Banner was born on June 4, 1936, in
Van Nuys, California. At seven years old, he was diagnosed with
polio which required the use of a wheelchair and later crutches. He excelled in gymnastics and later attended
Los Angeles Valley College where he competed for their gymnastics team from 1954 to 1955 under coach Al Arps. He later enrolled at the
University of California, Los Angeles to pursue gymnastics. ==Gymnastics career==