Inspiration Awards honoree
Emmy nominated actress, producer and director Elizabeth Banks has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after and versatile actresses, easily navigating between stage and screen, comedy and drama. In addition to acting, she will make her feature directorial debut with “Pitch Perfect 2,” the sequel to the hit “Pitch Perfect.” She is also producing the film along with her husband, Max Handelman, through their company, Brownstone Productions. “Pitch Perfect 2” will be released on May 15th. Banks received the ‘Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year’ at the 2015 CinemaCon Awards for her directorial debut.
This summer, Banks stars in “Love & Mercy” which premiered at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival. Directed by Bill Pohlad, the film takes an unconventional look at the life of the celebrated leader of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, and his battle with mental illness. She also makes an appearance in “Magic Mike XXL,” the sequel to “Magic Mike” starring Channing Tatum and the indie “Every Secret Thing,” written by Nicole Holofcener. She recently wrapped production on the Netflix reprisal of the cult hit “Wet, Hot, American Summer.”
Banks will next star and produce the untitled HBO film playing Billie Jean King in the true story of the 1973 Battle of the Sexes tennis match in which King beat the former Wimbeldon champ Bobby Riggs. Paul Giamatti will star as Riggs. She and her husband also serve as producers on the comedy series “Resident Advisors” which is set in the sex-and-drugs world of college dorm life. “Resident Advisors” will launch on Hulu on April 9, 2015.
In 2014 she lent her voice as “Wyldstyle” in “The Lego Movie” which became Warner Bros’ biggest animated opening ever. She will reprise her role in the upcoming sequel. Last year Banks returned to her popular role as “Effie Trinket” in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.” She was previously seen in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and “The Hunger Games.” “Catching Fire” became the highest-grossing film released at the domestic box office in 2013 and the biggest November opening weekend in history. The first film is the third-highest debut in North American box office history. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” is scheduled for release on November 20, 2015.
Through Brownstone productions, Banks and her husband Max Handelman produced the hit film “Pitch Perfect” and upcoming sequel which Banks directed and appears in. The pair recently signed a production deal at Universal. Upcoming Brownstone slate includes two projects in development at Lionsgate: “White Girl Problems” and “Heist Society,” as well as “Dirty Rush” at Tristar and “Tink,” a Disney live-action romantic comedy in which Banks will star as ‘Tinkerbell.’ In the digital space the company produced “RA’s” a digital comedy series with Paramount Digital which will premiere on HULU on April 9, 2014. In 2009, Brownstone produced the sci-fi thriller “The Surrogates,” which starred Bruce Willis.
In 2008, Banks received critical acclaim for her role as ‘First Lady Laura Bush’ opposite Josh Brolin in Oliver Stone’s “W”. The cast included James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Burstyn and Jeffrey Wright. Banks’ additional feature credits include her breakthrough role in the award Academy Award winning film “Seabiscuit,” in which she starred as ‘Marcela Howard’ opposite Jeff Bridges and Tobey Maguire, and Steve Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can.” She has also appeared in “Walk of Shame,” “Little Accidents,” “Out Idiot Brother,” “The Details,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” “People Like Us,” “Man on a Ledge,” “The Next Three Days,” “Role Models,” “Meet Dave,” “Invincible,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Fred Claus,” “Sisters,” “Slither,” “Heights,” “The Baxter,” “The Trade,” “Ordinary Sinner,” “The Uninvited,” “Daltry Calhoun,” “Sexual Life”, John Singleton’s “Shaft” with Samuel L. Jackson and cult hit “Wet Hot American Summer.” She also appeared as journalist ‘Betty Brant’ in Columbia Pictures’ three blockbuster “Spider-Man” films starring Tobey Maguire.
On the small screen, Banks earned two Emmy Award nominations for ‘Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series’ for her performance as “Avery Jessup on “30 Rock.” She makes regular guest appearances on ABC’s “Modern Family” and appeared in a recurring role as ‘Dr. Kim Porter’ on NBC’s “Scrubs.”
Her extensive theater credits include many roles in American Conservatory Theatre productions, as well as the Guthrie Theater’s production of “Summer & Smoke” directed by David Esbjornson. In 2006 Banks played Cherie, the female lead in William Inge’s comedy “Bus Stop,” as part of the Williamstown Theater Festival.
Originally from Massachusetts, Banks received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Graduate Degree at the American Conservatory Theater. She is involved with many charities which include LA’s Best, Temple Israel of Hollywood, Planned Parenthood, The First Lady’s Reach Higher Initative, Heifer International and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
