- Actress Elizabeth Banks turns 50 today
- She is celebrated for many of her roles in Hollywood today
- HERE is a look back at how it all started
Elizabeth Banks was born Elizabeth Mitchell in Pittsfield, a small city in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts near the New York border, on February 10, 1974. She always seemed to be destined to make it in Hollywood.
Banks left home to attend college at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to attend the Advanced Training Program at the prestigious American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, graduating in 1996.
Elizabeth had a flare for the dramatic
She then moved to New York worked in the theater, and began getting small roles in films and on television. Seeking more screenwork, she moved to Los Angeles and was soon cast in supporting roles. She also had to change her last name, to Banks, in order to avoid confusion with actress Elizabeth Mitchell.
It wasn't long before her big break came. Her breakthrough role was as "Betty Brant", the secretary of the cantankerous newspaper tycoon in Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man'. She followed up this performance with small roles in other movies like 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'.
In 2003 she won the Exciting New Face Award at the Young Hollywood Awards.
She has also been a big star on the small screen. Banks was a recurring guest star on 'Scrubs'. In 2010 she was cast in season four of '30 Rock'. Originally scheduled to appear in only four episodes, she was brought back as a recurring character for two more seasons and earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for two consecutive years.
Elizabeth has also appeared in such films as 'Man on a Ledge', 'What to Expect When You're Expecting', and 'Pitch Perfect'. She also won the coveted role as Effie Trinket in 'The Hunger Games' and 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'.
Banks is a lady of many talents. Did you know she can speak fluent Spanish? From intense dramas to light-hearted comedies, Elizabeth Banks has showcased her ability to take on diverse roles with depth and authenticity, captivating viewers with each performance.
Her versatility as an actress allows her to effortlessly transition between genres, showcasing her range and depth in each role she takes on.
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As far as her personal life goes, things are looking great. After an eleven-year courtship, Banks married Max Handelman, a sports writer and producer, in 2003. They have two sons, Felix, who was born in March 2011, and Magnus, born in Nov. 2012, both by gestational surrogacy.
Banks is actively involved in philanthropy work and supports various causes, including Stand Up to Cancer, a charitable program dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and awareness.
She's also a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. She frequently uses her platform to raise awareness and promote social justice causes.
