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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Elizabeth Banks
(FEBRUARY 10) In addition to playing key roles in the Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect series, Banks works behind the camera, with directorial credits including the 2019 iteration of Charlie’s Angels and the 2023 horror-comedy Cocaine Bear.
SLIDING INTO ACTING: After suffering a broken leg playing softball, she found another activity—a school play.
LIFE AT HOME: Banks has two sons with writer Max Handelman. They work together too: The married team founded Brownstone Productions.
FUN AND GAMES: Friend Jesse Tyler Ferguson says Banks loves to host game night parties. On TV, she hosts the ABC game show Press Your Luck.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: “Lorne Michaels gave me advice: ‘Don’t do things unless you think they’ll be part of the cultural conversation,’ ” Banks told The New York Times in 2022. “I’m getting older, and I want to stay relevant and be in the conversation.” —Whitney Matheson
More Milestone Birthdays
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Mahershala Ali
february 16
The two-time Oscar winner will star as Blade in the Marvel superhero reboot.
50
Jenna Fischer
march 7
The Office actor cohosts the Office Ladies podcast with castmate Angela Kinsey.
60
Wanda Sykes
march 7
The Emmy-winning writer and comedian embarks on a major U.S. comedy tour in March.
60
Rob Lowe
march 17
The 9-1-1: Lone Star actor has worked with son John Owen Lowe on several projects.
70
Christie Brinkley
february 2
Entrepreneur and model is a longtime vegetarian and animal rights advocate.
70
John Travolta
february 18
An aviation enthusiast, the actor became licensed to pilot a 737 in 2022.
70
Ron Howard
MARCH 1
Cocoon filmmaker has directed his first animated feature, planned for Netflix.
80
Diana Ross
MARCH 26
In 2023, became the first woman to win the Grammys’ Lifetime Achievement Award twice.
90
Gloria Steinem
March 25
The feminist icon made an appearance on Max series And Just Like That ... last year.
Illustration by Sean McCabe. Elizabeth Banks primary photo: Image Press Agency/Alamy. Collage reference: Clockwise from top: Ali Goldstein/NBC/Everett Collection; Frederick Brown/Getty Images; Ekaterina Minaeva/Alamy; Murray Close/Lionsgate/Everett Collection; James Devaney/Getty Images; Saeed Adyani/Netflix/Everett Collection; Universal/Everett Collection. Ali: Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Fischer: Katie Jones/Getty Images; Sykes: Tommaso Body/Getty Images; Lowe: Robyn Beck/Getty Images; Brinkley: FOX via Getty Images; Travolta: Michael Tran/Stringer/Getty Images; Howard: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Ross: Joseph Okpako/WireImage; Steinem: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Ms. Foundation for Women.
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