Biography

Ștefan Bănică Jr. is a Romanian entertainer, of roma people origin from his father's side, TV presenter, one of the most important Romanian TV personalities, and the son of actor Ștefan Bănică Sr. In his early career he starred in a couple of successful romantic films ("Liceenii", "Liceenii Rock'n'Roll"). He is well known in Romania for presenting the Romanian version of “Dancing with the Stars”, the most long-lived dance competition ever aired in Romania, broadcast on Pro TV and for his role as a talent judge on The X Factor. Later he concentrated on television acting, playing the character of Ciupanezu in the TV series "Băieți buni"("Good Guys"), which was aired in 2005 on ProTV. In 2005, Bănică also played the role of Billy Flynn in the Romanian stage version of the Chicago musical (based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins) at the National Theatre in Bucharest. He released several music albums (marketed as rock'n'roll), and successfully toured the country. In January 2006, he married television producer and show host Andreea Marin. In January 2013, they announced their divorce on amicable terms. Together they have a daughter.