Courageous Hector, the invincible Hulk, cruel Henry VIII, the treacherous captain Nero - all these (and many other) heroes are united by what their actor Eric Bana played, who on August 9 marked the 50th anniversary.

The real name of Erik is Banadinovich, he is on the father - Croat. Today he lives in his native Australia and leaves it only when he is in the movie. Bana loves racing and does not like to practice in the gym. Although, most likely, disingenuous - because of his strong torso, you can not say that the actor forgot to go to the road.

Today Eric, who started in the stand-up genre, can cope with any role. He played the king and noble avenger, an ancient Greek hero and comic book hero, a ruthless criminal and a brave soldier. However, no matter where he was shot and what would be the temptations nor promised him star life, Eric always returns home, to Australia, to his wife Rebecca Glisson and children - the son of Klaus and the daughter of Sofia.

- My childhood passed before the TV. I remember, I loved to portray the characters of films, and it always amused parents.

- A father comes from Croatia, and his mother is a German. True, the last time I was in Croatia as a child.

"We, Banadinovichi, cherish the memory of our roots. But I was born on the Green Continent, therefore, an Australian. Besides, for many years I have divided the time between home and the US, so even a little bit more and the American.

- We, Australians, people on earth. Our recent ancestors had to work hard to turn the backyard of the globe into a flourishing country.

- In Melbourne I'm at home. I'm a father, a husband, a mechanic - these are my main roles that help me keep my balance. So I'm not going anywhere..

- When I was a bartender and a waiter in one bar, I suddenly realized that I was good at making people laugh. The owner promptly orientated himself and suggested that in his spare time he should speak to the visitors.

- I always like to play and colleagues, and friends, and relatives. I started as a comedian.

- My mind is very skeptical. This perception of life annoys me, but I can not change it.

- The actor must be able to play any role. At the beginning of my career, I performed with parodies, then I liked it. When I started acting, I decided to try myself in a drama. Always looking for roles that challenge me as an actor.

- The only thing I'm afraid of - to live to 90 years and never learn how to make beautiful furniture with their own hands. I very much envy the artisans.

- You will never find me admiring his reflection in the mirror. I am that I am. If someone thinks that I'm sexy, well, I'm just glad. Although it probably does not flatter me more, but my wife.

- On the set of "Troy", Brad Pitt and I constantly fired. The director reproached him for being "not muscular enough". Here, they say, look at Eric, how he pumped himself! Pitt complained that these nitpicking scares him terribly, because he, too, works hard in the gym, be healthy.

- I will never agree to appear in a picture, where the insurance company will not allow me, let's say, cut on a bike. It's such a bore.

- Race is not much more dangerous than usual driving on a car without fastening. Only once I almost was not killed. The car is soft, and on me no scratches. Moreover, there was no fear at that moment, it worried only because of the machine. I myself collected it for about twenty years, probably.

- Training in the hall for those who do not have friends. I do not go in for sports. Once I had to - for the role. I said to myself: "Patience, you will never do that again! ". It was a waste of time. There are much more pleasant activities in life!.

- In fact, in my heart I am a terrible pessimist. In that, of course, it's hard to believe, looking from the side ... - I always advise friends - marry girls who like to laugh. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who knows how to laugh with all her heart. I mix my wife every day. Not because he was a comedian, but because she was a laughter by herself.

- Rebecca calls me a pragmatic romantic. For example, she appreciates the fact that I fill her car. (Laughs). ) - I was amazed that Steven Spielberg (Bana starred in his film "Munich". - Prim. red. ) personally started to explain to me what he wants, what meanings he puts into the script, what my character sees. And only after I asked if I was ready to take up this role. I even could not resist and joked - they say, what do you use if you ask such questions?.

- Many of my wonderful colleagues are trying to insist on their vision of the role, but I consider myself only a performer in the orchestra. This director should think about how everything will sound together, on what compromises to go, whose role to strengthen. My job is to obey and do everything possible to realize his plan.

- I never complain about difficulties, but, unlike many actors, I also never say that the shooting was "fun and funny".

You work hard, you're always in suspense - what kind of jokes are there?.

- In the movie I'm interested not in the events, but in the characters.

- I like to play people who do difficult work, not building themselves from supermen, without strumming orders and not sticking out oneself.

- In my deepest conviction, I'm really lucky. As my father said, luck is only an opportunity to do what has always been wanted. It seems that this very luck did not pass me by.