Jon Bernthal | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bernthal atGalaxyCon Raleigh in 2024 | |
| Born | Jonathan Edward Bernthal (1976-09-20)September 20, 1976 (age 49) |
| Education | Skidmore College Harvard University (GrDip) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives |
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Jonathan Edward Bernthal (/ˈbɜːrnθɔːl/; born September 20, 1976) is an American actor. He came to prominence for portrayingShane Walsh on theAMC horror drama seriesThe Walking Dead (2010–2012; 2018), where he was a starring cast member in the first two seasons. Bernthal achieved further recognition asFrank Castle / The Punisher in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in thesecond season ofDaredevil (2016), thespin-off seriesThe Punisher (2017–2019), and therevival seriesDaredevil: Born Again (2025). For his recurring guest role as restaurant ownerMichael Berzatto in the seriesThe Bear (2022–present), he won aPrimetime Emmy Award and was nominated for two others.
His film roles includeSnitch (2013),The Wolf of Wall Street (2013),Fury (2014),Sicario (2015),The Accountant (2016),Baby Driver (2017),Wind River (2017),Widows (2018),Ford v Ferrari (2019),King Richard (2021),The Many Saints of Newark (2021),Origin (2023),The Accountant 2 (2025), andThe Amateur (2025).
Jonathan Edward Bernthal[1] was born inWashington, D.C. on September 20, 1976, to aJewish family.[2][3] He is a son of Joan Lurie (née Marx) and Eric Lawrence "Rick" Bernthal, a former lawyer withLatham & Watkins LLP and chair of the board of directors forThe Humane Society of the United States until 2019.[1][4] His paternal grandfather was musician and producerMurray Bernthal.[5] He has two brothers: Nicholas, an orthopedic surgeon and professor atUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), andThomas, a consulting agency CEO who is married to former Facebook COOSheryl Sandberg.[6][7][8][9] The three are cousins of rock musicianAdam Schlesinger, who died in 2020.[10]
Bernthal grew up inCabin John, Maryland. He attended theSidwell Friends School, graduating in 1995.[11] He has often described his younger self as a "troublemaker."[12] After high school, he studied atSkidmore College inSaratoga Springs, New York, but dropped out. On the advice of his acting teacher, Alma Becker, he joined theMoscow Art Theatre School in Russia.[13][14] During his time there, he was a catcher for a Russian professional baseball team.[12][15]
Bernthal was discovered while at the Moscow Art Theatre by the executive director ofHarvard University'sInstitute for Advanced Theater Training at theAmerican Repertory Theater inCambridge, Massachusetts; he studied there as a graduate-level certificate student and completed his studies in 2002.[16] After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater.[17] He is amethod actor.[18] Since 2002, Bernthal has performed in over thirty plays regionally andoff-Broadway, including many with his own theater company, the now defunct Fovea Floods.[19] He also had small guest roles in multiple television series, such asBoston Legal,CSI: Miami andHow I Met Your Mother (S01E02).[citation needed] He was cast in the 2004 movie ofTony 'n' Tina's Wedding. Bernthal relocated to Los Angeles in 2006.[20] He booked his first regular role on a television series with theCBS sitcomThe Class; the show was canceled after one season.[21] He had roles in films, such asDay Zero andWorld Trade Center.[citation needed]
In 2009, Bernthal was a series regular on theABC television seriesEastwick, and starred alongside actressJaime Ray Newman (his future co-star inThe Punisher).Eastwick was canceled after one season. In 2010, Bernthal portrayed Sgt. Manuel Rodriguez on theHBO miniseriesThe Pacific.[citation needed] Bernthal found critical success portrayingShane Walsh inFrank Darabont'sThe Walking Dead, based on the comic book series of thesame name. He was a regular on the show until 2012 and was nominated for the Breakout Performance – Male Award at the2011 Scream Awards.[22] Bernthal reunited with Darabont for theTNT seriesMob City, in which he playedLAPD Detective Joe Teague, a police officer working in a corrupt 1940s Los Angeles, which was cancelled after one season.[23]
During this period, Bernthal had supporting roles in the 2009 fantasy filmNight at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian as mobsterAl Capone andRoman Polanski's thriller filmThe Ghost Writer. He also appeared in the 2011Woody Harrelson featureRampart. He guest starred in episodes of television shows such asNumbers andHarry's Law.[24] In 2011, Bernthal performed in the premiere of the dark comedy playSmall Engine Repair. The play was critically acclaimed; critics praised Bernthal's performance for his "energy and wit" and he was nominated for an Ovation Award.[25][26] After its world premiere runSmall Engine Repair was transferredOff-Broadway byMCC Theater with Bernthal signing on to reprise his role. However, filming commitments made Bernthal withdraw from the play and he was replaced byJames Badge Dale.[27]
