Jonathan Banks

Biography

Jonathan Banks (born January 31, 1947) is a versatile and accomplished American actor with a career spanning film, television, and stage. He is widely recognized for his compelling portrayals of complex and often morally ambiguous characters.   

Here are some key aspects of his career:

Early Career and Breakthrough:

• Banks began his acting career on stage and transitioned to television and film in the late 1970s.
• He gained significant recognition for his role as FBI Special Agent Frank McPike in the critically acclaimed television series Wiseguy (1987-1990), earning him his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
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Notable Film Roles:

• Banks has appeared in numerous films across various genres, showcasing his range as an actor. Some of his notable film credits include:
  • Airplane! (1980)
  • 48 Hrs. (1982)
  • Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
  • Gremlins (1984)
  • Armed and Dangerous (1986)
  • Freejack (1992)
  • Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
  • Flipper (1996)
  • Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)
  • Identity Thief (2013)
  • Mudbound (2017)
  • The Commuter (2018)
  • El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
  • Incredibles 2 (2018) (voice role)
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Critical Acclaim for Mike Ehrmantraut:

• Banks achieved widespread critical acclaim and renewed fame for his role as the stoic and resourceful Mike Ehrmantraut in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad (2009-2012), its spin-off prequel Better Call Saul (2015-2022), and the film sequel El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019).
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• His portrayal of Mike has earned him six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (one for Wiseguy, one for Breaking Bad, and four for Better Call Saul).
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• He won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2015 for Better Call Saul and two Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actor on Television for Breaking Bad (2013) and Better Call Saul (2022).   
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Other Significant Television Roles:

• Beyond his iconic role as Mike, Banks has had memorable roles in other television series, including:
  • Otherworld (1985)
  • Falcon Crest (1987)
  • Community (2014)   
  • The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015)   
  • F Is for Family (2020-2021) (voice role)
  • Invincible (2021-present) (voice role)
  • Constellation (2024)   
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Voice Acting:

• Banks has also lent his distinctive voice to several animated projects, including Incredibles 2, Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, Axe Cop, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Casagrandes, Invincible, and Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

Jonathan Banks continues to be a respected and sought-after actor, known for his ability to bring depth and nuance to a wide range of characters.