Chris Messina
Christopher Messina (born August 11, 1974)[1] is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. He is best known for starring as Danny Castellano in the Fox/Hulu romantic comedy series The Mindy Project (2012–2017), which earned him two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
Chris Messina | |
|---|---|
Messina in 2014 | |
| Born | Christopher Messina August 11, 1974 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer Todd |
| Children | 2 |
He has appeared in films such as Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), Julie & Julia (2009), Devil (2010), Argo (2012), Ruby Sparks (2012), Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012), Cake (2014), Birds of Prey (2020), and I Care a Lot (2020). Messina wrote, executive produced, and starred in the comedy film Fairhaven (2012). He also directed and starred in the drama film Alex of Venice (2014).
On television, Messina appeared in such roles as Ted Fairwell in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under (2005), Chris Sanchez in the Audience Network legal thriller series Damages (2011–2012), Reese Lansing in the HBO political drama series The Newsroom (2012–2014), Richard Willis in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects (2018), as Nick Haas in the USA Network crime drama series The Sinner (2020) and as Angelo Lano in the Starz political miniseries Gaslit (2022).
Early life and education
Messina was raised in Northport, New York, on Long Island, where he studied theater in high school.[1] He attended Marymount Manhattan College, but dropped out after one semester.[2]
Career
He studied acting privately with teachers around Manhattan, and started his career as an off-Broadway actor. He has appeared in episodes of the television series Law & Order, Third Watch, and Medium. He had a recurring role in the fifth and final season of the HBO drama series Six Feet Under as Ted Fairwell. His film credits include Rounders, The Siege, You've Got Mail, and Towelhead.[citation needed]
He starred in an HBO pilot Anatomy of Hope, directed by J. J. Abrams. Simon Callow also starred, but the pilot was not picked up to series. In October 2007, Daily Variety named him as one of ten actors to watch.[3] He starred in Devil, under the direction of John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, for producer M. Night Shyamalan and Universal Pictures.[4] In April 2010, Monogamy, directed by Dana Adam Shapiro and starring Messina and Rashida Jones, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where the film won the jury prize for Best New York Narrative.[5]
Messina joined the cast of Damages for its fourth and fifth seasons.[6] He played a recurring character on HBO's The Newsroom.[7] Messina was a series regular on the Fox/Hulu sitcom The Mindy Project, playing Dr. Danny Castellano, until his character was eventually phased out in seasons 4 & 5. He makes his return in three episodes, including the season and series finale, in season 6.
In 2014, Messina played the role of a cheating spouse in the music video for Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One". That same year, he directed the independent drama, Alex of Venice, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Don Johnson and Matthew Del Negro. He co-starred in Ben Affleck's crime drama Live by Night, which was released in December 2016. In 2018, Messina starred in a leading role alongside Amy Adams in the HBO series Sharp Objects.
In 2020, Chris Messina starred as mob killer Victor Zsasz in Birds of Prey. When asked how he felt about playing a twisted character, Messina replied, "I've played too many nice guys in my career. So it was like just really a lot of fun to let loose."[8]
In 2021, Messina portrayed attorney Dean Ericson in the black comedy thriller I Care a Lot.[9]
Personal life
Messina and his wife Jennifer Todd have two sons, Milo and Giovanni, born in 2008 and 2009, respectively.[10][11][12][13] He was previously married to actress Rosemarie DeWitt for 12 years, divorcing in 2006.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | When Dating Turns Dangerous | Zach | Educational film |
| 1998 | Rounders | Higgins | |
| 1998 | The Siege | Corporal | |
| 1998 | You've Got Mail | Fox Salesperson | |
| 2000 | Turn It Up | Baz | |
| 2001 | Ordinary Sinner | Silvio | |
| 2005 | Road | Larry | |
| 2005 | Bittersweet Place | Seymour | |
| 2005 | The Crooked Corner | Nephew | |
| 2006 | Ira & Abby | Ira Black | |
| 2007 | Security | Zelly | Short film |
| 2007 | Towelhead | Barry | |
| 2008 | Humboldt County | Max | |
| 2008 | Made of Honor | Dennis | |
| 2008 | Vicky Cristina Barcelona | Doug | |
| 2009 | Brief Interviews with Hideous Men | Subject #19 | |
| 2009 | Away We Go | Tom Garnett | |
| 2009 | Julie & Julia | Eric Powell | |
| 2010 | Greenberg | Philip Greenberg | |
| 2010 | Monogamy | Theo | |
| 2010 | Devil | Detective Bowden | |
| 2010 | An Invisible Sign | Ben Smith | |
| 2011 | Like Crazy | Mike Appletree | |
| 2011 | The Trouble with Bliss | NJ | |
| 2012 | Celeste and Jesse Forever | Paul | |
| 2012 | 28 Hotel Rooms | Man | Also executive producer |
| 2012 | The Giant Mechanical Man | Tim | |
| 2012 | Fairhaven | Dave | Also writer and executive producer |
| 2012 | Denise | Brad | Short film |
| 2012 | Ruby Sparks | Harry Weir-Fields | |
| 2012 | Argo | Malinov | |
| 2013 | Palo Alto | Mitch | |
| 2014 | The Oven | Narrator | Short film |
