John Magaro
Birth nameJohn Robert Magaro
Birth dateFebruary 16, 1983 (age 43)
Birth placeAkron, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
SpouseJanice Hong

John Robert Magaro (born February 16, 1983) is an American actor. He has appeared in the films Not Fade Away (2012), The Big Short (2015), Carol (2015), Overlord (2018), First Cow (2019), Showing Up (2022), The Mistress (2022), and Past Lives (2023), and in the series Orange Is the New Black (2015–2019), The Umbrella Academy (2019), and Crisis in Six Scenes (2016). He made his Broadway debut as the escaped convict Earl Williams in the revival of The Front Page in 2016.

Early life

Magaro was born February 16, 1983, in Akron, Ohio, the son of Wendy and James Magaro,[1] and grew up in nearby Munroe Falls. His father is of Italian descent and his mother is Jewish; his parents were teachers. While attending school within the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District, Magaro began acting in local theater, including shows at the Cleveland Play House and the Kent State Porthouse Theatre at Blossom Music Center, and Weathervane Playhouse in Akron. As a youth, Magaro also appeared in television commercials, and had a role in a Rescue 911 episode.[2][3][4][5]

Career

After graduating from Stow-Munroe Falls High School in 2001, Magaro went on to study theater at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Among his acting highlights are The Big Short, Past Lives and Carol (2015). His early film work included The Brave One, the HBO film Taking Chance and a lead role in the horror film My Soul to Take.[2][6][7] Magaro also appeared in eleven episodes of Orange Is the New Black, spanning seasons 3-7. In 2008, Magaro starred in the popular Walmart x Coke holiday commercial, which played in movie theaters across the country. One of Magaro's earliest appearances was as an extra in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film Munich;[8] he revisited the events of the 1972 Summer Olympics in 2024's September 5.

Magaro was the lead in the 2012 film Not Fade Away, which earned him the HFF Spotlight award.[9][10] In 2019, he portrayed the lead role of "Cookie" in Kelly Reichardt’s critically acclaimed film First Cow, for which he was nominated for a 2020 Gotham Award as Best Actor.[11]

Personal life

Magaro is married to fashion designer Janice Hong, who gave birth to their first child in 2020.[12][failed verification] Magaro also struggles with an anxiety disorder.[12]

Filmography

Key
†Denotes titles that have not yet been released

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005MunichPedestrianUncredited extra[13]
2007The Brave OneEthan
The Life Before Her EyesMichael Patrick
2008Assassination of a High School PresidentCipriato
We Pedal UphillKyle
2009The BoxCharles
2010My Soul to TakeAlex
2011Down the ShoreMartin
2012Liberal ArtsDean
Not Fade AwayDouglas Damiano
2013Deep PowderCota
2014UnbrokenFrank A. Tinker
2015Don't Worry BabyRobert Lang
CarolDannie McElroy
The Big ShortCharlie Geller
2016The Finest HoursErvin Maske
2017War MachineColonel Cory Staggart
MarshallIrwin Friedman
2018OverlordPrivate First Class Lyle Tibbet
2019First CowOtis "Cookie" Figowitz
2020Sylvie's LoveSid Schuur
2021The Birthday CakeCousin Joey
18½Paul
LanskyYoung Meyer Lansky
The Many Saints of NewarkSilvio Dante
2022Call JaneDetective Chilmark
Showing UpSean Carr
The MistressParker
2023Past LivesArthur Zaturansky
Big George ForemanDesmond
LaRoy, TexasRayAlso producer
Day of the FightPatrick
Under the BoardwalkManny (voice)
2024Psycho TherapyKeane
September 5Geoffrey Mason
2025OmahaDad
Köln 75Keith Jarrett
The MastermindFred
MaterialistsMark P.
2026The Bride!Clyde

