Elizabeth Banks’ name may have strong recall right now, thanks to major roles in recent films W. and Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance—in an interview with USA Today, she admitted she wasn’t bent on becoming an actress.  “I wanted to get a good job that paid me a lot of money!” she said.  “I thought I was going to be a lawyer probably.  Or a broadcast journalist.  I was a little lost.”

Nevertheless, she found herself dabbling in acting, landing small roles on television shows and films.  She eventually made some breakthroughs, with roles in Seabiscuit, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Meet Dave—not all were hits, but she pushed on.  “If you're going to fail, fail marvelously,” she said.  “Fail big.”

Now she is making waves with acclaimed roles in her recent films.  She played the First Lady, Laura Bush, in W., a performance that has earned rave reviews from critics.  The controversial Zack and Miri sees her play the free-spirited would-be porn star to get her and her friend out of debt.  Her co-workers have been all praises for her.

“She amazed me because I never recognized her,” W. director Oliver Stone said of Banks’ ability to change her appearance in accordance with her role.  “[She] will change every day.  She would look different.  She’s a funny girl that way.”

Zack and Miri’s director, Kevin Smith, also says the same.  “She has the goods, man,” he said.  “And now, I think she’s going to become a household name.  People are going to know her.”

But Banks hopes and believes the fame wouldn’t really get into her.  “I'm a working-class girl, with a good work ethic,” she said.  “I’m not trying to have Jake Gyllenhaal’s baby.  I’m not a major fashionista.  I’m not going through a lesbian phase.  I’m just normal.  I’m just really freakin’ normal.”


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: USA Today
(Image courtesy of Lionsgate Films)