Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Actor

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks is an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and director born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1974.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Elizabeth Banks is an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and director. She is known for major film roles and her directorial work on Pitch Perfect 2 and Cocaine Bear.

What it is

Elizabeth Banks, born Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, began her screen career with Surrender Dorothy (1998). She later built a broad acting career across film and television, including roles in the Spider-Man trilogy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, The Hunger Games, and Pitch Perfect.

Key details

Banks made her feature directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015. She also directed Charlie's Angels (2019) and Cocaine Bear (2023), and co-founded Brownstone Productions with her husband Max Handelman in 2002.

Personal life

Banks married sportswriter and producer Max Handelman in 2003. They have two children.

In short

  • Began acting in film with Surrender Dorothy (1998).
  • Widely known for roles in Spider-Man, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The Hunger Games.
  • Made directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2 (2015).
  • Co-founded Brownstone Productions in 2002.
Canadian angle

Elizabeth Banks is well known to Canadian audiences through major North American film franchises and releases such as The Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect, and Charlie's Angels.

Quick questions

Who is Elizabeth Banks?
Elizabeth Banks is an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and director known for roles in films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, The Hunger Games, and Pitch Perfect.
What movies has Elizabeth Banks been in?
Her films include Surrender Dorothy, Spider-Man, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, W., The Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect, and Cocaine Bear.
Did Elizabeth Banks direct a movie?
Yes. She directed Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie's Angels, and Cocaine Bear.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Banks
    Supports: Birth date, career overview, directorial debut, directed films, Brownstone Productions
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006969/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, acting credits, occupation
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/elizabeth-banks
    Supports: Marriage, age, acting career, directorial debut
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/elizabeth_banks
    Supports: Career summary, directorial debut, filmography