US Weekly Article - June 30 2003
The Hunks of the Hulk
"I've probably seen every episode of [The Incredible Hulk] TV show!" says Bana, a.k.a. Bruce Banner, the scientist who, when angered, morphs into the green giant. But it was the actor's role as a psycho-killer in 2000's Chopper - along with his work in 2001's Black Hawk Down - that convinced Hulk director Ang Lee to cast Bana. "I probably wouldn’t have gotten the part if I had to audition," he humbly says.
Did you hear the one about the stand-up comic turned thespian? It's true! Bana even had an Aussie sketch comedy series (Eric, 1996-1997) and performed in comedy clubs up until two years ago. "Here, people say 'You don't look funny,' but [down under] they go, 'How do you get away with drama!'" he says.
Sorry: He's taken! Bana has been married for about six years to Rebecca, a former publicist at an Australian TV network. The couple live in Melbourne with their kids, Klaus 4, and Sophia, 1.
In his next film, Troy - the Trojan War epic now filming in Malta - Bana (as the mythical Hector) battles Brad Pitt (as Achilles). "I haven't had this much fun since I was in school - and I haven't even disfigured Brad Pitt yet!"