Michael Chernus
American actor (born 1977)
Michael Chernus
Born (1977-08-08 ) August 8, 1977 (age 47) Education Juilliard School (BFA ) Occupation Actor Years active 2005–present Children 1[ 2]
Michael Louis Chernus (born August 8, 1977)[ 3] is an American actor who has acted on film, television, and the stage. He is best known for his role as Cal Chapman on the Netflix original comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), and had roles in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and the Apple TV+ series Severance (2022–present). Chernus starred in the 2023 thriller miniseries Dead Ringers , which won a Peabody Award .[ 4]
Life and career
Chernus was born in Rocky River, Ohio . He is a graduate of the Juilliard School's Drama Division .[ 5] An accomplished stage actor, Michael won a 2011 Obie Award [ 6] and received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination[ 7] for his performance in Lisa Kron 's In the Wake at The Public Theater in New York City . On stage, he co-starred with David Hyde Pierce in the Manhattan Theater Club production of Close Up Space at New York City Center .[ 8] Other New York credits include such theaters as Playwrights Horizons , the Roundabout Theatre Company , Primary Stages , New York Theatre Workshop , The Atlantic Theater Company, and many productions at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater , where he played the lead role of KJ in Annie Baker's play, The Aliens , which Charles Isherwood, of The New York Times , named the best play of 2010.[ 9]
His most recent role was Second Stage Theatre 's production of Lips Together, Teeth Apart , co-starring America Ferrera .[ 10] Chernus has acted in films such as Men in Black 3 , Captain Phillips , The Bourne Legacy , and Jack and Diane . His most notable role to date is Cal Chapman, protagonist Piper Chapman 's brother, in the Netflix original comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black .[ 11] Chernus starred as Tom in the Peabody Award winning miniseries Dead Ringers , which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2023.[ 12]
He was cast as John Wayne Gacy in the upcoming Peacock series John Wayne Gacy . The series will debut in 2025.[ 13]
Filmography
Film
Television
Stage
Year
Play
Role
Theatre
Notes
2003
Jump/Cut
Dave
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company , Regional
2004
Romeo and Juliet
Benvolio [ 15]
Guthrie Theater , Regional
Finer Noble Gases
Lynch[ 16]
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater , Off-Broadway
2004–2005
A Number
Bernard/Bernard/Michael
New York Theatre Workshop , Off-Broadway
Understudy
2005
Create Fate
Nathan
Williamstown Theatre Festival , Regional
2005–2006
Mr. Marmalade
George/Cactus/Bob
Laura Pels Theatre , Off-Broadway
2006
The Mistakes Madeline Made
Wilson
Yale Repertory Theatre , Regional
2007
Essential Self-Defense
Isaak Glinka
Playwrights Horizons , Off-Broadway
American Sligo
Kyle[ 17]
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Off-Broadway
Rag and Bone
George[ 18]
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Off-Broadway
2008
Hunting and Gathering
Astor
59E59 Theaters , Off-Broadway
2010
The Aliens
KJ
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Off-Broadway
In the Wake
Danny
The Public Theater , Off-Broadway
2011
Touch(ed)
Billy
Williamstown Theatre Festival, Regional
2011–2012
Close Up Space
Steve
Manhattan Theatre Club , Off-Broadway
2014
Lips Together, Teeth Apart
Sam Truman
Second Stage Theater , Off-Broadway
Awards and nominations
References
^ "Michael Chernus, Actor/Curator for SPACE's Film Initiative/Farm Cat Enthusiast" . SPACE on Ryder Farm .
^ "Instagram" .
^ "Personal Details for Michael L Chernus, "United States Public Records, 1970-2009" " . FamilySearch. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/dead-ringers/
^ Jackson, Susan. "Spotlight on Danielle Brooks | The Juilliard School" . Juilliard. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ "Obie Awards Ceremony" . NY Theatre Wire. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ "26th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards Recipients Announced" (PDF) . Lortel Awards. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ Isherwood, Charles (December 20, 2011). "Close Up Space with David Hyde-Pierce Review" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ Isherwood, Charles (April 22, 2010). "Theater Reviews : Aliens" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ "America Ferrera and Michael Chernus Star in Lips Together, Teeth Apart , Beginning Tonight" . Playbill . October 7, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ Longeretta, Emily (June 20, 2024). "Michael Chernus to Portray John Wayne Gacy in Peacock's Limited Series 'Devil in Disguise' " . Variety . Retrieved June 21, 2024 .
^ https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/dead-ringers/
^ Longeretta, Emily (June 20, 2024). "Michael Chernus to Portray John Wayne Gacy in Peacock's Limited Series 'Devil in Disguise' " . Variety . Retrieved June 21, 2024 .
^ Tabbara, Mona (February 9, 2024). "Bankside unveils first look at Mala Emde in 'The Girl From Köln', plus suite of sales (exclusive)" . ScreenDaily . Retrieved December 20, 2024 .
^ Gans, Andrew (January 31, 2004). "Complete Cast Announced for Guthrie's Romeo and Juliet; McSweeny to Direct" . Playbill .
^ Hernandez, Ernio (October 12, 2004). "Adam Rapp's Finer Noble Gases Linger Longer as Off-Broadway Show Extends" . Playbill .
^ James, Caryn (September 26, 2007). "Odd Crew Gathers Round at the Twilight of a Wrestler" . The New York Times .
^ "Rag and Bone | TheaterMania" . www.theatermania.com .
External links
International National People