Jon Bernthal Bio
Jonathan Edward Bernthal (born September 20, 1976) is an American actor known for his roles in various television series and films, notably Shane Walsh in AMC’s The Walking Dead and Frank Castle in Marvel’s The Punisher. He has earned recognition for his performances and has been nominated for awards, including a Primetime Emmy. His career in acting commenced in 2002, and he continues to be active in the industry, showcasing his talent in diverse roles.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Edward Bernthal was born in Washington, D.C. on September 20, 1976, into a Catholic family. He is the son of Joan Lurie and Eric Lawrence “Rick” Bernthal, a former lawyer and chair of the board of directors for The Humane Society of the United States. Bernthal grew up in Cabin John, Maryland, and attended Sidwell Friends School, graduating in 1995. He has often described his younger self as a “troublemaker.” After high school, he studied at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, but dropped out. Following the advice of his acting teacher, he joined the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia, where he also played baseball.
Path to Hollywood
While at the Moscow Art Theatre, Bernthal was discovered by the executive director of Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theater Training. He completed his studies there in 2002 and moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. Since then, he has performed in over thirty plays regionally and off-Broadway. His early career included small guest roles in television series such as Boston Legal, CSI: Miami, and How I Met Your Mother. In 2006, he relocated to Los Angeles and booked his first regular role on the CBS sitcom The Class, which was canceled after one season.
Jon Bernthal Career
Early Career (2002–2008)
Bernthal’s early career saw him performing in various plays and taking on small roles in television and film. He was cast in the 2004 movie Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding and had roles in films such as Day Zero and World Trade Center. His breakthrough came in 2009 when he became a series regular on the ABC television series Eastwick. In 2010, he portrayed Sgt. Manuel Rodriguez on the HBO miniseries The Pacific, which helped him gain recognition.
Breakthrough (2009–2015)
Bernthal achieved critical success portraying Shane Walsh in Frank Darabont’s The Walking Dead, which premiered in 2010. He was a regular on the show until 2012 and was nominated for the Breakout Performance – Male Award at the 2011 Scream Awards. During this period, he also had supporting roles in films such as The Wolf of Wall Street and Fury. In 2015, he was cast as Frank Castle / The Punisher in Netflix’s Daredevil, which led to a spin-off series that premiered in 2017.
Notable Works and Milestones
Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle was widely praised, establishing him as a leading actor in the superhero genre. He continued to receive acclaim for his performances, including his role in the HBO miniseries We Own This City.
Jon Bernthal Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jon Bernthal has received several nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in The Bear.
Jon Bernthal Awards Won
Jon Bernthal won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in The Bear in 2023.
Jon Bernthal Family
Jon Bernthal married Erin Angle on September 25, 2010, in Potomac, Maryland. They have three children together and reside in Ojai, California. Erin Angle is the niece of WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle.
Personal Life
Jon Bernthal is a fan of the Washington Commanders. He is also an advocate for pit bull ownership and is a spokesperson for the Animal Farm Foundation, which rescues and promotes the equal treatment of pit bulls. Bernthal has three pit bulls of his own who often accompany him to set.
