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

Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks is an American actor best known for playing Mike Ehrmantraut in *Breaking Bad*, *Better Call Saul*, and *El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie*.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Jonathan Banks is an American actor widely recognized for playing Mike Ehrmantraut in the *Breaking Bad* franchise. He also earned attention for his earlier role as Frank McPike in *Wiseguy* and appearances in films like *Airplane!*, *48 Hrs.*, and *Beverly Hills Cop*.

Who he is

Jonathan Ray Banks was born in Washington, D.C., in 1947 and studied at Indiana University before pursuing acting. He built a steady career playing character roles, often as villains, across film and television.

What he is known for

Banks gained renewed prominence for portraying Mike Ehrmantraut in *Breaking Bad*, a role he reprised in *Better Call Saul* and *El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie*. This performance became his signature and earned multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Career highlights

Earlier in his career, Banks had a television breakthrough as Frank McPike in *Wiseguy*. He also appeared in notable films such as *Airplane!*, *48 Hrs.*, and *Beverly Hills Cop*. His work spans from the 1970s to the present.

In short

  • Best known as Mike Ehrmantraut in *Breaking Bad*, *Better Call Saul*, and *El Camino*.
  • Television breakthrough came as Frank McPike in *Wiseguy*.
  • Appeared in films like *Airplane!*, *48 Hrs.*, and *Beverly Hills Cop*.
  • Received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations for supporting roles.

Quick questions

Who is Jonathan Banks?
Jonathan Banks is an American actor best known for playing Mike Ehrmantraut in the *Breaking Bad* franchise.
What was Jonathan Banks's breakthrough role?
His television breakthrough is commonly associated with Frank McPike in *Wiseguy*.
Which films is Jonathan Banks known for?
He is known for supporting roles in *Airplane!*, *48 Hrs.*, and *Beverly Hills Cop*.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Banks
    Supports: Birth date, birth place, major roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino.
  2. Television Academy — https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/jonathan-banks
    Supports: Birthplace, early film roles, and Emmy-related career recognition.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0052186/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, place of birth, and career description.
  4. TMDb — https://www.themoviedb.org/person/783-jonathan-banks?language=en-US
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and identification as an American actor.
  5. Indiana University Honors and Awards — https://honorsandawards.iu.edu/awards/honoree/7917.html
    Supports: Alumnus status, Emmy nominations, and honorary doctorate.