An accomplished dramatic actor and comedian, he received Australia’s highest film and television awards for his performances in Chopper, Full Frontal and Romulus, My Father. Bana has performed across a wide spectrum of leading roles in a variety of low-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to science fiction and action thrillers. His father was a logistics manager for Caterpillar, Inc., and his German-born mother, Eleanor, was a hairdresser. His stand-up gigs in inner-city pubs did not provide him with enough income to support himself, so he continued his work as a barman and bussing tables. in 1993, Bana made his television debut on Steve Vizard’s late night talk show, Tonight Live.