| 2014 | Showing Up | Himself | Documentary |
| 2014 | Alex of Venice | George | Also director |
| 2014 | Manglehorn | Jacob | |
| 2014 | Cake | Jason | |
| 2015 | Digging for Fire | Billy T | |
| 2016 | Ordinary World | Jake | |
| 2016 | Live by Night | Dion Bartolo | |
| 2016 | The Sweet Life | Kenny | |
| 2017 | Blame | Jeremy Woods | |
| 2019 | The True Adventures of Wolfboy | Denny | |
| 2020 | Birds of Prey | Victor Zsasz | |
| 2020 | She Dies Tomorrow | Jason | |
| 2020 | Love Is Love Is Love | Jack | |
| 2020 | I Care A Lot | Dean Ericson | |
| 2020 | The Secrets We Keep | Lewis Reid | |
| 2022 | Call Jane | Will | |
| 2022 | The Aviary | Seth | |
| 2022 | Dreamin' Wild | Matt Sullivan | |
| 2023 | The Boogeyman | TBA | Post-production |
| TBA | I.S.S. | Gordon Barrett | Post-production |
| TBA | Air Jordan | David Falk | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Law & Order | Tommy Bell | Episode: "Rebels" |
| 1996 | Law & Order | Kevin Turner | Episode: "Homesick" |
| 2000 | Third Watch | Charlie | Episode: "History" |
| 2001 | Big Apple | Ricky | Episode: "A Ministering Angel" |
| 2003 | Law & Order | Don Cushman | Episode: "Suicide Box" |
| 2005 | Six Feet Under | Ted Fairwell | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | Medium | Casey Edward Frank | Episode: "The Whole Truth" |
| 2011–2012 | Damages | Chris Sanchez | 16 episodes |
| 2012–2014 | The Newsroom | Reese Lansing | 12 episodes |
| 2012–2017 | The Mindy Project | Dr. Daniel Castellano | Main role (season 1–4) Recurring (season 5–6): 89 episodes |
| 2018 | Sharp Objects | Detective Richard Willis | Main role: 8 episodes |
| 2019 | Robot Chicken | Various voices | Episode: "Boogie Bardstown in: No Need, I Have Coupons" |
| 2020 | The Sinner | Nick Haas | Main role (season 3): 5 episodes |
| 2022 | Gaslit | Agent Angelo Lano | Recurring role: 3 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Run | Theater and production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The American Clock | Sidney Margolies/ Charley/ Ralph/ Walter | October 19, 1997 – unknown | Signature Theatre Company at The Peter Norton Space | [14][15][16][17] |
| 1999 | The Group | Director | August 9–20, 1999 | All Seasons Theatre Group at The Ensemble Studio Theatre | [18] |
| 1999 | Refuge | Nat | November 18 – December 12, 1999 | Playwright's Horizon Studio Theater | [19] |
| 2000 | The Hologram Theory | Joe Buck | March 27 – April 9, 2000 | McGinn/Cazale Theater | [20][21][22] |
| 2000 | The Light Outside | Frankie | November 5 – December 16, 2000 | The Flea Theater | [23][24] |
| 2001 | Tamicanfly | C.J. | January 17 – February 4, 2001 | McGinn/Cazale Theater | [25] |
| 2001 | Blur | Joey D'Amico | May 17 – June 24, 2001 | Manhattan Theater Club at New York City Center Stage II | [26][27] |
| 2001–02 | Good Thing | Bobby | December 16, 2001 – January 6, 2002 | at The Theater at St. Clements Church | [28][29][30] |
| 2002 | This Thing of Darkness | Abbey/ Reef | May 30 – June 16, 2002 | Atlantic Theater Company at Linda Gross Theater | [31] |
| 2002 | Faster | Skram | September 8 – October 13, 2002 | Rattlestick Theater | [32][33] |
| 2002–03 | Far Away | Todd | November 11, 2002 – January 18, 2003 | New York Theatre Workshop | [34] |
| 2003 | Salome by Oscar Wilde: The Reading | The Young Syrian (Captain of the Guard) | April 30 – June 12, 2003 | Ethel Barrymore Theater | Broadway debut for Messina[35][36] |
| 2003 | St. Scarlet | Director | June 13 – July 12, 2003 | Ontological Theater at St. Mark's Church | [37][38] |
| 2004 | Motel Blues: Management | Mike | March 25 – April 11, 2004 | Apartment 929 at Greenwich Street Theatre October 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine | [39][40] |
| 2004 | The Seagull | Treplev | May 24–29, 2004 | at Second Stage Theatre | [41] |
| 2004 | The Cherry Orchard | Trofimov | August 11–22, 2004 | Williamstown Theatre Festival at Adams Memorial Theater | [42][43][44] |
| 2004 | Late Night, Early Morning | October 21–31, 2004 | 2004 Tribeca Theatre Festival | [45] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | CinEuphoria Award | Best Supporting Actor - International Competition | Away We Go | Won |
| 2012 | Awards Circuit Community Award | Best Cast Ensemble | Argo | Nominated |
| Detroit Film Critics Society Award | Best Ensemble | Nominated | ||
| San Diego Film Critics Society Award | Best Ensemble Performance | Nominated | ||
| Phoenix Film Critics Society Award | Best Ensemble Acting | Nominated | ||
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award | Best Ensemble[46] | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award | Best Ensemble | Nominated | |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | Best Ensemble | Won | ||
| Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Won | ||
| 2014 | Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | The Mindy Project | Nominated |
| Seattle International Film Festival | New American Cinema Award | Alex of Venice | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | The Mindy Project | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b Hochberg, Mina. "Chris Messina stars in 'Ruby Sparks'”. Newsday (Long Island, New York). August 8, 2012: “...the actor, who turns 38 Saturday [August 11, 2012]. After graduating from Northport [New York] High School, he enrolled in Marymount Manhattan College on a theater scholarship. Seized by doubts about acting, he dropped out….
