Ștefan Bănică Jr. Biography: Children, Wife, Films, Songs, Parents, Ethnicity, Siblings, Net Worth, Age, Height

Ștefan Bănică Jr. is a Romanian actor, singer, and television personality, renowned for his dynamic performances in music, film, and theatre.

Son of the legendary actor Ștefan Bănică Sr., he carved his own path with a prolific career spanning over 15 albums, numerous chart-topping hits like “Găsește-mi loc în inima ta,” and roles in films such as Liceenii (1986) and Ho Ho Ho (2009).

A leading figure at Bucharest’s Teatrul de Comedie, Bănică Jr. has also gained fame as a coach on X Factor Romania and a judge on Te cunosc de undeva! His energetic live concerts, often sold out, and his versatility across genres—pop, rock, and musical theatre—have made him one of Romania’s most beloved entertainers.

Profile

• Full Name: Ștefan Bănică
• Stage Name: Ștefan Bănică Jr.
• Born: 18 October 1967
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania
• Nationality: Romanian
• Occupation: Actor, Singer, Television Personality
• Height: 1.77 m
• Parents: Ștefan Bănică Sr. (father, deceased 1987), Sanda Liteanu (mother)
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Lavinia Pîrva (m. 2017), Andreea Marin (m. 2006–2013), Mihaela Rădulescu (m.1997–1999)
• Children: Ștefan Bănică III , Ana Violeta Bănică , Alexandru Bănică
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5–7 million USD

Early Life and Education

Ștefan Bănică Jr. was born on 18 October 1967 in Bucharest, Romania, to Ștefan Bănică Sr., a celebrated actor and singer, and Sanda Liteanu, an actress.

As an only child, he grew up immersed in the arts, influenced by his father’s performances at Teatrul Bulandra and his mother’s stage work, as noted in a 2023 Adevărul interview.

His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother primarily raised him after his father’s death in 1987. Bănică Jr. attended the I.L. Caragiale National College in Bucharest, where he began performing in school plays.

He graduated from the I.L. Caragiale Institute of Theatre and Film Arts (UNATC) in 1990, studying under professors like Ion Cojar, who prepared him for a career in acting and music. His ethnicity is Romanian, and his religion is not publicly known.

Career

Ștefan Bănică Jr. debuted in 1982 at age 14 with a role in Fram, ursul polar at Teatrul Țăndărică. His breakout came in 1986 as Mihai in Liceenii, a teen romantic comedy that became a Romanian classic, followed by sequels Extemporal la dirigenție (1987) and Liceenii Rock ‘n’ Roll (1991).

He joined Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest in 1990, starring in productions such as Revizorul and Chicago, where he showcased his talents as a singer and dancer.

His film roles include Triunghiul morții (1999), Ho Ho Ho (2009), and Faci sau taci (2019), while television credits feature În puii mei (2009–2012) and Las Fierbinți (2012). His theatre work earned him the 2007 UNITER Award for Best Actor for Revizorul.

Bănică Jr. launched his music career in 1991 with the album Un actor, un rock’n’roll, blending rock and pop influences inspired by his father. His 1996 album Al 4-lea album featured the hit “Găsește-mi loc în inima ta,” topping Romanian charts.

Subsequent albums like De dragoste… în toate felurile (2001), Zăpadă de mai (2003), and Duete (2006) solidified his popularity, with collaborations including Andreea Marin and Loredana Groza.

His 2017 album Picat din Lună and 2023 single “Când n-ai noroc în dragoste” reflect his continued relevance. Known for extravagant live shows, his annual Christmas concerts at Sala Palatului sell out, drawing thousands, as reported by Libertatea in 2024.

Bănică Jr. became a household name on television as a coach on X Factor Romania (2014–2018) and a judge on Te cunosc de undeva! (2012–present), where his humour and mentorship, including with his daughter Violeta, earned praise, according to Antena 1. He hosted Dansez pentru tine (2007–2013) and appeared as a guest on Vocea României in 2016.

His TV presence, combining charisma and critique, has kept him a fan favourite, with X posts lauding his 2025 Te cunosc de undeva! Season. Currently, Bănică Jr. balances music, theatre, and television, with 2025 performances at Teatrul de Comedie in Un cuplu ciudat and a planned Christmas concert series.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @stefanbanicajr
• Facebook Handle: Ștefan Bănică

Personal Life

Ștefan Bănică Jr. married Mihaela Rădulescu in 1997, divorcing in 1999, followed by Andreea Marin from 2006 to 2013, with whom he has a daughter, Ana Violeta (born 2007).

Since 2017, he has been married to singer Lavinia Pîrva, and they have two sons: Alexandru (born 2019) and an unnamed son born in 2024, according to Click. Ro. His eldest son, Ștefan Bănică III (born 2002), from a relationship with Camelia Constantinescu, is an aspiring actor.

Filmography

• Liceenii (1986) – Mihai
• Extemporal la dirigenție (1987) – Mihai
• Liceenii Rock ‘n’ Roll (1991) – Mihai
• Triunghiul morții (1999) – Supporting Role
• Ho Ho Ho (2009) – Ion
• În puii mei (2009–2012) – Various Roles
• Las Fierbinți (2012) – Guest Role
• Faci sau taci (2019) – Supporting Role

Discography

• Un actor, un rock’n’roll (1991)
• Ștefan Bănică Jr. (1992)
• Al 3-lea album (1994)
• Al 4-lea album (1996)
• De dragoste… în toate felurile (2001)
• Zăpadă de mai (2003)
• Duete (2006)
• Imn despre București (2007)
• Best Of (2008)
• Cântece de Crăciun (2010)
• Altceva (2012)
• Ce e dragostea? (2015)
• Picat din Lună (2017)
• Când n-ai noroc în dragoste (2023)

Net Worth

Ștefan Bănică Jr. has an estimated net worth of $5–7 million USD, derived from his music career, including album sales and sold-out concerts, acting roles in film and theatre, and television appearances on X Factor Romania and Te cunosc de undeva!.