Jonathan Banks
Jonathan Ray Banks[1] (born January 31st, 1947)[2] is an American actor. His first notable film roles were in the films Airplane! (1980), 48 Hrs. (1982), and Beverly Hills Cop (1984). He has received critical acclaim for his role as former police officer turned private investigator, fixer, and hitman Mike Ehrmantraut in the television series Breaking Bad (2009–2012), its spin-off series Better Call Saul (2015–present), and its sequel film, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019). He is also known for his breakthrough role as Frank McPike in Wiseguy (1987–1990).[3]
Jonathan Banks | |
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![]() Banks at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con | |
Born | Jonathan Ray Banks January 31, 1947 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1974–present |
Spouse(s) | Marnie Fausch
(m. 1968; div. 1970)Gennera Banks (m. after 1990) |
Children | 3 |
He has received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1989, 2013, 2015–2017, 2019) for his work on all three series, making him the only actor with nominations as a main cast member for three different shows in this category, two of which feature him as the same character.
Early life and education
Banks was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Chillum Heights, Maryland. He was raised by a single mother, Elena Adams Banks (October 13, 1917 – September 16, 2012), who was a secretary in various federal government offices including the CIA. She was also a private secretary for top Navy officers such as Admiral Nimitz.[4][5] He graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring, MD in 1966,[6] and attended Indiana University Bloomington, where he was a classmate of actor Kevin Kline. During that time, they participated in a production of The Threepenny Opera together.[1] Banks dropped out of the university to join a touring company of Hair as a stage manager. He toured Australia with the Hair company.[7]
Career
In 1974, Banks moved to Los Angeles and performed on stage before picking up bit parts on television. He starred in the 1974 sex public service announcement (PSA) Linda's Film on Menstruation, produced by the Los Angeles Public Library system, which was referenced by John Oliver in a 2015 episode of his show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver focusing on sex education.[8] Banks appeared on the show, ridiculing the content of the PSA.[9][10][11] He co-starred in 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop, and made appearances in Armed and Dangerous, Buckaroo Banzai, Freejack, Flipper, Airplane!, Gremlins, Murder Me, Murder You, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, and Identity Thief.
Banks' big break on television came in 1987 with the series Wiseguy, in which he played Frank McPike for four years, a role which led to a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.[12] Although his character was primarily the hero's mentor, stories occasionally featured McPike as hero. In 1981, he appeared as Dutch Schultz on the NBC series the Gangster Chronicles.[13] He also starred on the short-lived science fiction series Otherworld, as Kommander Nuveen Kroll, and in the sitcom Fired Up.
![](../I/Jonathan_Banks_1995.jpg.webp)
On May 14, 1994, Banks was one of the guests alongside Ben Masters and Stuart Whitman in a two hour long special episode of the television show Walker, Texas Ranger called The Reunion. With Chuck Norris and Clarence Gilyard as a crime fighting duo.[14] In the story, Banks plays the role of a suspicious character who meets the leads (Norris and Gilyard) who are uncovering a plot to assassinate a senator (Masters).[15] On its own the episode was released on Home Media.[16]
In the second season of Breaking Bad, Banks appeared as Mike Ehrmantraut. He became a series regular for the third, fourth, and fifth seasons. For the fifth season, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Banks reprised his role as Mike Ehrmantraut as a regular in the Breaking Bad spinoff series Better Call Saul, for which he earned his third Emmy nomination in season 1.[17]
