What is Eric Bana's Net Worth and Salary?
Eric Bana is an Australian actor with a net worth of $45 million. Initially starting his career as a comedian, Bana eventually became one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces, especially after appearing in the 2001 Ridley Scott film "Black Hawk Down." His filmography includes roles in "Hulk," "Troy," and "Munich." Bana has demonstrated impressive range by playing both heroes and villains in various films, from independent productions to big-budget blockbusters in Australia and Hollywood.
Early Life
Eric Banadinović was born on August 9, 1968, in Melbourne, Victoria. With Croatian and German heritage, Eric was raised in the Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine. His passion for acting emerged early, often entertaining family and school peers with impressions. Inspired by the film "Mad Max," Eric had dual enthusiasms for acting and cars. Despite strong inclinations to become a mechanic and even considering dropping out of school for it, his father insisted he finish high school, which he did, purchasing his first car at 15—a 1974 XB Ford Falcon coupe, which he still owns.
At 18, Eric began racing in events like the Targa Tasmania. His love for cars extended into his adulthood, driving vehicles such as the Porsche 944 in Australia's Porsche Challenge. He also appeared on "Top Gear." Eric's early love of cars was matched by a passion for Aussie Rules Football.
In 1991, Eric's friend encouraged him to try stand-up comedy. Working as a barman at Melbourne's Castle Hotel, he began touring with other comics and eventually shortened his last name to "Bana" for stage performances.
Career
Eric Bana's career breakthrough came in 1993 when he appeared on the Australian late-night talk show "Tonight Live." He subsequently joined the cast of the sketch comedy series "Full Frontal," becoming known for his celebrity impressions, including Columbo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Tom Cruise.
By 1994, Eric released a comedy album, "Out of Bounds," and created "The Eric Bana Show," although it was canceled after eight episodes. He made his film debut in "The Castle" (1997), which led to his casting as the infamous criminal Chopper Read in the film "Chopper." The role, requiring significant physical transformation including weight gain and head shaving, was Bana's dramatic breakthrough and earned him an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor.
International recognition followed with his role as a special forces soldier in Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down" (2001). His portrayal in the film solidified his foothold in Hollywood. In 2003, he played the titular role in "Hulk," which received mixed reviews but showcased his acting prowess.
Subsequent roles included voice work in "Finding Nemo" and playing Hector in "Troy" (2004). He received critical acclaim in Steven Spielberg's "Munich" (2005). His diverse roles continued with appearances in "The Other Boleyn Girl" (2008), "Star Trek" (2009) as the antagonist Nero, and romantic leads in "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Funny People." Bana also directed and produced a documentary, "Love the Beast," exploring his attachment to his Ford Falcon.
Eric continued with varied roles, portraying CIA operatives and Navy SEALs in "Hanna" (2011) and "Lone Survivor" (2013). In 2014, he starred in the horror film "Deliver Us from Evil." His career includes a starring role in the mini-series "Dirty John" (2018) and as Uther Pendragon in "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017).
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Relationships
Eric Bana began dating publicist Rebecca Gleeson in 1995, and the couple married in 1997, having two children together.
Real Estate
In 2004, Bana acquired a home in Mosman, an upscale Sydney suburb, for 4 million Australian dollars. The property, designed by Alex Popov, includes two bedrooms on a 1,200-meter plot of land. In 2009, Bana moved to a six-bedroom home in Brighton, Sydney, which features a nine-car underground garage and is estimated to be worth $10 million.
