Eric Bana

ERIC BANA is one of Australia 's best known performers, both as an actor and comedian. He has worked extensively in television, as a stand-up comedian and, in recent times, in Australian and international feature films.

Eric's first major break came in 1993 when he was asked to join one of Australia 's top rating comedy programmes, “ Full Frontal”.

In 1996, he wrote, co-produced and starred in his own comedy special which proved a ratings winner. This led to his weekly comedy show that aired nationally from late 1997. That year, Eric was also voted Australia 's “Most Popular Comedy Performer” at The Logies.

Further illustrating his versatility, Eric appeared in the role of Joe Sabatini for the ABC TV drama series, “ Something in the Air”.

Eric made his feature film debut in a supporting role in the Australian film, “The Castle” (1997) and went on to further acclaim in the title role of Mark “Chopper” Read in the hugely successful Australian film, “Chopper” (released 2000). Based on the life of the infamous standover man, Bana's performance won him the AFI award for “Best Actor in a Feature Film”. The film premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and earned rave notices for its US release. It was “Chopper” that brought Eric Bana to the attention of international filmmakers.

He then co-starred in Ridley Scott's “Black Hawk Down” as Delta Sgt. First Class “Hoot” Gibson, one of a group of elite US soldiers opposite Josh Hartnettt, Ewan McGregor and Tom Sizemore. The war epic, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Sony Pictures (2001), was based on Mark Bowden's best-selling account of the 1993 US mission in Mogadishu , Somalia .

In 2002, Eric featured in the Australian film, “The Nugget” (directed by Bill Bennett), together with Stephen Curry, Dave O'Neil, Belinda Emmett and Peter Moon.

He also starred in the title role of Bruce Banner in “ The Hulk ” for director Ang Lee and Universal Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics character, and was last seen as Hector the Prince of Troy in Warner Bros “ Troy ” for director Wolfgang Peterson. The film was based on Homer's “The Iliad”, and co-starred Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom.

Eric will next be seen starring in two of Hollywood 's top filmmakers' upcoming releases: Steven Spielberg's “ Munich ” about the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics, and Curtis Hanson's “ Lucky You .”

Following this, Eric will begin shooting “ Romulus , My Father ” based on Raimond Gaita's best-selling memoir.

Eric Bana currently resides in Australia with his wife and two children.

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