In 2019, Nolan North stated that Banks was originally considered to play the role of Zoran Lazaravić in the 2009 video game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but the role instead went to Graham McTavish. According to North, the main factors that influenced this decision were Banks' height and the arrival of actor Steve Valentine as Harry Flynn.[18]
In 2014, he had a recurring role as Buzz Hickey in the fifth season of the NBC sitcom Community.[19]
He played the voice of James Gordon in the 2015 video game Batman: Arkham Knight.[20] In 2015, Banks made a special guest appearance on the MythBusters episode "Supernatural Shooters".[21]
In April 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Indiana University.[22]
Banks played Walt in the 2018 thriller film The Commuter.[23]
Banks joined the cast of the Netflix animated series F is for Family in its fourth season as Bill Murphy, the father of the main character Frank Murphy.[24]
Personal life
Banks married first wife Marnie Fausch in 1968. Together, they had one daughter. After his divorce in 1970, Banks married second wife Gennera Banks sometime after 1990. From this marriage, they had fraternal twins. Banks also has a stepdaughter from this marriage.[2][1]
He lost his house during the 2018 Woolsey Fire.[25][26]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | The Night They Took Miss Beautiful | Buck | |
1978 | Coming Home | Marine at Party | |
1978 | The Cheap Detective | Cabbie | |
1978 | Who'll Stop the Rain | Marine | |
1979 | The Rose | Television Promoter | |
1980 | Airplane! | Gunderson | |
1980 | Stir Crazy | Jack Graham | |
1981 | Gangster Wars | Dutch Schultz | |
1982 | Frances | Hitchhiker | |
1982 | 48 Hrs. | Algren | |
1984 | Gremlins | Deputy Brent | |
1984 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension | Lizardo Hospital Guard | |
1984 | Beverly Hills Cop | Zack | |
1986 | Armed and Dangerous | Clyde Klepper | |
1987 | Cold Steel | 'Iceman' | |
1988 | Pin | Pin | Voice |
1990 | Honeymoon Academy | Pitt | |
1992 | Freejack | Michelette | |
1992 | There Goes the Neighborhood | Harry 'Handsome Harry' | |
1993 | Boiling Point | Max Waxman | |
1994 | Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion | Shelby Valentine | |
1995 | Under Siege 2: Dark Territory | Scotty | |
1996 | Flipper | Dirk Moran | |
1996 | Dark Breed | Commander Joe Shay | |
1999 | Let the Devil Wear Black | Satch | |
1999 | Foolish | Numbers | |
1999 | Trash | Judge Callum | |
2001 | Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles | Milos Drubnik | |
2001 | Proximity | Price | |
2002 | Dark Blue | Deputy Chief Jimmy Barcomb | |
2002 | R.S.V.P | Walter Franklin | |
2006 | Puff, Puff, Pass | Lance | |
2007 | Reign Over Me | Stelter | |
2008 | Proud American | Mr. Moretti | |
2012 | Watercolor Postcards | Ledball | |
2013 | Identity Thief | Paolo | |
2013 | Roar | Bernie Warren | Short film |
2014 | Bullet | Carlito Kane | |
2014 | Authors Anonymous | David Kelleher | |
2014 | Horrible Bosses 2 | Detective Hatcher | |
2016 | Term Life | Harper | |
2016 | Alibi | Billy | Short film |
2017 | Mudbound | 'Pappy' McAllan | |
2018 | The Commuter | Walt | |
2018 | Incredibles 2 | Rick Dicker | Voice |
2018 | Redbad | Pepin Herstal | |
2019 | El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie | Mike Ehrmantraut |
Television films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | The Macahans | Woodward | |
1977 | Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn | Michael | |
1979 | She's Dressed to Kill | Rudy Striker | |
1980 | Desperate Voyage | Louis | |
1983 | The Invisible Woman | Darren | |
1983 | Murder Me, Murder You | Janos Saracen | |
1984 | Nadia | Gheorge Comaneci | |
1986 | The Fifth Missile | Ray Olson | |
1986 | Assassin | Earl Dickman | |
1986 | Who Is Julia | Jack Bodine | |
1991 | Don't Touch My Daughter | Ryter | |
1993 | Blind Side | Aaron | |
1997 | Melanie Darrow | Arthur Abbott | |
1998 | Dollar for the Dead | Col. Skinner | |
