John Magaro has spent his career nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses film, television, and theatre. He is well-known for his role as Charlie Geller in Paramount’s THE BIG SHORT, which was awarded Best Ensemble by the National Board of Review in 2015 and received the Ensemble Performance Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Magaro also received a nomination for a 2020 Gotham Award from his stunning performance in Kelly Reichardt’s FIRST COW, which was named one of the 10 Best Films of 2020 by the National Board of Review. Magaro co-starred in the Golden Globe-nominated film, SEPTEMBER 5, alongside Peter Sarsgaard, and can also be seen as jazz musician Keith Jarrett in KÖLN 75. He also appeared in Celine Song’s 2023 directorial debut PAST LIVES. The film received critical acclaim and went on to receive five nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards and nominations at the 96th Academy Awards for “Best Picture” and “Best Original Screenplay.” Additional film credits include THE MASTERMIND, SHOWING UP, LAROY, TEXAS, THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, and THE BRIDE!, THE FINEST HOURS, CAROL, UNBROKEN, SYLVIE’S LOVE, and NOT FADE AWAY, for which he received a “Hollywood Spotlight Award” from the Hollywood Film Awards.
No stranger to the small screen, Magaro appeared opposite Elliot Page in the hit Netflix series THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, based on the comic book series of the same name by Gerard Way. More recently, he can be seen in THE AGENCY. The series premiered on Paramount+ on November 29, 2024, and was renewed for a second season coming out this year. Magaro was also in the Amazon series, JACK RYAN, alongside John Krasinski, and starred as the young male lead in Amazon’s CRISIS IN SIX SCENES opposite Rachel Brosnahan, Miley Cyrus, and Elaine May. Other television credits include recurring roles on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, THE GOOD WIFE, TAKING CHANCE opposite Kevin Bacon, and guest star appearances on LAW & ORDER: SVU, PERSON OF INTEREST, BODY OF PROOF, LAW & ORDER and CONVICTION.
Upcoming, Magaro will take the lead in Cole Webley’s American drama OMAHA. The film follows a father (Magaro) as he takes his two children on a road trip across the country after their home is foreclosed. The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, made its theatrical debut in New York on April 24, 2026, and releases wide on Friday, May 1st. Magaro’s heart wrenching performance has already garnered critical acclaim, with critics labeling it a “his peak to date.”
Credits:
- Materialists
- The Big Short
- Past Lives
- The Bride!
- Carol
- First Cow
- Unbroken
- Not Fade Away
- Presumed Innocent
- Orange is the New Black
- The Agency
- The Mastermind
- Omaha
- September 5
Guest Links:
- IMDB: John Magaro, Actor, Producer, Director
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