
Jonathan Banks
ActingAbout Jonathan Banks
Jonathan Banks (born January 31, 1947) is an American character actor in film and television. Banks dropped out of Indiana University to join a touring company as a stage manager. He went to Australia with the company and stayed on working in theatre there. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles and performed on stage before picking up bit parts on television. Probably his best-known movie roles are in two films starring Eddie Murphy: 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop. In 48 Hrs. he plays a character who is a friend of the lead and is killed by the villain, beginning the lead characters' story. In Beverly Hills Cop, he plays a villain who kills the lead characters' friend and begins his story. Other movie roles include appearances in Armed and Dangerous, Freejack, Flipper, Airplane!, Gremlins, Murder Me, Murder You, and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory. His biggest break on television, came with the series Wiseguy, in which he played Frank McPike for four years, a role which led to an Emmy award nomination. Although his character was primarily the hero's mentor, stories occasionally featured McPike as hero. In 1981 he appeared as Dutch Schultz on the NBC series the Gangster Chronicles. He also starred on the short-lived science fiction TV series Otherworld, as Kommander Neveen Kroll and in the sitcom Fired Up. Banks has also made guest appearances on TV shows including Alias, CSI, Day Break, Highlander: The Series, Matlock, SeaQuest DSV, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Women of the House and Walker Texas Ranger. Most recently, Banks appeared in the final Season Two episodes of Dexter, and in episodes of ER, Cold Case, and Shark, Modern Family. In the second season finale of Breaking Bad, Banks appeared as a mysterious character named Mike. Banks was made a series regular for the third season.
Jonathan Banks Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Jonathan Banks reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Jonathan Banks's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 62% of Jonathan Banks's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Shadow of Obsession, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Jonathan Banks Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jonathan Banks's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Jonathan Banks has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
Jonathan Banks - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jonathan Banks?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jonathan Banks is "Shadow of Obsession" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Jonathan Banks acted in?
Jonathan Banks has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jonathan Banks?
Other notable films include "Desperate Voyage", "Gangster Wars", and "Incredibles 2".




