Eric Bana is an Australian actor best known for Chopper, Black Hawk Down, Troy and Munich. He began his career as a sketch comedian on Australian television, and his transformation into a serious dramatic actor — most famously as the real-life criminal Mark “Chopper” Read — made him one of Australia’s most respected screen stars. He has since played Bruce Banner in Hulk, Hector in Troy and the villain Nero in Star Trek.
At 58, Bana remains a leading man in Australian film and television. He won the AACTA Award for Best Actor for The Dry (2021), in which he played detective Aaron Falk, and he recently headlined the Netflix hit series Untamed (2025). He is married to Rebecca Gleeson, and they have two children.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Eric Banadinović |
| Date of Birth | 9 August 1968 |
| Age | 58 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.89 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Wife | Rebecca Gleeson (married 1997) |
| Children | Two |
| Nationality | Australian |
Who Is Eric Bana?
Eric Bana is an Australian actor whose breakthrough came in Chopper (2000), in which he played the notorious Australian criminal Mark “Chopper” Read. He won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor for the role, and the film announced him as a dramatic talent of the first order. The following year he played Delta Force operator Norm “Hoot” Gibson in Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down (2001).
Bana went on to play Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003), Hector, Prince of Troy, in Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy (2004), and Mossad agent Avner Kaufman in Steven Spielberg’s Munich (2005). He also played the Romulan villain Nero in J. J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009), a time-travelling librarian in The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009), and an ex-CIA operative in Hanna (2011).
Early Life & Background
Eric Banadinović was born on 9 August 1968 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the younger son of Ivan Banadinović, a North Croatian who worked as a manager for Caterpillar, Inc., and Eleanor, a German hairdresser originally from near Mannheim. He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine and attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School.
As a teenager Bana worked as a scaffolder and as a barman, and he began performing stand-up comedy in Melbourne pubs in 1991. He moved into television with the sketch comedy series Full Frontal (1993–1997), where he created popular characters, and later hosted The Eric Bana Show Live (1996–1997). He is also a keen motor-racing enthusiast.
Career
Bana’s film debut came as Con Petropoulous in the beloved Australian comedy The Castle (1997). He then took the title role in Chopper, losing weight and gaining it back to play Read, and his performance won him an AFI Award and an offer from Ridley Scott for Black Hawk Down. His Hollywood career continued with Hulk, Troy and Munich, and he played Henry VIII in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).
After appearing in Lone Survivor (2013) and Deliver Us from Evil (2014), Bana returned to Australia for The Dry (2021), based on Jane Harper’s bestselling novel, playing federal agent Aaron Falk. The film was a box-office hit in Australia, and Bana won the AACTA Award for Best Actor. He returned for the sequel, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024).
On television, Bana earned strong reviews as conman John Meehan in the Bravo true-crime series Dirty John (2018), opposite Connie Britton. In 2025 he starred as National Park Service special agent Kyle Turner in the Netflix mystery series Untamed, which he also executive produced. He has also directed the documentary Love the Beast (2009), about his 25-year relationship with his Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe, and he is the voice of the animated film Memoir of a Snail (2024).
Facts About Eric Bana
- He began his career as a stand-up comedian and sketch performer on Full Frontal.
- He turned down the lead role in The Bourne Identity before starting Chopper.
- He is a keen motor-racing enthusiast and competed in the Targa Tasmania rally.
- He directed the documentary Love the Beast (2009) about his Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe.
- He played Aaron Falk in The Dry (2021), winning the AACTA Award for Best Actor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Eric Bana?
Eric Bana was born on 9 August 1968, making him 58 years old as of November 2026.
Where is Eric Bana from?
He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, to a Croatian father and a German mother.
Who is Eric Bana’s wife?
He is married to Rebecca Gleeson, a marketing consultant and former journalist. They married in 1997 and have two children, Klaus and Sophia.
What is Eric Bana best known for?
He is best known for Chopper, Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy, Munich, Star Trek and The Dry.
What is Eric Bana doing now?
He stars as Kyle Turner in the Netflix series Untamed (2025) and returned as Aaron Falk in Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024).