Elizabeth Banks is one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars—actor, director, producer, and all-around powerhouse. But behind the scenes, her most cherished role is as a wife and mom. While she’s known for her wit and charm on-screen, her off-screen life with husband Max Handelman and their two sons is where the real magic happens.
So, let’s pull back the curtain and get to know the people who matter most to Elizabeth Banks—her longtime partner and their two miracle boys.
The Love Story: How Elizabeth and Max Became Hollywood’s Low-Key Power Couple
Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman on the long road to ‘Pitch Perfect’ success: http://t.co/mZ1oJfLFoc pic.twitter.com/8151no0P1n
— Speakeasy (@WSJspeakeasy) May 22, 2015
College Sweethearts Turned Lifelong Partners
Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman didn’t meet on a movie set or at a glitzy Hollywood party. Nope—their love story began in the most relatable way possible: on her first day of college.
It was 1993 at the University of Pennsylvania, where Banks (then Elizabeth Mitchell) was a freshman. Max, a fellow student, spotted her and was immediately smitten. The two hit it off, bonding over shared interests—though Banks later joked that she “had no idea what he was talking about half the time” (he was deep into sports stats, and she was more into theater).
You Might Like: Nancy Mace’s Ex-fiancé: Who Is Patrick Bryant From Charleston, South Carolina?
Despite their different worlds—she was an aspiring actress, he was a sports-obsessed political communications major—they stuck together. Ten years of dating later, they tied the knot on July 5, 2003, in a low-key ceremony.
A True Partnership—In Love and Business
While many Hollywood marriages fizzle out, Banks and her husband Handelman have only grown stronger. They’ve been together for over 30 years (married for 20), and Banks has called their relationship her “proudest achievement.”
But it’s not just romance—they’re also business partners. Together, they run Brownstone Productions, the company behind hits like Pitch Perfect and C*caine Bear. Max, who originally worked in sports media and even co-wrote a book on fantasy football, pivoted to producing, making them a true power duo.
Banks has said their secret is mutual respect and a shared sense of humor. She once quipped that marriage is “about finding someone who can tolerate your nonsense,” and clearly, Max fits the bill.
The Kids: Felix and Magnus, Their ‘Miracle’ Boys
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there but especially to parenting enthusiast @maxhandelman #FathersDay2019 pic.twitter.com/uAIlwbzk4R
— Elizabeth Banks ❄️ (@ElizabethBanks) June 16, 2019
Elizabeth has always been open about her struggles with infertility, revealing that she has “a broken belly” (a term she uses to describe her inability to carry a pregnancy). After years of trying, she and Max turned to gestational surrogacy, welcoming two sons who she calls her “greatest blessings.”
Also See: George Wendt’s Family: Meet His Wife Bernadette and Their 3 Children
Felix Handelman – The ‘Happy’ Miracle
-
Born: March 2011
-
Age: 14 (as of May 2025)
-
Name Meaning: “Happy” and “lucky” in Latin—a nod to how grateful they felt after his birth.
Felix was their first child, and Banks has described his arrival as “life-changing.” Though she keeps his life private (rarely showing his face on social media), she’s shared sweet anecdotes over the years.
For example, Felix made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in C*caine Bear (2023) as an extra—because what’s cooler than being in your mom’s movie at 12? He’s also into soccer, and Banks has joked that she’s “a soccer mom in disguise.”
Magnus Handelman – The ‘Great’ Little Brother
-
Born: November 2012
-
Age: 12 (as of May 2025)
-
Name Meaning: “Great” in Latin—another tribute to their joy at expanding their family.
Magnus is the more “chill” of the two, according to Banks. She once revealed that he loves facials (yes, the skincare kind) so much that she worked them into his bedtime routine. “He’s fancier than I am,” she laughed in an interview.
Like his brother, Magnus stays out of the spotlight, but Banks occasionally shares funny parenting moments—like the time he asked her if she “knew any Avengers” after she directed Charlie’s Angels. (Spoiler: She does.)
Parenting Philosophy: Keeping It Real (and Private)
Elizabeth and Max are fiercely protective of their kids’ privacy. Unlike some celebrity parents who document every milestone, they rarely post their sons’ faces online.
Why Surrogacy Was the Right Choice
Banks has been vocal about her surrogacy journey, calling it “the most empowering decision” she ever made. She stays in touch with the women who carried her children, emphasizing that surrogacy is “a beautiful collaboration.”
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Parenting two boys isn’t always glamorous, and Banks admits she’s had to let go of her “control freak” tendencies. She credits her husband Max with balancing her out, saying he’s “the fun dad” who keeps things light when she gets too intense.
One of their rules? No phones at the dinner table. Instead, they play “highs and lows”—where each family member shares the best and worst part of their day.
Also Read: What Was George Wendt’s Net Worth at the Time of His Death?
Final Thoughts: A Family Built on Love, Laughter, and a Little Chaos
Elizabeth Banks may be a Hollywood A-lister, but at home, she’s just “Mom”—a role she takes as seriously as any blockbuster. With Max by her side and Felix and Magnus keeping life unpredictable, she’s built a family that’s as down-to-earth as it is extraordinary.
And if there’s one lesson to take from their story? True love isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about showing up, every day, for the people who matter most.
