'I was so burnt out by it': Eric Bana reveals why he avoided comedic roles when he moved to Hollywood... admitting he also 'didn't have a point to prove'

By Sharnaz Shahid For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 22:45 EST, 22 April 2016 | Updated: 03:06 EST, 23 April 2016

Although in Australia he’s best known for his role in popular nineties sketch comedy Full Frontal, away from his homeland, Eric Bana is famed for being a serious Hollywood actor.

And as he prepares for the debut of his latest venture, Special Correspondents, the 47-year-old star discussed why he moved away from comedic roles as he forged his career on the big-screen.

‘[Early in his career] I was so burnt out by it [comedy], then when I started working in America nothing but dramatic stuff was coming my way,’ he told Spectrum magazine.

Scroll down for video 

'I was so burnt out by it': Eric Bana has revealed why he moved away from comedic roles as he forged his career in Hollywood

'I was so burnt out by it': Eric Bana has revealed why he moved away from comedic roles as he forged his career in Hollywood

The Melbourne native - who plays alongside Ricky Gervais and America Ferrera in the upcoming Netflix film - admitted he intentionally avoided seeking funny scripts.

‘I didn’t feel like I had a point to prove,’ he added. ‘I just felt like if something came along that suited me I would do it, so Funny People was the first one.’

The father-of-two - who is married to TV publicist Rebecca Gleeson - is well known internationally for starring in Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy and Lone Survivor.

Funnyman: In Australia, the 47-year-old’s best known for his role in popular nineties sketch comedy Full Frontal (pictured here)

Funnyman: In Australia, the 47-year-old’s best known for his role in popular nineties sketch comedy Full Frontal (pictured here)

‘I didn’t feel like I had a point to prove': The Melbourne native admitted he intentionally avoided seeking funny scripts when he first moved to LA

‘I didn’t feel like I had a point to prove': The Melbourne native admitted he intentionally avoided seeking funny scripts when he first moved to LA

Meanwhile, Special Correspondents - which British funnyman Ricky wrote, directed and stars in - is due for release on the streaming service later this month.

Speaking about how he was approached for his role, Eric revealed he was surprised that Gervais ‘even knew who I was’.

‘I got a call saying Ricky wants to talk to you about this project and I was slightly in shock,’ he explained.

Latest venture: Special Correspondents - which British funnyman Ricky Gervais (left) wrote, directed and stars in - is due for release on the streaming service later this month

Latest venture: Special Correspondents - which British funnyman Ricky Gervais (left) wrote, directed and stars in - is due for release on the streaming service later this month

Flattered: Speaking about how he was approached for his role, Eric revealed he was surprised that Gervais ‘even knew who I was’

Flattered: Speaking about how he was approached for his role, Eric revealed he was surprised that Gervais ‘even knew who I was’

In the highly-anticipated satirical comedy, Eric plays a struggling radio journalist who files fake war reports from New York.

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, called the film 'the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore.'

Ricky, in a statement, called Sarandos 'the new Godfather of entertainment' and said 'he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.'

Back to his roots: The father-of-two, who is best known for roles in Black Hawk Down and Troy, will return to his comedic roots for only the second time since moving to Hollywood, starring in the Netflix film with Ricky

Back to his roots: The father-of-two, who is best known for roles in Black Hawk Down and Troy, will return to his comedic roots for only the second time since moving to Hollywood, starring in the Netflix film with Ricky

Comments (31)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now