Trivia

Brad Pitt personally requested Bana for the role of Prince Hector in the epic drama Troy (2004) because he was a huge fan of Chopper (2000). Russell Crowe personally requested Bana for his role in Black Hawk Down (2001) directed by Sir Ridley Scott. He did not have to audition for the role.

Tall by almost any standards at 6' 3", he is actually medium-sized or small by his family's standards. For instance, his older brother Anthony Banadinovic stands 6' 8".

Began his career as a stand-up comedian while serving as a hotel barman.

Underwent weight training and fight training for his role as Prince Hector in the epic drama Troy (2004). However, had never ridden a horse before the movie, and had to start from scratch without a saddle.

He was thirty-four years old when he played the title role of the action movie Hulk (2003), making him the youngest person to play the role of Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk. His deal for the action movie directed by Ang Lee includes an option for two sequels, with substantial raises for each film.

A picture of his wife and child was used in Black Hawk Down (2001) for the scene where helicopter pilot Mike Durant is captured by Somalis. The prop department had forgotten to grab a picture of a wife and child for the shot, so they asked Bana's wife, who was traveling with him, if they could use a picture of her and their child for the shot and she agreed.

Has said that Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte are two of his favorite actors, and got to work with them both in the action movie Hulk (2003).

His first jobs were washing motorcars at a service station, pushing streetcars at Coles New World, and serving as a barman at Melbourne's Castle Hotel (1991).

Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 2006.

Had the option of playing several dissimilar characters in the movie Troy (2004) when he was proposed for the project. He eventually chose the crown prince Hector because he considered Prince Hector "was such a great bloke".

In an ironic twist, Mark Brandon Read, who was portrayed by Bana in the movie Chopper (2000), has a small role in the movie Trojan Warrior (2002); which he plays a guy named "Erik Bana". This is not to be confused with the movie Troy (2004) which also stars Bana and features a Trojan horse.

When asked in 2005 who his idols are, he named Richard Pryor, Paul Newman and Barry Humphries.

In April 2009, along with several of the cast and crew, he visited Camp Arijan in Kuwait to show Star Trek (2009) to a group of US service members.

He was the first choice to play Xander Cage in the action movie xXx (2002), which he turned down to do The Nugget (2002). The role went to Vin Diesel.

He made his motorsport debut in the 1996 Targa Tasmania, driving the same 1974 Ford Falcon XB Coupe. Other racing competitions include the 2002 Classic Adelaide and the 2003 Classic Adelaide.

He spent two days residing with Mark Brandon Read so he could have a better understanding of how to play the title role of the movie Chopper (2000). He admitted to eating junk food for four weeks to put on the extra weight needed to play the legendary criminal. He gained 30 pounds for the role.

He loves racing both motorbikes and motorcars in Australia.

Is a supporter of the St. Kilda Australian rules football team.

First car was the 1974 Ford Falcon XB Coupe, purchased for $1000 at age 15.

He hates guns.

Completed the customary "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" lap in 1m:47.5s on Romanian GT Road Trip To Find The Transfagarasan Highway (2009).

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars in the World (#61). (2007)

One of his most admired actors is Rade Serbedzija.

In Full Frontal (1993), whenever the show was spoofing a Tom Cruise movie, or had a sketch that involved Tom Cruise, he would play "Cruise", even though he is 8 inches taller than him in real-life.

No fewer than three of his theatrical movies are remakes of, or share the same source material with, a television movie. The Incredible Hulk comic book series was filmed as the television movie and series The Incredible Hulk (1977), and the theatrical movie Hulk (2003). Homer's "Iliad" was filmed as Helen of Troy (2003) for television, and the theatrical movie Troy (2004). George Jonas' book "Vengeance" was filmed for television as Sword of Gideon (1986), then remade by Steven Spielberg as Munich (2005).

Two of his characters previously appeared in television movies starring John Rhys-Davies before Bana came into the roles. Rhys-Davies played Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin, in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), which starred Bill Bixby as Dr. Banner, a role later played by Bana. Rhys-Davies also played King Priam in Helen of Troy (2003). Priam is the father of Prince Hector, played by Bana in Troy (2004).

Has worked with Benedict Cumberbatch in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). Both stars appeared in the very popular Star Trek series. Bana appeared in Star Trek (2009) and Cumberbatch appeared in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).

Has worked with Tom Hardy (in his movie debut) in Black Hawk Down (2001). Both stars appeared in the very popular Star Trek series. Hardy appeared in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) and Bana appeared in Star Trek (2009).

Has declined to reprise his role as Bruce Banner/the Hulk in an Incredible Hulk sequel. (July 2006)

He was a huge fan of The Incredible Hulk (1977) before playing the same role in the theatrical movie Hulk (2003) directed by Ang Lee. He was a huge fan of Star Trek (1966) before playing the villain Nero in the Star Trek (2009) remake produced and directed by J.J. Abrams.

He is an ambassador for Father Chris Riley's charity for homeless young people, Youth Off The Streets, and has appeared with Riley in television commercials to support the organization's annual appeal. He is also an advocate for the Mental Illness Fellowship, and has appeared in several high-profile television commercials for the fellowship in 2004 to increase the awareness of mental disorders in Australia.

He was awarded the AM (Member of the Order of Australia) in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the performing arts, and to charitable organisations. He is an actor in Melbourne, Victoria.

His father-in-law is The Honourable Murray Gleeson, who served as the Chief Justice of Australia from 1998 - 2008. As required by the constitution, he retired from the High Court when he reached his 70th birthday.

His sister-in-law is The Honourable Jacqueline Gleeson, who served as the Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 2014 - 2021, and currently serves as the Justice of the High Court of Australia since March 1, 2021.

During the 2019-20 Australian bushfire season (called Black Summer), Bana voiced a series a radio and television commercials to support donations to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF).

He considered leaving school to become an auto mechanic, but his father dissuaded him from doing such. When he attended school, he mimicked his teachers as a means to escape serious trouble with them.

After wrapping the movie Hulk (2003), he spent nine months at home with his family.

His role as Avner Kaufman in the movie Munich (2005) was written specifically for him.

Has appeared twice on the cover of GQ magazine (July 2003 and March 2008).

Has Croatian and German ancestry.