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In 2013, Bernthal had supporting roles in thecrimedrama filmSnitch, and the sports comedy filmGrudge Match.[28] Bernthal played Brad in theMartin Scorsese filmThe Wolf of Wall Street.[29] He played southerner Grady "Coon-Ass" Travis in the 2014World War II filmFury, with critics praising the cast of the film.[30] In 2014, Bernthal took part in filming the movieViena and the Fantomes, oppositeDakota Fanning andEvan Rachel Wood; the film was only released in 2020.[31][32] Bernthal next appeared inDenis Villeneuve's 2015 action drama filmSicario, which won numerous awards and received positive reviews from critics.[33][34][35] 2015 also saw Bernthal in supporting roles inMe and Earl and the Dying Girl, winner of the US Grand Jury Prize for drama at the2015 Sundance Film Festival, andWe Are Your Friends.[citation needed] During this time, Bernthal portrayed NAACP attorney Michael H. Sussman in theHBO miniseriesShow Me a Hero. He also, alongside actorViggo Mortensen, executive produced the playThe Time of Our Lies – The Life and Times ofHoward Zinn, directed by frequent theater collaborator Josh Chambers.The Time of Our Lies was performed through the month of August 2014 at theEdinburgh Fringe Festival.[36]
In June 2015,Marvel announced that Bernthal would playFrank Castle / The Punisher inseason two ofNetflix's superhero seriesDaredevil, which was released on March 18, 2016.[37] Although he initially hesitated to join a superhero franchise, Bernthal decided to take the role after admiring the performances of actorsCharlie Cox (Matt Murdock / Daredevil) andVincent D'Onofrio (Wilson Fisk / Kingpin) in theprevious season ofDaredevil. Critics commended Bernthal's performance as the Punisher, withIGN calling it "an absolutely stellar, gutting performance."[38] Comic book writer and the Punisher's co-creatorGerry Conway called Bernthal's performance a favorite on-screen portrayal of the character and said, "Jon Bernthal gives The Punisher the kind of pathos that's underneath the tough guy and I really like that."[39]
Despite not initially being ordered by Netflix, the network spun-off the character's self-titled seriesThe Punisher, released on November 17, 2017. His portrayal of the title character inseason one was commended as a "truly remarkable and intense performance" for its emotional depth and "possibly the best grizzly antihero performance among all of Marvel's Netflix series to date."[40][41] Bernthal likes to perform his own stunts on the show.[42] On December 12, 2017, it was announced that the show had been renewed forseason two by Netflix, which was released on January 18, 2019.[43] A month after the season aired, the show was canceled.[44] In March 2023, it was confirmed that Bernthal would reprise his role asFrank Castle / The Punisher inDaredevil: Born Again, which is in production forDisney+ and premiered on March 4, 2025.[45]
In 2016, Bernthal co-starred withBen Affleck in the action-thrillerThe Accountant as Brax. That same year, he was interviewed for the documentaryCan't Be Stopped about anAmerican graffiti crew of the same name.[46] In 2017, he co-starred inTaylor Sheridan's directorial debut filmWind River, which premiered at the2017 Sundance Film Festival. He also appeared in significant roles inEdgar Wright'sBaby Driver as Griff and prison dramaShot Caller. In the Irish action thriller filmPilgrimage,[47] Bernthal played The Mute. Due to the actor's preference to stay in character on film sets, he chose not to speak to the cast or crew for the first few weeks of production.[48] Bernthal was praised for his acting, withThe Hollywood Reporter remarking that Bernthal "steals the film with his intense, nearly wordless performance... with his buff physicality and commanding presence filling the screen."[49]
On November 17, 2017, the initial season ofThe Punisher and the filmSweet Virginia were both released. ForSweet Virginia, Bernthal played a gentle motel-owner withParkinson's disease and critics praised his performance.[50][51][52] During the press tours at this time Bernthal's interview onJim Norton and Sam Roberts made news due to his description ofKevin Spacey (who had faced recent sexual assault charges) making him uncomfortable on the set ofBaby Driver.[53][54] Bernthal stated that he "lost all respect" for Spacey and that Spacey "was a bit of a bully."[55] In the same month, Bernthal was offered a role in the 2018 biopic filmFirst Man, but declined it due to his daughter's illness.[56] In 2018, he appeared inSteve McQueen's heist thrillerWidows, and reprised his role inThe Walking Dead for theseason 9 episode "What Comes After."[57][58]
Bernthal played the brother of a fisherman (Shia LaBeouf) in the independent filmThe Peanut Butter Falcon. He played businessmagnateLee Iacocca in a supporting role forJames Mangold's action biographical dramaFord v Ferrari. Production began in the summer of 2018 and the film was released in November 2019.[59] In summer 2019, Bernthal filmedThose Who Wish Me Dead, an action/thriller film directed by Taylor Sheridan. It was released in May 2021.[citation needed] In early 2019, Bernthal reprised his role in thefilm version ofSmall Engine Repair, a play in which he originated the role of Terrance Swaino in 2011. The film was released in September 2021.[60] In January 2019, Bernthal joined the cast ofThe Many Saints of Newark, the prequel feature film of HBO'sThe Sopranos,[61] which was released in October 2021.[62] In the Netflix filmThe Unforgivable, Bernthal played the love interest of a murderous woman (Sandra Bullock).[citation needed]
