There is no question that Elizabeth Banks has one of the most versatile careers in show business, whether it’s acting in all sorts of projects including her current Prime Video limited series The Better Sister, directing a variety of box office hits like Pitch Perfect, Charlie’s Angels and the unexpected Cocaine Bear, or turning around and hosting a network game show Press Your Luck. As you can see it is hard to nail down what drives someone with this kind of varied resume. I attempt to do that when she joined me for this week’s episode of my Deadline video series The Actor’s Side.
With three Emmy nominations and acting credits that include recent indies like Skincare, Beanie Bubble, A Mistake, Call Jane, and the animated hit, Migration to a list of other notable roles in movies like Hunger Games, Magic Mike, Catch Me If You Can, 40 Year Old Virgin, W, Love & Mercy (a personal favorite in which she played the late Brian Wilson’s wife Melinda,) Spider-Man, and countless others. Banks has always been in demand in front of the camera just as she seems equally comfortable behind it as director and producer. And who would have guessed she could find equal success producing and hosting the ABC game show, Press Your Luck (returning with new episodes July 10)?
We discuss all of this and more including what has drawn her to The Better Sister in a rich character role opposite Jessica Biel, as well as other long form series she has been shooting of late. There is no stopping Elizabeth Banks so to watch our conversation and get the ‘Actor’s Side’ of things from her just click on the link above.
Watch on Deadline
Join me every Wednesday during Emmy season for another edition of The Actor’s Side.