Eric Bana
Avner Kauffman, Munich
Age: 37
Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
Essential Filmography: Chopper (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), The Hulk (2003), Troy (2004)

PREMIERE: Who are your idols?
I started in the business doing stand-up comedy, and one of my earliest influences was Richard Pryor. And two others: Paul Newman and Barry Humphries, the man behind Dame Edna. I remember seeing Dame Edna live in the mid-’80s, and it was a life-changing experience.

What’s your most humiliating rejection story?
It comes from my stand-up comedy days. Although I had a really good run for a long time, about six months into my career I had a gig that everybody warns you about: I was screamed offstage by four hundred people about five minutes into a thirty-minute set. There was one beer can thrown and a lot of abuse.

Best bit of acting advice?
Have a life before you try and put one up onscreen.

If you could have starred in any movie ever, what would it have been?
Le Mans. It’s not the greatest movie of all time, but I’m sure Steve McQueen had more fun making that film than any other actor making a film.

If you weren't acting, you would be . . . ?
I’d probably pursue my hobby full time: motor racing.