Television series
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | Barnaby Jones | Vince Gentry | Episode: "Dead Heat" |
1977 | Family | Attendant | Episode: "Taking Chances: Part I" |
1977 | Barnaby Jones | Car Salesman | Episode: "Duet for Dying" |
1977 | Carter Country | Bob Phillips | Episode: "The Fireside Burnside Budget Chat" |
1979 | Lou Grant | Clay Starkes | Episode: "Kidnap" |
1979 | The Waltons | Jeb Sanders | Episode: "The Wager" |
1979 | Lou Grant | Cyrus | Episode: "Sweep" |
1980 | Little House on the Prairie | Jed | Episode: "Darkness Is My Friend" |
1981 | Lou Grant | Intruder | Episode: "Rape" |
1981 | Sanford | Al | Episode: "Cal the Coward" |
1981 | The Gangster Chronicles | Dutch Schultz | 13 episodes |
1981 | Best of the West | Hombre | 2 episodes |
1982 | Report to Murphy | Vinny | Episode: "Papillon" |
1982–1983 | T. J. Hooker | Danny Scott/Freddy Baker | 2 episodes |
1983 | Hill Street Blues | Reggie | 2 episodes |
1983 | Whiz Kids | N/A | Episode: "Programmed For Murder" |
1984 | Jessie | Ernie Ross | Episode: "Pilot" |
1984 | Cagney & Lacey | Keith Edsin | Episode: "Old Debts" |
1985 | Otherworld | Kommander Nuveen Kroll | 8 episodes |
1985 | Hunter | Detective Gary Krewson | Episode: "The Big Fall" |
1987 | Falcon Crest | Kolinksi | 8 episodes |
1987 | Designing Women | Eldon Ashcroft IV | Episode: "101 Ways to Decorate a Gas Station" |
1987–1990 | Wiseguy | Frank McPike | 74 episodes |
1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Shel-la | Episode: "Battle Lines" |
1994 | Highlander: The Series | Mako | Episode: "Under Colour of Authority" |
1994 | Matlock | Jack Starling | Episode: "The P.I." |
1994 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Shelby Valentine | Episode: "Deadly Reunion" |
1994 | Tales from the Crypt | William | Episode: "The Assassin" |
1995 | Due South | Garret | Episode: "Heaven and Earth" |
1995 | Women of the House | Jim Sugarbaker | 2 episodes |
1994–1995 | SeaQuest 2032 | Maximillian Scully | 2 episodes |
1996 | Diagnosis: Murder | Max Jupe | Episode: "Murder by Friendly Fire" |
1997–1998 | Fired Up | Guy Mann | 28 episodes |
2000 | Diagnosis: Murder | Bruce Locatelli | Episode: "Murder by Remote" |
2000–2001 | The Trouble With Normal | Dr. Lowell | 2 episodes |
2001 | The District | Monya Pastov | Episode: "Fools Russian: Part I" |
2003 | Alias | Frederick Brandon | 2 episodes |
2003 | Strong Medicine | Frank Hardwyck | Episode: "Skin" |
2004 | Joan of Arcadia | Sheriff Mike Rakowski | Episode: "Jump" |
2004–2006 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Bobby Jensen | 2 episodes |
2005 | E-Ring | Adm. Cooper | 4 episodes |
2006 | Ghost Whisperer | Lyle Chase | Episode: "Friendly Neighborhood Ghost" |
2006 | Without a Trace | Sal Marcello | Episode: "Check Your Head" |
2006–2007 | Day Break | Shadow Man | 7 episodes |
2007 | Dexter | FBI Deputy Director Max Adams | 2 episodes |
2008 | ER | Robert Truman | Episode: "Atonement" |
2008 | Shark | Jason Normandy | 2 episodes |
2008 | Life | Nathan Gray | Episode: "Crushed" |
2008 | Eli Stone | Agent Johnathan Maine | Episode: "Owner of a Lonely Heart" |
2009 | Lie to Me | Ex-FBI Agent Bitcher | Episode: "Sacrifice" |
2009 | Cold Case | John Clark | Episode: "Jackals" |
2009 | Castle | Bruce Kirby | Episode: "Hell Hath No Fury" |
2009–2012 | Breaking Bad | Mike Ehrmantraut | 25 episodes |
2011 | Modern Family | Donnie Pritchett | Episode: "The Musical Man" |
2011 | Two and a Half Men | Pawn Broker | Episode: "A Fishbowl Full of Glass Eyes" |
2011 | CSI: Miami | Oscar Duarte | Episode: "Long Gone" |
2012 | Ringer | Remy Osterman | 2 episodes |
2012 | Parks and Recreation | Steve Wyatt | Episode: "Ben's Parents" |
2012 | Vegas | Angelo LaFlatta | 2 episodes |
2013 | Bloodline | Leo Killpriest | Pilot |
2013 | Body of Proof | Glenn Fitz | Episode: "Daddy Issue" |
2013–2015 | Axe Cop | Various Voices | 3 episodes |
2014 | Community | Buzz Hickey | 11 episodes |
2014 | Mike Tyson Mysteries | The Wizard (voice) | Episode: "Is Magic Real?" |
2015–present | Better Call Saul | Mike Ehrmantraut | 48 episodes |