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006ConvictionJiggyEpisode: "Denial"
2007Law & OrderNathan GershEpisode: "Talking Points"
2009Taking ChanceRich BrewerTV movie
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitAndrew HinghamEpisode: "Conned"
2011Body of ProofChuck FosterEpisode: "Buried Secrets"
2012Person of InterestCarl Elias (Age 22)Episode: "Flesh and Blood"
2013The Greatest Event in Television HistoryPaulEpisode: "Hart to Hart"
2015Law & Order: Special Victims UnitKeith MusioEpisode: "Institutional Fail"
2015–2016The Good WifeRoland Hlavin3 episodes
2015–2019Orange Is the New BlackVince Muccio11 episodes
2016Angie TribecaSnickEpisode: "The Coast Is Fear"
Crisis in Six ScenesAlan Brockman5 episodes
2018Jack RyanVictor PolizziRecurring; 3 episodes
2019The Umbrella AcademyLeonard Peabody / Harold JenkinsMain role
2022Super PumpedJohn ZimmerEpisode: "War"
2024–presentThe AgencyOwen LublinMain role

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenue
2016The Front PageEarl WilliamsBroadhurst Theatre, Broadway debut

Video games

YearTitleVoice role
2006BullySheldon
2008Bully: Scholarship Edition

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryProjectResultRef.
2012Hollywood Film AwardsSpotlight AwardNot Fade Away
2015Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Cast in a Motion PictureThe Big Short
2019Florida Film Critics CircleBest ActorFirst Cow
Gotham Independent Film AwardBest Actor
2023Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorPast Lives
2025San Diego International Film FestivalVirtuoso AwardLife's work[14]
Montclair Film FestivalSpecial Jury PrizeOmaha[15]

References

  1. ^ Lokting, Britta (February 26, 2016). "'Big Short' Actor John Magaro is Hiding in Plain Sight". The Forward. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  2. ^ Heldenfels, Rich (October 8, 2010). "Slasher film star chases after dream: Stow grad John Magaro carves out acting career, stars in Wes Craven flick". Akron Beacon Journal. Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
  3. ^ Sell, Jill (June 10, 1994). "'Oliver' proves quick study". The Plain Dealer. The Plain Dealer Publishing Co. p. 38 - Friday.
  4. ^ "'Lillian Yuralia' at La MaMa Theater". Jewish-Theatre.com. All About Jewish Theatre. November 2008. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2010. *"Mazel Tov!!". Hashomer. 66 (4): 9. Congregation Etz Chayim. December 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011.
  5. ^ Musarra, Russ (January 18, 1998). "Acting is kid stuff: talented young thespians are taking center stage at area community theaters". Akron Beacon Journal. Beacon Journal Publishing Co. p. D1 - Entertainment.
  6. ^ "Stow-Munroe Falls High School 2005 Alumni Directory", Chesapeake, Virginia: B.C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc., 2005, pp. 302–360
  7. ^ "Review: My Soul to Take (2010)". DreadCentral.com. Dread Central Media, LLC. October 8, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  8. ^ Davis, Clayton (2024-10-29). "John Magaro on How Being an Extra in Steven Spielberg's 'Munich' Helped Him Prepare for 'September 5': 'It's About the Responsibility of Journalists'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  9. ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (August 27, 2019). "30 Minutes on 'Not Fade Away'". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Feinberg, Scott (2012-10-17). "Hollywood Film Awards to Honor Rising Stars from 'Flight,' 'Les Mis,' 'Not Fade Away,' More (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  11. ^ "Nominations Announced for 30th IFP Gotham Awards". Independent Filmmaker Project. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  12. ^ Canfield, David (2023-05-31). "John Magaro Refuses to Play the Hollywood Schmuck". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  13. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (November 10, 2024). "John Magaro On How He Prepared To Tell The Olympics Story That Horrified The World In ‘September 5’". Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  14. ^ Horst, Carole (2025-09-26). "Mark Hamill Tapped for Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence at the San Diego Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  15. ^ Gilmore, Georgette (2025-10-27). "And the Awards Go To! Montclair Film Festival Announces 2025 Winners". Montclair Local. Retrieved 2025-11-07.