Jonathan Banks Net Worth: An In-Depth Look at His Career and Earnings

Jonathan Banks, the seasoned actor best known for his iconic roles in crime dramas like Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, has built an impressive career that spans decades. With a net worth of $8 million, Banks’ rise to fame and wealth is a testament to his dedication, talent, and adaptability in the entertainment industry. This article takes a detailed look at Jonathan Banks’ career, his net worth, salary, and personal life, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of television’s most recognized actors.

What is Jonathan Banks’ Net Worth and Salary?

Jonathan Banks has a current estimated net worth of $8 million, a significant sum that reflects his decades-long career in both television and film. His most notable contributions to pop culture include his portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut in the groundbreaking TV series Breaking Bad and the prequel Better Call Saul. These roles, coupled with his work in voice acting, have not only solidified his place in Hollywood but also boosted his financial success.

Better Call Saul Salary

One of the most financially rewarding roles of Banks’ career came with his portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut in Better Call Saul. During the final two seasons of the show, Banks earned a substantial salary of $100,000 per episode. This equated to approximately $1 million per season, a hefty sum that reflected his importance in the series and his growing fame as an actor. As Better Call Saul garnered more critical acclaim and attracted a larger audience, Banks’ salary mirrored the show’s increasing success.

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Banks was born on January 31, 1947, in Washington, D.C. His father worked as a civil servant, while his mother taught at Indiana State University and served in various secretarial roles within federal government offices. Banks spent much of his childhood in Chillum Heights, Maryland. After completing his studies at Northwood High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, Banks attended Indiana University Bloomington, where he further honed his craft and laid the groundwork for his career in acting.

Career Beginnings

After graduating from Indiana University, Banks initially pursued a career in theater. He worked as a stage manager for a touring production of the musical Hair, which took him to Australia and New Zealand. Following this, Banks moved to Los Angeles in 1974, where he continued to explore theater before making the transition into film and television.

Television Career

Jonathan Banks’ career in television began in 1976 with guest roles in the TV series Barnaby Jones and the TV movie The Macahans. His early work in television set the stage for more notable appearances throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. He appeared in several popular TV shows, including Family, Carter Country, and Lou Grant. Additionally, Banks had roles in the television films Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn and The Night They Took Miss Beautiful. He closed out the 1970s with a recurring role on The Waltons.

In the early 1980s, Banks continued to build his television resume with guest roles on iconic shows such as Little House on the Prairie, Best of the West, and Hill Street Blues. He also appeared in TV films like The Invisible Woman and Murder Me, Murder You. His portrayal of mobster Dutch Schultz in the miniseries The Gangster Chronicles marked a significant milestone in his career.

In 1985, Banks was cast as Commander Nuveen Kroll in the short-lived science fiction series Otherworld. However, it was in 1987 that he landed a breakthrough role in Wiseguy, where he portrayed FBI Special Agent Frank McPike. Wiseguy ran for four seasons until 1990, and Banks earned an Emmy Award nomination for his performance. Following Wiseguy, Banks continued to appear in high-profile television roles, including guest spots on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Matlock, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Due South.

Expanding Into the 1990s and Beyond

After the success of Wiseguy, Banks maintained a steady presence on television in the 1990s. He appeared in numerous episodes of Matlock, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Due South. Banks also starred in the NBC sitcom Fired Up, which ran for a short time, and had supporting roles in the TNT TV movie Dollar for the Dead.

Entering the 2000s, Banks continued to stay relevant on television with roles in series such as Diagnosis: Murder, The Trouble with Normal, The District, and Alias. He also appeared in popular shows like Joan of Arcadia, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace, and Lie to Me.

In 2009, Banks became widely recognized for his portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut in the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad. Banks’ portrayal of the no-nonsense, morally ambiguous fixer quickly became one of the show’s fan-favorite characters, earning him an Emmy nomination for his performance. His work in Breaking Bad led to his reprisal of the character in Better Call Saul, which ran from 2015 to 2022. His performance in the prequel series earned him four more Emmy nominations, further cementing his legacy as one of television’s finest character actors.

Banks also appeared in notable guest roles on Community and lent his voice to several animated series, including Skylanders Academy, Tangled: The Series, and A Tale Dark & Grimm.

Film Career

Jonathan Banks’ film career spans across several decades, with notable roles in both comedic and dramatic films. His film debut came in 1978 with a small role in Coming Home. Later that year, he appeared in The Cheap Detective and Who’ll Stop the Rain.

Throughout the 1980s, Banks starred in a variety of films, including Airplane!, Stir Crazy, Gremlins, Beverly Hills Cop, and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. His other significant films from the 1980s and early 1990s included 48 Hrs., Frances, Freejack, and Cold Steel.

As the years went on, Banks’ roles continued to diversify. He appeared in Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles and Dark Blue in the early 2000s. His filmography also includes roles in Reign Over Me, Watercolor Postcards, and Identity Thief. More recently, he appeared in Bullet, Authors Anonymous, and Horrible Bosses 2.

In 2016, Banks played Harper in Term Life, followed by his role as Pappy McAllan in the acclaimed drama Mudbound. He also appeared in the action film The Commuter in 2018, and voiced Rick Dicker in Incredibles 2. Banks continued his association with Breaking Bad by reprising his role as Mike Ehrmantraut in the 2019 film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.

Personal Life

Jonathan Banks’ personal life has seen its share of milestones. He married his first wife, Marnie Fausch, in 1968. The couple had a daughter, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1970. In 1990, Banks married Gennera Cebian, and together they had fraternal twins.

Malibu House

Jonathan Banks’ real estate investments are also noteworthy. In 1990, he purchased a home in the Malibu hills for $1.185 million. Today, the value of this property has skyrocketed, with estimates placing its worth between $5 million and $7 million.

Conclusion

Jonathan Banks’ career is a prime example of hard work, persistence, and adaptability in the entertainment industry. From his early days in television to his iconic role as Mike Ehrmantraut, Banks has left an indelible mark on the world of film and TV. 

With a net worth of $8 million, an impressive body of work, and a reputation for his versatile acting, Jonathan Banks remains one of the most respected actors in Hollywood today. Whether on-screen or voicing animated characters, Banks’ talent continues to captivate audiences, making him a household name in both television and film.

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