Felix Handelman: Elizabeth Banks’ Son — Family & Facts

Felix Handelman is the younger son of actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks and producer Max Handelman. Born in 2012 through gestational surrogacy, he’s grown up largely outside the public eye — a deliberate choice by his parents, who’ve gone to considerable lengths to shield both their sons from media scrutiny.

While Felix doesn’t have a public career of his own (he’s still a teenager), interest in his family runs high. His mother is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, and his father has built a successful career in both sports media and film production. Here’s what we know about Felix and the family he was born into.

Early Life and Birth via Surrogacy

Felix Handelman was born in 2012 in the United States. He arrived via gestational surrogacy — the same path his parents took with his older brother, Magnus Mitchell Handelman, who was born in 2011.

Elizabeth Banks has been open about why she and Max chose surrogacy. In multiple interviews over the years, she’s discussed her struggles with fertility, including failed treatments and miscarriages. After years of trying to conceive naturally and through medical intervention, the couple turned to surrogacy.

Banks has spoken candidly about the stigma she initially faced for that decision. She’s pushed back against criticism, explaining that surrogacy was a medical necessity — not a lifestyle choice. Her openness has made her one of the more prominent celebrity advocates for normalizing non-traditional paths to parenthood.

Both Felix and Magnus are being raised in a household that blends their mother’s background with their father’s Jewish heritage. Banks has spoken about practicing Judaism and studying with rabbis, though she hasn’t completed a formal conversion.

Famous Mom: Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks — born Elizabeth Irene Mitchell on February 10, 1974, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts — is Felix’s mother and one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers.

She grew up as the eldest of four children. Her father, a Vietnam War veteran, worked at a General Electric factory. Banks graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1992 and went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in communications (magna cum laude) with a minor in theatre arts in 1996.

After college, she pursued acting in New York. She was offered a role on the soap opera Santa Barbara early on but turned it down because she’d taken out student loans and wanted to finish her education first. Her actual screen debut came in the 1998 indie film Surrender Dorothy.

The name change from Mitchell to Banks happened after she joined the Screen Actors Guild and discovered another actress was already registered as Elizabeth Mitchell.

Career Highlights

Banks has built an impressive resume across film and television:

• Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) — Played Betty Brant opposite Tobey Maguire
• Scrubs (2004–2006) — Recurring role as Dr. Kim Briggs; earned a Primetime Emmy nomination
• 30 Rock (2007–2013) — Played Avery Jessup, Jack Donaghy’s wife
• The Hunger Games franchise (2012–2015) — Portrayed Effie Trinket across all four films
• Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) — Made her feature directorial debut; the film grossed over $287 million worldwide
• Modern Family (2010) — Guest appearance that earned her another Emmy nomination
• The Lego Movie (2014) — Voiced Wyldstyle
• Cocaine Bear (2023) — Directed the action-comedy based on a true story

Beyond acting, Banks co-founded Brownstone Productions with her husband Max. The company has produced the entire Pitch Perfect franchise, among other projects. She’s evolved from actress to director to full-fledged producer — a career arc that few in Hollywood have managed as successfully.

Father: Max Handelman

Felix’s father, Max Handelman, was born in 1973 and raised in Portland, Oregon, in a Jewish family. He’s a producer, entrepreneur, and former sportswriter who’s carved out his own identity separate from his wife’s fame.

Handelman co-wrote the book Why Fantasy Football Matters with Erik Barmack — a deep dive into fantasy sports culture that was published in 2006. His background in sports media eventually gave way to a career in film production.

Together with Elizabeth, he co-founded Brownstone Productions. The company’s biggest hit has been the Pitch Perfect series, but they’ve worked on several other projects as well. Max serves as a producer on most Brownstone titles, making the couple one of Hollywood’s genuine creative partnerships — not just a celebrity marriage, but a working business team.

His Parents’ Relationship

Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s story goes back over three decades. They met on September 6, 1992 — Elizabeth’s very first day at the University of Pennsylvania. They began dating and stayed together through college, her early acting career, and the years of uncertainty that come with breaking into Hollywood.

They got married in 2003, more than a decade after they first met. The relationship has lasted through career changes, fertility struggles, and the pressures of public life.

Their partnership extends well beyond marriage. Brownstone Productions, which they co-founded, has become a real force in entertainment. They develop, produce, and direct projects together — a dynamic that few couples in the industry manage to sustain. As of 2026, they’ve been together for over 33 years.

Family Life and Privacy

Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman are intentional about keeping Felix and Magnus out of the spotlight. While Banks is active on social media — she has millions of followers on Instagram — she rarely posts photos that show her children’s faces. When she does share family moments, the boys’ faces are typically obscured or turned away from the camera.

This isn’t accidental. Banks has spoken publicly about wanting her sons to have normal childhoods, free from the pressures of celebrity. She’s pushed back when paparazzi have published unauthorized photos of the boys.

Felix is currently a teenager, presumably attending school and living a relatively normal life given the circumstances. There’s no indication he’s pursuing acting, social media, or any public career at this stage — and his parents seem to prefer it that way.

Elizabeth once mentioned in an interview that she and Felix have a deal: when he turns 15, they’ll go skydiving together. It’s a small detail, but it says something about the kind of relationship they have — adventurous but grounded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Felix Handelman?

Felix Handelman is the younger son of actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks and producer Max Handelman. He was born in 2012 through gestational surrogacy and has an older brother named Magnus Mitchell Handelman.

How old is Felix Handelman?

As of 2026, Felix Handelman is approximately 13–14 years old. His exact birth date hasn’t been publicly confirmed by his parents.

Who is Felix Handelman’s mother?

His mother is Elizabeth Banks, an American actress, director, and producer known for The Hunger Games franchise, Pitch Perfect 2, 30 Rock, Scrubs, and Cocaine Bear. She was born Elizabeth Irene Mitchell on February 10, 1974, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Does Felix Handelman have siblings?

Yes. Felix has one older brother, Magnus Mitchell Handelman, who was born in 2011 — also via gestational surrogacy. Both boys are being raised by Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman.

Is Felix Handelman on social media?

No. Felix doesn’t have any known public social media accounts. His parents have been protective of both their sons’ privacy, and Elizabeth Banks typically avoids showing their faces in her own social media posts.