Elizabeth Banks Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Children

Elizabeth Irene Banks, professionally known as Elizabeth Banks, is an American actress, director, producer, and comedian celebrated for her versatile performances across comedy and drama.

She gained widespread recognition for her roles as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games series (2012–2015) and Gail Abernathy-McKadden in the Pitch Perfect franchise (2012–2017), which she also produced.

Profile

• Full Name: Elizabeth Irene Banks
• Stage Name: Elizabeth Banks
• Born: 10, February 1974
• Age: 51 years old
• Birthplace: Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Director, Producer, Comedian
• Height: 1.65m
• Parents: Ann Mitchell, Mark Mitchell
• Siblings: Geoff Mitchell
• Spouse: Max Handelman (m. 2003)
• Children: Felix Handelman, Magnus Mitchell Handelman
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Irene Banks was born on February 10, 1974, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Ann Mitchell, a bank employee, and Mark Mitchell, a factory worker.

She grew up with her younger brother, Geoff Mitchell, in a working-class family.

Banks graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1992 and earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996, majoring in communications with a minor in theater arts.

She later completed an MFA at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco in 1998.

Her ethnicity is Caucasian, with Irish and English ancestry, and she has not publicly disclosed her religious beliefs.

Career

Elizabeth Banks began her acting career in 1998 with a role in the indie film Surrender Dorothy, credited as Elizabeth Casey.

Her early work included guest spots on Sex and the City (1999) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2001), as well as a small role in Shaft (2000).

Her breakout came as Betty Brant in Spider-Man (2002), followed by roles in Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Seabiscuit (2003), which showcased her ability to blend charm and wit.

She gained comedic recognition with The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) as Beth, stealing scenes in Judd Apatow’s hit comedy, which marked her rise in Hollywood.

Banks solidified her status with roles in Slither (2006), Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008), and Role Models (2008), while her portrayal of Laura Bush in W. (2008) demonstrated her dramatic range.

Her role as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games series (2012–2015) brought global fame, and her work as Gail in the Pitch Perfect trilogy, which she also produced through Brownstone Productions, grossed nearly $600 million worldwide.

Banks transitioned to directing with Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), which earned $287 million, making it the highest-grossing music comedy film at the time.

She later directed Charlie’s Angels (2019) and Cocaine Bear (2023), the latter praised for its wild, irreverent tone.

Banks continues to shape the entertainment industry through acting, directing, and producing.

Her recent roles include The Lego Movie (2014), Brightburn (2019), and A Mistake (2024), while her TV work includes Mrs. America (2020) and guest spots on Modern Family (2009–2020).

As co-founder of Brownstone Productions with her husband, Max Handelman, she produces projects like Bottoms (2023) and the upcoming Pitch Perfect series for Peacock.

Her advocacy for women in film and her ability to balance mainstream hits with bold, creative projects have made her a respected figure in Hollywood.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @elizabethbanks
• Facebook Handle: Elizabeth Banks
• Twitter Handle: @ElizabethBanks

Personal Life

Elizabeth Banks married Max Handelman, a sportswriter and producer, on July 5, 2003, after meeting at the University of Pennsylvania.

They have two sons, Felix Handelman and Magnus Mitchell Handelman, born via surrogacy in 2011 and 2012.

Based in Los Angeles, Banks leads a family-oriented life, often sharing her love for cooking, baseball, and supporting the Boston Red Sox.

Filmography

• Surrender Dorothy (1998)
• Shaft (2000)
• Spider-Man (2002)
• Catch Me If You Can (2002)
• Seabiscuit (2003)
• Slither (2006)
• Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
• Role Models (2008)
• The Hunger Games (2012)
• Pitch Perfect (2012)
• Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
• The Lego Movie (2014)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
• Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)
• Brightburn (2019)
• Mrs. America (2020)
• Cocaine Bear (2023)
• A Mistake (2024)

Net Worth

Elizabeth Banks has an estimated net worth of $50 million, primarily earned through her acting roles in major films like The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect, as well as her directorial and producing work through Brownstone Productions.

Her television appearances and endorsements, including campaigns with L’Oréal, further contribute to her financial success in the entertainment industry.