ACTOR · BORN 1968
Eric Bana
- Born
- 9 August 1968
43 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
25 Interesting Facts About Eric Bana
- #007
When Eric Bana was offered the project, he had the option of playing several very different characters in the epic war film Troy (2004). He ultimately chose Crown Prince Hector because he thought Prince Hector "was such a great bloke".
- #008
In 2006, Eric Bana was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
- #010
Eric Bana made his motorsport debut at the 1996 Targa Tasmania, driving the same 1974 Ford Falcon XB Coupe. His other racing events include the 2002 Classic Adelaide and the 2003 Classic Adelaide.
- #011
Eric Bana's first jobs were washing cars at a service station, pushing trolleys at Coles New World and tending bar at the Melbourne Castle Hotel (1991).
- #012
Ironically, Mark Brandon Read, whom Bana portrayed in Chopper (2000), has a small role in the film Trojan Warrior (2002), playing a man named "Erik Bana". This should not be confused with Troy (2004), in which Bana also appeared and which features a Trojan horse.
- #013
Asked who his idols were, Eric Bana named Richard Pryor, Paul Newman and Barry Humphries.
- #015
Eric Bana enjoys racing both motorcycles and cars in Australia.
- #017
Eric Bana's first car was a 1974 Ford Falcon XB Coupe, bought for $1,000 when he was 15 years old.
- #019
On Full Frontal (1993), whenever the show did a spoof of a Tom Cruise film or a sketch involving Tom Cruise, Eric Bana played "Cruise", even though in real life he is 8 inches taller than him.
- #020
Eric Bana completed the traditional "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" lap in 1 minute 47.5 seconds on Top Gear's Romanian GT road trip to find the Transfagarasan Highway (2009).
- #021
Eric Bana attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, which is part of the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria.
- #022
One of Eric Bana's favorite actors is Rade Šerbedžija.
- #023
Eric Bana supports the St. Kilda Australian rules football team.
- #024
At least three of Eric Bana's films are remakes of a television film or share the same source material as one. The Incredible Hulk comic series was made as the television film and series The Incredible Hulk (1977) and the theatrical film Hulk (2003). Homer's "Iliad" was made for television as Helen of Troy (2003) and as the theatrical film Troy (2004). George Jonas's book "Vengeance" was made for television as Sword of Gideon (1986), then remade by Steven Spielberg as Munich (2005).
- #025
Two of Eric Bana's characters had appeared in television films played by John Rhys-Davies before Bana took the roles. In The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), Rhys-Davies played Wilson Fisk, also known as The Kingpin, while Bill Bixby played the role of Dr. Banner that Bana would later take on. Rhys-Davies also played King Priam in Helen of Troy (2003); Priam is the father of Prince Hector, whom Bana played in Troy (2004).
- #027
Eric Bana worked with Benedict Cumberbatch on the film The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). Both stars appeared in the hugely popular Star Trek universe: Bana in Star Trek (2009) and Cumberbatch in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).
- #028
Eric Bana was a big fan of The Incredible Hulk (1977) before playing the same role in the theatrical film Hulk (2003), directed by Ang Lee. He was a big fan of Star Trek (1966) before playing the villain Nero in J. J. Abrams's produced and directed remake Star Trek (2009).
- #032
Eric Bana's sister-in-law is the Honourable Jacqueline Gleeson, who served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 2014 to 2021 and has served as a Justice of the High Court of Australia since 1 March 2021.
- #034
Eric Bana is active in campaigns with the Australian Childhood Foundation and the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. Since 1995 he has joined the Motorcyclists Association's Toy Run, which collects money and toys for children in need at Christmas.
- #036
As of 2026, Eric Bana's net worth from his thirty-year successful career as an actor, film and television producer, commercial brand endorsements and international real estate holdings is estimated at approximately 45 million US dollars.
- #037
Eric Bana is close friends with Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Jay Leno, Phil McGraw, Jeremy Clarkson, Ricky Gervais, Picton Roxborough, Brad Pitt, Joel McHale, Patrick Rafter, Mark Webber and Orlando Bloom.
- #039
The role of Avner Kaufman in the 2005 film Munich was written specifically for Eric Bana.
- #040
Eric Bana declined to reprise the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Incredible Hulk sequel.
- #041
Eric Bana appeared on the cover of GQ twice, in both July 2003 and August 2008.
- #042
In interviews, Eric Bana has stated that he personally hates guns and did not grow up around them.
Sources & editorial notes
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