2015 | The Lizzie Borden Chronicles | Mr. Flowers | 3 episodes |
2015 | Major Lazer | The Law (voice) | Episode: "Escape from Rave Island" |
2015 | Gravity Falls | Filbrick Pines (voice) | Episode: "A Tale of Two Stans"[27] |
2015 | Robot Chicken | Composite Superman (voice) | Episode: Magical Friendship |
2015 | The Expanse | Executive Officer | Episode: "Dulcinea" |
2015 | MythBusters | Mike Ehrmantraut | Episode: "Supernatural Shooters" |
2016–2018 | Skylanders Academy | Eruptor (voice) | 38 episodes |
2017 | Dr. Ken | Dr. Erwin | Episode: "Ken's Professor" |
2017–2019 | Tangled: The Series | Quirin (voice) | 8 episodes |
2020 | F Is for Family | William Murphy (voice) | 9 episodes |
2020 | The Casagrandes | Coach Crawford (voice) | Episode: "Team Effort" |
2020 | The Comey Rule | James Clapper | 2 episodes |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Batman: Arkham Knight | James Gordon | |
2018 | Lego The Incredibles | Rick Dicker |
Awards and nominations
References
- "Jonathan Banks". TV Guide. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- "Jonathan Banks". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- "'Breaking Bad' vet Jonathan Banks joins 'Community'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- "Elena Adams Banks". Tribune-Star. September 22, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- Fresh Air interview https://www.npr.org/2018/08/03/635294626/fresh-air-marks-the-return-of-better-call-saul-by-dipping-into-the-archives
- Northwood Year Book 1966
- Gaydos, Steven (June 5, 2015). "'Better Call Saul's' Jonathan Banks Remembers His Start as a 'Music' Man". Variety. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- "John Oliver's latest find: How 'Breaking Bad's' Mike misled teens about menstruation". Los Angeles Times. August 10, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Busis, Hillary (August 28, 2012). "Jonathan Banks of 'Breaking Bad' appears in '70s period PSA". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- Eakin, Marah (August 30, 2012). "Watch Breaking Bad's Mike learn about menstruation in a 1974 PSA". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Sex Education (HBO). YouTube. August 9, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- "Mike Ehrmantraut/Jonathan Banks". AMC. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 447. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
- "Saturday Prime Time Television". Lincoln Journal Star: 9. May 14, 1994 – via Newspapers.
- Burlingame, Jon (May 14, 1994). "Mac goes treasure hunting on 'Atlantis'". Intelligencer Journal: 10 – via Newspapers.
- Chuck Norris (1994). Walker Texas Ranger The Reunion (VHS). USA: Warner Home Video. ISBN 0-7907-2495-2. 0859321338.
- Kenneally, Tim (January 27, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul' Enlists Jonathan Banks". TheWrap.com. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - The Definitive Playthrough-p10 (Nolan North,Troy Baker,Graham McTavish). Retro Replay. December 23, 2019. Event occurs at 21:20. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- Goldman, Eric (August 20, 2013). "Breaking Bad's Jonathan Banks Joins Community". IGN. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- "Batman: Arkham Knight's cast includes Jonathan Banks and John Noble". Destructoid. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- Supernatural Shooters, retrieved May 28, 2020
- "Indiana University to present Jonathan Banks with an honorary degree". IU Bloomington Newsroom. March 7, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- The Commuter, retrieved May 28, 2020
- Petski, Denise (May 7, 2020). "'F Is For Family': Jonathan Banks Joins Season 4 Cast Of Animated Netflix Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- "The Night Time Show" (Interview). Interviewed by Stephen Kramer.
- https://deadline.com/2018/11/martin-sheen-found-safe-but-other-celebrities-still-on-the-move-from-fires-1202498992/
- "Gravity Falls: "A Tale Of Two Stans"". July 13, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2018.