Welcome to the world of Jonathan Banks, where words are wielded like weapons and wisdom flows like a steady stream. Jonathan Banks, a seasoned actor whose career spans decades, has left an indelible mark on both the silver screen and the small screen. Known for his gritty portrayals and razor-sharp delivery, Banks has crafted characters that linger in the minds of audiences long after the credits roll.
From his iconic role as the no-nonsense fixer Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad to his compelling performance as the stoic enforcer Frank McPike in Wiseguy, Jonathan Banks has consistently captivated viewers with his nuanced performances and unforgettable quotes. With each line delivered with precision and depth, Banks has a knack for breathing life into characters and elevating every scene he graces. Join us as we delve into the profound and thought-provoking quotes from Jonathan Banks, a master of his craft.
I grew up in Washington, D.C. Suffice to say, it was not a garden spot. Jonathan Banks
I love Russell Crowe’s line to Oliver Reed in ‘Gladiator’ where he asks him, ‘Are you in danger of becoming a good man?’ It’s one of my favorite lines ever. Jonathan Banks
I was a janitor when I was 16, cleaning out garbage rooms in Washington, D.C., and they were foul. It gets really hot in D.C. in the summertime, and you then take on the essence of garbage. People would stand away from me on the sidewalk as I came toward them. Jonathan Banks
If I could ban boxing, I probably would, but I’ll tell you in the same breath, I loved it growing up. Jonathan Banks
The funniest guy I’ve ever worked with – it’s just one of those things, again, where we look at each other and just laugh – is Jimmy Byrnes from ‘Wiseguy.’ Jimmy – we can’t be in the same room together. He knows he can make me laugh just by looking at me. Jonathan Banks
I was a latchkey kid from the time I was 7 years old. Jonathan Banks
That first episode of ‘Newsroom,’ the way it just cooked, I thought it was really good. Jonathan Banks
There’s a lot of people in my family who’ve adopted children. Jonathan Banks
Thank God for theater and film and television and my very, very, very lucky life. Jonathan Banks
I have no trouble walking around. But every once in a while, somebody will come, during the course of the day, and say, ‘Oh, I recognize you from such-and-such,’ and yeah, they’ll make a connection. I think for the most part, people don’t go, ‘Where do I know him from? Does he work at the bank?’ Jonathan Banks
‘Homeland’ is great. Jonathan Banks
If you had ever told me that the finest film work was going to be done on television, I wouldn’t have believed it. Jonathan Banks
When I walk onto a set, no matter what it is, I always do the very best work that I can. But I’m not braindead, and I want to do things that I want to do, you know? Jonathan Banks
I say this to young actors: You don’t get into this because you think you’re average. You get into this because you think, ‘I’m good.’ It’s an art form, and I’m an artist. But as an artist, you know there’s not a soul in the world that’s going to believe in you other than yourself. Jonathan Banks
Ed O’Neill is just a good, good human being. Jonathan Banks
I’ve played a lot of bad guys over the years, a lot of hardcore guys. At the same time, I’ve done a lot of comedy. Jonathan Banks
If you had told me in the Seventies and Eighties that TV would be as edgy or edgier than most films, and more intelligently written than most films, I wouldn’t have believed it. There’s great stuff out there. Jonathan Banks
In my junior year, I saw ‘Zorba the Greek’ with Anthony Quinn, and I was transported by it. I wanted to live, laugh, travel. Jonathan Banks
‘Wiseguy’ for its time was good. It was really good. And it holds up still. But a lot of the restraints have been taken off now. Jonathan Banks
If I had my way, we’d rehearse things to death. Jonathan Banks
It’s not that I don’t enjoy a good mystery that comes and goes in a hour. I do, but God, ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Saul’ unfold like novels. Jonathan Banks
I like my wife. I’m stupid in love with my wife and always have been. Jonathan Banks
I honestly do feel – and I hope I don’t gag anybody if they read this – but I feel like I’m one of the luckiest people in the world. Jonathan Banks
I do always get cast in these world-weary parts. Jonathan Banks
I grew up in Chillum Heights in the Washington, D.C. area., and it was never a garden spot. When guys go, ‘Hey, when I grew up, my neighborhood was tough, and it was this and that’… the reality is that it was just a terribly sad place. And thank God, I was able to escape it. Jonathan Banks
I’ve died so many times. I’m 65. On my 40th birthday, my girlfriend gave me a reel with ways I had died, whether it was by knife, or electrocution or drowning or being thrown off a building or whatever it might have been. I’ve died a lot of times! Jonathan Banks
I think I’ve been cast as toughs as far as I can remember always, always. Jonathan Banks
You can never know your lines well enough, and you better listen. Jonathan Banks
God bless my mother – she’s long gone now, but she’d work all day and go to school at night. She started out in life as a housekeeper at 15 years old, totally on her own, and she retired as a college professor. But there were some hard times. It’s not easy for a woman who’s only trying to do the best for her kid but who could never be home. Jonathan Banks
I probably carry a fair amount of sarcasm in my daily life. Jonathan Banks
Never equate yourself with whatever success may be and how fleeting that is. The only thing you can do every day is become a better actor. That’s the only thing I have control over. Jonathan Banks
Forty-five years since I made my first paycheck, and I’m telling you that ‘Breaking Bad’ is as good as it gets. Jonathan Banks
I’ve got eighteen-year-old twins that need to go to college, so there’s still a financial issue, but I could retire tomorrow and just count ducks by the side of the lake, and that would be just fine by me. I’m not a high-energy guy. Jonathan Banks
I love ‘Boardwalk Empire,’ but there were moments where I thought it didn’t have the constant through-line that ‘Breaking Bad’ did and ‘Better Call Saul’ does. Jonathan Banks
People tell you who they are. There are big neon signs going off. ‘Pay attention! This is who I am.’ And most of us put out hands a little bit over our eyes. We don’t see that. Jonathan Banks
Boy I could do this forever; I truly enjoy bad guys. Jonathan Banks
From the time I could visually perceive film or TV, I was just enthralled by it. I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world. Jonathan Banks
It really bothers me that Stephen Cannell has died. I had lunch with him about eight months before he died, and… I really liked him. I really did. Jonathan Banks
We’ve all been the brunt of jokes at times. Jonathan Banks
