Despite a successful Hollywood career, Eric Bana has never made the permanent move to the United States.
And on Thursday, he was seen enjoying a day out at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach with family and friends.
The Australian actor, 52, was all smiles as he blended in with the crowds in a black cap and sunglasses.
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Happy days: Eric Bana cut a casual figure on Thursday while enjoying a day out at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach with family during the Christmas break
Eric resides in Melbourne, but had recently flown to Sydney to premiere his new film, The Dry, last Tuesday.
Appearing relaxed ahead of the Christmas break, Eric wore a pair of black shorts and an orange T-shirt.
He was joined by his wife Rebecca Gleeson, 49, daughter Sophia, 18, another woman and a small child.
Just a short trip? Eric resides in Melbourne, but had recently flown to Sydney to premiere his new film, The Dry, last Tuesday
He’s still got it! The actor, who was once The Hulk in the early 2000s, showed off his muscles by carrying around a little girl in his arms and on his back
The actor, who was once The Hulk in the early 2000s, showed off his muscles by carrying around the little girl in his arms and on his back.
Looking excited, the youngster was beaming as she gripped onto Eric’s broad shoulders for a piggyback ride around the coastal area.
Eric’s daughter Sophia, who supported her famous father at his film’s recent red carpet premiere, was dressed casually in light grey sweatpants and a dark T-shirt.
Casual chic: Eric’s daughter Sophia, who supported her famous father at his film’s recent red carpet premiere, was dressed casually in light grey sweatpants and a dark T-shirt
It’s unclear if Eric has chosen to stay in New South Wales for the Christmas break, but he was certainly welcoming the local weather and relaxed restrictions last week.
However, since his outing four days ago a number of new coronavirus cases have been reported in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Luckily for the actor and his family, Balmoral has not been named as a COVID-19 hot spot, despite nearby locations being flagged.
Lucky: Balmoral has not been named as a COVID-19 hot spot, despite nearby locations being flagged by the New South Wales government
Blending in: Eric likely went unnoticed by fans in his low-key look, cap and sunglasses
Having starred alongside the likes of Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman, Eric explained to The Sun-Herald in 2018 why he’s never moved to Los Angeles.
‘Moving’s just never come up as a sensible option,’ he said, adding he rarely shoots films or TV shows consistently in California and would just travel to a shoot location than move across the world permanerly.
Meanwhile, his wife told the Herald Sun in June that the pair are ‘happier in Australia,’ living an ordinary life in the quiet suburbs of Melbourne with their two adult children.
Rebecca explained travelling around the world with her husband for his work was an isolating experience for her and their children Klaus and Sophia, now 20 and 18 respectively.
‘Moving’s just never come up as a sensible option’: Despite a successful Hollywood career, Eric has never felt the need or desire to relocate his family to the United States
Eric is in Sydney to promote his first lead role in an Australian film in 13 years.
His last Australian film was the 2007 adaptation of Raimond Gaita’s book, Romulus, My Father, another collaboration with director Robert Connolly.
With the local industry thriving amid the coronavirus pandemic, the actor felt The Dry was ‘really special’ to be part of.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the premiere, Eric said he was excited to bring the best-selling novel by Jane Harper to life without leaving the country.
The Dry was filmed across more than 20 regional towns in rural Victoria last year.
‘Being able to film in regional Victoria was really, really special and not having to sit on a plane for 20 hours, and that sort of thing, it did feel fantastic,’ he said.
The Dry hits theatres on January 1, 2021
Out soon: The Dry hits theatres on January 1, 2021