Bernthal has also done work in the PC and console gaming world as a voice actor, and his appearance has been used for non-playable characters (NPCs). He appears in bothTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands andTom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint as LT Cole D. Walker.[63]
Bernthal starred asBaltimore Police Department Sergeant Wayne Jenkins in the HBO miniseriesWe Own This City.[citation needed] He also played the title character of the eight episode seriesAmerican Gigolo as Johnny and his gigolo alter ego "Julian"[citation needed]. He also starred in the American espionage thrillerThe Amateur (2025).[citation needed]
He playedMikey Berzatto in theHulu hit seriesThe Bear (2022–present).[citation needed] He won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Berzatto in the season two episode,"Fishes". He also received nominations for his performances in seasons one and three.[citation needed]
On February 18, 2022,Real Ones with Jon Bernthal debuted, a podcast series developed by Bernthal that "gives the microphone to some of the most interesting, authentic people living on the front lines of the big issues of our time. From cops to gang members, soldiers and doctors, activists and first responders, you're going to hear from people who aren't pushing any agenda other than honest, open dialogue. What transpires is informative, funny, and at times heartbreaking – delivered by people you'll feel an immediate connection to."[64]
It was announced in October 2018 that Bernthal has a role in the dark comedy movieSnow Ponies, notably an entry on the 2006Black List;[65] since the original casting announcement, the film has remained in development. Cast in October 2016, Bernthal will also star in the filmStingray oppositeJoel Edgerton which has also remained in development.[66]
He is set to star inChristopher Nolan'sThe Odyssey, an upcoming adaptation of theOdyssey.[67][68] After his reprisal of the Punisher role onDaredevil: Born Again in 2025, Bernthal is co-writing and scheduled to star in aMarvel Studios Special Presentation for Disney+centered onThe Punisher set to be released in 2026.[69] In June 2025, it was confirmed that Bernthal would also star as The Punisher in the filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).[70]
He is also scheduled to make hisBroadway debut in the spring of 2026 oppositeEbon Moss-Bachrach inStephen Adly Guirgis’sstage adaptation ofDog Day Afternoon.[71]
Bernthal and his brother Nicholas run the nonprofit organization Drops Fill Buckets, described as an "impact-driven, entrepreneurial approach to making a difference."[72][73]
Bernthal is also an advocate ofpit bull ownership and is a spokesperson for the Animal Farm Foundation, which rescues and promotes the equal treatment of pit bulls.[11][74] He has three pit bulls of his own who often accompany him to set; two of them, Boss and Venice, made appearances in his 2012 filmRampart.[42][75]
Bernthal married Erin Angle on September 25, 2010, inPotomac,Maryland. They have three children together.[76] The family lives inOjai, California.[20][14] Angle is the niece of WWE Hall of FamerKurt Angle and his brother, amateur and professional wrestlerEric Angle.[20][21]
Bernthal is a fan of theWashington Commanders.[77][78][79]
| Year | Association | Category | Project | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Scream Awards | Breakout Performance – Male | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
| Ovation Award | Best Acting Ensemble in a Play | Small Engine Repair | Won | ||
| Ovation Award | Best Lead Actor in a Play | Nominated | [26] | ||
| 2012 | Garland Award | Outstanding Acting Ensemble | Won | ||
| 2013 | Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Ensemble Cast | The Wolf of Wall Street | Nominated | |
| Central Ohio Film Critics Association | Best Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| Detroit Film Critics Society | Best Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Ensemble | Nominated | |||
| Gold Derby Award | Best Ensemble Cast | Nominated | |||
| Seattle Film Critics Award | Best Ensemble Cast | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | National Board of Review | Best Cast | Fury | Won | |
| 2018 | Saturn Award | Best Actor on Television | The Punisher | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Saturn Award | Best Actor in Streaming Presentation | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Detroit Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actor | King Richard | Won | |
| 2022 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | [80] | |
| 2023 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | The Bear | Nominated | [81] |
| The Astra Awards | Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | [82] | |
| The Astra Awards | Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | |||
| 2025 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [83] | |
| The Astra Awards | Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
Today's Birthdays: ... Actor Jon Bernthal is 33.