- ^ Chang, Kee (January 23, 2012). "Sundance '12: Q&A with Chris Messina". Anthem. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ Champagne, Christine (October 19, 2007). "10 Actors To Watch: Chris Messina : 'Six Feet Under' Actor Emerges With Full Slate". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ^ Messina goes to the DEVIL for Shyamalan and the Dowdles October 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Duboff, Josh (April 29, 2010). "When We Leave Scores Top Honors At Tribeca Film Festival". Vulture. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
- ^ "Chris Messina Joins Damages". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Chris Messina on Starring in What Seems Like Everything". Vulture. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ "Margot Robbie, Chris Messina Talk 'Birds of Prey'". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
- ^ Menta, Anna (February 22, 2021). "I Care A Lot: Chris Messina Is Having a Blast Playing Bad Guys". Decider. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Christopher Rosen (August 3, 2012). "Chris Messina, 'Celeste And Jesse Forever' Star, On His Crazy Year". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Caitlyn Callegari (September 9, 2014). "Who Is Jennifer Todd? 'Mindy Project' Star Chris Messina Has a Highly Successful Partner". bustle.com. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "Meet the 2014 Tribeca Filmmakers #33: Chris Messina on How He Completed 'Alex of Venice' While Shooting 'The Mindy Project'". April 15, 2014.
- ^ "Chris Messina Loves Women".
- ^ . Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ "The American Clock". The Commonwealth Foundation. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Sommer, Elyse. "A CurtainUp Review: The American Clock". CurtainUp.com. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Daniels, Robert L. (October 25, 1997). "Legit Reviews: The American Clock". Variety.
- ^ McGrath, Sean. "All Seasons Group at NYC's E.S.T., Aug. 9-20". The Group. Playbill. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Goldberg, Jessica (2000). Refuge. Dramatists Play Service Inc. p. 3. ISBN 9780822217770.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (March 28, 2000). "Theater Review: Those Credible Aliens, Not Quite Adult and Well Beyond Reason". The Hologram Theory. New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ "PHOTO CALL: Colors Come Out At Hologram Theory Opening March 27". Hologram Theory. Playbill. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Finkle, David. "Review: The Hologram Theory". Theatermania.com.
- ^ Bacalzo, Dan. "Review: The Light Outside". Theatermania.com.
- ^ "The Light Outside: Ticket information". Theatermania.com.
- ^ VanGelder, Lawrence (January 20, 2001). "THEATER REVIEW; Got the Horse Right Here, Its Name Is Tamicanfly". New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ . Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (May 18, 2001). "Theater Review: Through the Eyes of the Beholder". Blur. New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ . Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (December 18, 2001). "Theater Review: A Competition in Squalor From Adjoining Kitchens". Good Thing. New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Finkle, David. "Review: Good Thing". Theatermania.com.
- ^ . Archived from the original on August 25, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ . Archived from the original on January 19, 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (September 12, 2002). "Legit Reviews: Faster". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ . Archived from the original on September 1, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ "IBDB listing for "Salome"".
- ^ . Playbill. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ . OffOffOff.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2004.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (June 30, 2003). "Theater Review: Siblings at Odds, A Stranger Uninvited". St. Scarlet. New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ "Motel Blues: Show information". Theatermania.com.
- ^ "CurtainUp Review of "Motel Blues"". CurtainUp.com.
- ^ Isaac, Dan. "Review: The Seagull". Backstage.com.
- ^ Brantley, Ben (August 17, 2004). "THEATER REVIEW; Conflicting Impulses Of Chekhov's Last Play". The Cherry Orchard. New York Times.
- ^ Rizzo, Frank (August 17, 2004). "Legit Reviews: The Cherry Orchard". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
- ^ . wtfestival.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013.
- ^ Willis, John; Ben Hodges (March 2007). Theatre World, Vol 61, 2004-2005. p. 231. ISBN 9781557837035.
- ^ "Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards list (2012)". Retrieved February 12, 2013.
External links
- Chris Messina at IMDb
- Chris Messina at the Internet Broadway Database
- Chris Messina at the Internet Off-Broadway Database