Actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks, known for her iconic roles in The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect, celebrated a milestone birthday this year.
A true Hollywood talent, Elizabeth has showcased her versatility by appearing in a wide range of film genres, from comedy and adventure to crime, before stepping behind the camera as a director in recent years.
As she turns 50, we take a look back at her remarkable life and career—from her breakout role to her enduring love story with her college sweetheart.
#1. Childhood and name change
Elizabeth Banks was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in an “old-school Irish Catholic family.” She is the eldest of four children, with her mother, Ann, working at a bank and her father, Mark, a Vietnam War veteran and factory worker.
Surprisingly, Elizabeth Banks isn’t the star’s real name. When she first joined the Screen Actors Guild as a young performer, she discovered that her birth name, Elizabeth Mitchell, was already registered with the union.
Faced with choosing a new name, she created a list, alphabetized it, and landed on “Banks.” Reflecting on the moment, she shared, “Banks was the first one on the list. I called SAG, and they said it was available, so I said, ‘I’ll take it!’ I just wanted it over with!”
#2. Meeting her childhood sweetheart
Elizabeth Banks has built a successful career starring in romantic comedies, but her real-life love story could easily be straight out of a movie.
The actress met her husband, Max Handelman, on her very first day as a student at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Their college romance blossomed into a lasting partnership, and the couple has been inseparable ever since.
“He was wearing a vest with no shirt … to show off his sexy physique back in the day,” Elizabeth recalled during a 2012 interview on Conan. He looked exactly like Jason Priestly from 90210, c’mon.
The actress: “I dated the same guy all throughout high school, and I basically — and he knows this so … this is no surprise to him — cheated on him with my now-husband.”
Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman were together for ten years before tying the knot in July 2003. Reflecting on her marriage in a 2019 interview with Net-A-Porter, Elizabeth shared, “It’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
She explained the secret to their long-lasting relationship: “People either grow together or grow apart. We definitely grew together. We were always making decisions that kept us close.” She added, “Some people go into marriage thinking, ‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll get divorced.’ That’s not me. You’re going to have bad moments, but you’ve committed. Do you value it, or don’t you?”
In 2002, the couple founded their own production company, and last year, they celebrated 20 years of marriage. Elizabeth marked the milestone on Instagram with a stunning black-and-white wedding photo, writing, “Time flies when you’re making an amazing life together. 20 years. Proudest achievement. Feels like yesterday. Love to all who celebrated with us. Couldn’t do it without you.”
#3. Rise to fame and acting beginnings
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Banks continued her acting journey by enrolling at the American Conservatory Theater to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree. While studying, she was offered a role in the soap opera Santa Barbara. However, accepting the part would have required her to drop out of her theater program, and with student loans already in place, Elizabeth made the difficult decision to decline the offer.
Her patience paid off, though, as another opportunity soon came her way. In 1998, the same year she graduated, Elizabeth made her screen debut in the independent film Surrender Dorothy, marking the start of her impressive career in Hollywood.
#4. Her breakout role and comedy work
After several years of starring in comedy films like Wet Hot American Summer and Seabiscuit, Elizabeth Banks got her big break in the 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin, alongside Steve Carell. The film’s success helped establish her as a talented comedic actress, leading to more roles in the genre, including appearances in the hit TV show Scrubs and the 2008 rom-com Definitely, Maybe.
However, her breakout role also opened the door to a wider range of genres. As Elizabeth continued to showcase her comedic talent, she also began exploring more diverse roles, proving her versatility as an actress across film and television.
In 2006, Elizabeth Banks showcased her range by playing Mark Wahlberg‘s love interest in the biographical sports drama Invincible, and in the same year, she starred in James Gunn’s comedy-horror film Slither.
From there, she continued to shine in comedy dramas and romantic comedies, often appearing alongside Paul Rudd in films like Role Models and Our Idiot Brother. Elizabeth also became a frequent co-star of Tobey Maguire, appearing not only in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy as Betty Brant but also alongside Maguire in the dark comedy The Details. These roles further solidified her reputation as a versatile and in-demand actress in Hollywood.
#5. The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect
In 2012, Elizabeth Banks landed one of her most recognizable roles as Effie Trinket, the Capitol escort, in The Hunger Games. Her captivating performance earned her the MTV Award for Best On-Screen Transformation. Elizabeth reprised her role in the sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2, further solidifying her place in the franchise.
That same year, she produced and starred in the hit comedy Pitch Perfect, alongside Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Adam DeVine. The film’s success led to two sequels, establishing Elizabeth not only as a talented actress but also as a savvy producer in the industry.
#6. Pregnancy and surrogacy journey
While 2011 was a significant year for Elizabeth Banks professionally, as she prepared for her roles in The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect, it also brought major changes in her personal life with the arrival of her first son, Felix.
He was followed by a second son, Magnus, in 2012. Both children were welcomed via surrogacy, a decision Elizabeth has been candid about, often discussing her fertility struggles, which she has referred to as her “broken belly.”
In a revealing interview with Net-A-Porter, Elizabeth shared her feelings of being “judged” for her choices regarding surrogacy. “I definitely think I’m still judged for what I’ve done, and that people don’t understand my choices,” she explained.
However, she added, “I don’t feel I owe anybody any explanation. If my story helps people feel less alone on their journey, then I’m grateful for that.” Her openness has resonated with many, shedding light on the complexities of family planning.
#7. Transition into directing
Elizabeth Banks made her feature directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2, where she also took on the roles of co-producer and star. Since then, she has directed two more films: the action-comedy Charlie’s Angels, which she also wrote, and the 2023 comedy-horror film Cocaine Bear.
While Elizabeth has clearly showcased her talent behind the camera, she continues to shine on screen as well. Her most recent starring role was in the 2022 drama Call Jane, which tells the story of a 1960s suburban housewife who becomes involved with an underground network of abortion activists after facing a life-threatening pregnancy.
This film further highlights her versatility as both an actress and a director, solidifying her place as a multifaceted talent in Hollywood.
