Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks (born February 10, 1974) is an American actress.

Biography

Personal life

Banks was born Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. As a young child, she was a contestant on the Nickelodeon game show Finders Keepers. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1992 and is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (1996). In 1998 she completed schooling at the American Conservatory Theater. In 2003, Banks married Max Handelman, who had been her boyfriend since college. She converted to Judaism upon marrying him.

Career

Banks is known for her roles in Seabiscuit, Heights, the Spider-Man films (playing the part of Betty Brant), and the cult comedy Wet Hot American Summer. She quickly gained widespread exposure through movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Slither. She also plays Mark Wahlberg's love interest in the Disney movie, Invincible.
In May 2006, she appeared in the season five finale of the NBC sitcom Scrubs as Dr. Kim Briggs, the love interest of J.D. (Zach Braff). The character has appeared throughout season six as a recurring guest star. Banks will also be a recurring guest throughout season seven. In the same year she also appeared on the show Stella, as she is a long time friend of the creators/stars of the show, the Stella comedy troupe.
Banks is also due to star in a number of upcoming comedies. She plays the female lead in the dark comedy Meet Bill, alongside Aaron Eckhart and Jessica Alba. Banks also has a small role in the 2007 family comedy Fred Claus, along with Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti, and played a love interest in the 2008 comedy Definitely, Maybe. She recently started filming the thriller A Tale of Two Sisters.
Next up will be a starring role in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, written and directed by Kevin Smith and co-starring Seth Rogen. She is currently in final talks to play Laura Bush in Oliver Stone's biopic film W, which is on the life and presidency of George W. Bush.