bana featured in Black Hawk Down, numerous roles followed afterward, including Hulk, Troy, and Munich among others.
Bana is one of the few actors who have held roles as heroes and villains. He has appeared in low-budget films and blockbusters in Hollywood and Australia explaining how he has been able to accumulate a net worth of $45 million.
Early Life and Education
Eric was born in Melbourne, Victoria to a Croatian father and a mother from Germany. His mother Helena was a hairdresser, while his father was a logistics manager for Caterpillar Inc. Eric has always been proud of his origin, always appreciating being in the company of people of European origin.
The comedian attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School while growing up in Melbourne’s Tullamarine area. Bana began showing interest in acting at an early age.
By the age of six to seven, he had begun entertaining family and friends, by first mimicking his grandfather’s walk and mannerisms. He also loved mimicking his teachers at school, as a way of getting out of trouble.
When Bana was a teenager, he watched Mad Max, which made him decide that he truly wanted to become an actor. While he wanted to be an actor, he was persuaded to try comedy while working as a barman at a hotel in Melbourne.
While he began stand-up gigs, they did not offer enough income to sustain him. He continued doing the gigs while working as a barman.
Career
Bana made his career debut in 1992 after he appeared in Tonight Show. He gained attention from producers who invited him to join Full Frontal, as a writer and performer. During his time at the show, his impressions of Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, made Bana’s role famous with the audience.
Despite lacking dramatic experience, Bana appeared in Chopper in 2000. To perfect the role, Bana had to gain 30 pounds, shave his head, and spend two days with Reed to perfect his mimicry. The role won him Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor and it opened more opportunities in Hollywood.
