
Jonathan Banks
- Date of Birth: 1947-01-31
- Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., USA
Biography
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 Australi... 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.

Tales from the Crypt
Comedy, Mystery, Crime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy • 1989 June

Fired Up
Comedy • 1997 April

Community
Comedy • 2009 September

Lie to Me
Crime, Drama, Mystery • 2009 January

E-Ring
Drama, Action & Adventure • 2005 September

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama • 1993 January

Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Animation, Kids, Sci-Fi & Fantasy • 2023 February

Little House on the Prairie
Western, Drama, Family • 1974 September

Modern Family
Comedy • 2009 September

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Talk, Comedy, News • 2014 April