Jonathan Banks
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1947-01-31
    • Born Place: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Also Known As:

    Jonathan Ray Banks, 조나단 뱅스, جاناتان بنکس

Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Ray Banks (born January 31, 1947) is a distinguished American actor known for his compelling portrayal of often gruff, morally ambiguous, and highly competent characters across film, television, and stage. A native of Washington, D.C., Banks developed an early interest in acting, leading him to study theater at Indiana University Bloomington, where he was a classmate of Kevin Kline. His early career involved stage work and smaller roles in films like Who'll Stop the Rain (1978), The Cheap Detective (1978), and The Rose (1979).Banks gained significant recognition for his role as FBI Special Agent Frank McPike in the critically acclaimed television series Wiseguy (1987-1990), which earned him his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination. However, he achieved widespread international fame and critical adoration much later in his career for his iconic portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut, a stoic and resourceful former police officer turned fixer, in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad (2008-2013), its spin-off prequel Better Call Saul (2015-2022), and the film sequel El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019). His performance as Mike garnered him multiple Emmy nominations and awards, cementing his status as a master of nuanced character acting.Beyond these career-defining roles, Banks has an extensive filmography that includes appearances in films such as Airplane! (1980), 48 Hrs. (1982), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Gremlins (1984), Identity Thief (2013), Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), and Mudbound (2017). He has also made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows like Dexter, Community, Modern Family, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, ER, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Banks is celebrated for his ability to convey immense depth and unspoken history through subtle expressions and a distinctive gravelly voice, often playing tough, world-weary figures who operate in the shadows but possess a strong moral code, even if unconventional. His consistent and impactful performances have made him one of the most respected character actors in Hollywood.

Person History