Jonathan Edward Bernthal (; born September 20, 1976) is an American actor. He came to prominence for portraying
Shane Walsh on the
AMC horror drama series ''
The Walking Dead'' (2010–2012; 2018), where he was a starring cast member in the first two seasons. Bernthal achieved further recognition as
Frank Castle / The Punisher in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...
, appearing in the
second season of ''
Daredevil'' (2016), the
spin-off series ''
The Punisher'' (2017–2019), and the
revival series ''
Daredevil: Born Again'' (2025–present). For his recurring guest role as restaurant owner and drug addict Michael Berzatto in the series ''
The Bear'' (2022–present), he won a
Primetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...
.
His film roles include ''
Snitch'' (2013), ''
The Wolf of Wall Street'' (2013), ''
Fury'' (2014), ''
Sicario'' (2015), ''
The Accountant'' (2016), ''
Baby Driver'' (2017), ''
Wind River'' (2017), ''
Widows
A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has Death, died and has usually not remarried. The male form, "widower", is first attested in the 14th century, by the 19th century supplanting "widow" with reference to men. The adjecti ...
'' (2018), ''
Ford v Ferrari'' (2019), ''
King Richard'', ''
The Many Saints of Newark'' (both 2021), ''
Origin'' (2023), and
The Accountant 2 (2025).
Early life and education
Jonathan Edward Bernthal
was born in
Washington, D.C. on September 20, 1976, to a
Jewish
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
family. He is the son of Joan Lurie (née Marx) and Eric Lawrence "Rick" Bernthal, a former lawyer with
Latham & Watkins LLP and chair of the board of directors for
The Humane Society of the United States until 2019.
His paternal grandfather was musician and producer
Murray Bernthal (1911–2010).
He has two brothers: Nicholas, an orthopedic surgeon and professor at
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...
, and
Thomas, a consulting agency CEO who is married to former Facebook COO
Sheryl Sandberg.
His cousin was rock musician
Adam Schlesinger
Adam Lyons Schlesinger (October 31, 1967 – April 1, 2020) was an American musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer. He was a founding member of the bands Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows, and was also a member of the ban ...
(1967–2020).
Bernthal grew up in
Cabin John, Maryland. He attended the
Sidwell Friends School, graduating in 1995.
He has often described his younger self as a "troublemaker."
After high school, he studied at
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a Private school, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Saratoga Springs, New York. Approximately 2,700 students are enrolled at Skidmore pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Scien ...
in
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a Administrative divisions of New York#City, city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the United States Census 2020, 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the ...
, but dropped out. On the advice of his acting teacher, Alma Becker, he joined the
Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia.
During his time there, he was a catcher for a Russian professional baseball team.
Career
2002–2008: Early career
Bernthal was discovered while at the Moscow Art Theatre by the executive director of
Harvard University
Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
's
Institute for Advanced Theater Training at the
American Repertory Theater in
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge ( ) is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is a suburb in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, located directly across the Charles River from Boston. The city's population as of the 2020 United States census, ...
; he studied there as a graduate-level certificate student and completed his studies in 2002. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. He is a
method actor
''Method Actor'' is an eponymous album of the band Method Actor released in 1988 featuring American singer Eva Cassidy. It was unofficially re-released on CD in 2002.
Track listing
# "Getting Out" (David Christopher) – 4:19
# "Look in to My ...
. Since 2002, Bernthal has performed in over thirty plays regionally and
Off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
, including many with his own theater company, the now defunct Fovea Floods. He also had small guest roles in multiple television series, such as ''
Boston Legal'', ''
CSI: Miami'' and ''
How I Met Your Mother
''How I Met Your Mother'' (often abbreviated as ''HIMYM'') is an American sitcom created by Craig Thomas (screenwriter), Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS. The series, which aired from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014, follows main char ...
'' (S01E02). He was cast in the 2004 movie of
Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding. Bernthal relocated to Los Angeles in 2006.
He booked his first regular role on a television series with the
CBS sitcom ''
The Class''; the show was canceled after one season.
He had roles in films, such as ''
Day Zero'' and ''
World Trade Center''.
2009–2015: Breakthrough with ''The Walking Dead''

In 2009, Bernthal was a series regular on the
ABC television series ''
Eastwick'', and starred alongside actress
Jaime Ray Newman (his future co-star in ''The Punisher''). ''Eastwick'' was canceled after one season. In 2010, Bernthal portrayed Sgt. Manuel Rodriguez on the
HBO
Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...
miniseries ''
The Pacific''. Bernthal found critical success portraying
Shane Walsh in
Frank Darabont's ''
The Walking Dead'', based on the comic book series of the
same name. He was a regular on the show until 2012 and was nominated for the Breakout Performance – Male Award at the
2011 Scream Awards. Bernthal reunited with Darabont for the
TNT series ''
Mob City'', in which he played
LAPD Detective Joe Teague, a police officer working in a corrupt 1940s Los Angeles, which was cancelled after one season.
During this period, Bernthal had supporting roles in the 2009 fantasy film ''
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'' as mobster
Al Capone and
Roman Polanski
Raymond Roman Thierry Polański (; born 18 August 1933) is a Polish and French filmmaker and actor. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Roman Polanski, numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, three Britis ...
's thriller film ''
The Ghost Writer''. He also appeared in the 2011
Woody Harrelson feature ''
Rampart
Rampart may refer to:
* Rampart (fortification), a defensive wall or bank around a castle, fort or settlement
Rampart may also refer to:
* LAPD Rampart Division, a division of the Los Angeles Police Department
** Rampart scandal, a blanket ter ...
''. He guest starred in episodes of television shows such as ''
Numbers
A number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label. The most basic examples are the natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth. Numbers can be represented in language with number words. More universally, individual numbers can ...
'' and ''
Harry's Law''. In 2011, Bernthal performed in the premiere of the dark comedy play ''
Small Engine Repair''. The play was critically acclaimed; critics praised Bernthal's performance for his "energy and wit" and he was nominated for an Ovation Award.
After its world premiere run ''Small Engine Repair'' was transferred
Off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
by
MCC Theater with Bernthal signing on to reprise his role. However, filming commitments made Bernthal withdraw from the play and he was replaced by
James Badge Dale.
In 2013, Bernthal had supporting roles in the
crime
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definiti ...
drama
Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...
film ''
Snitch'', and the sports comedy film ''
Grudge Match.'' Bernthal played Brad in the
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November17, 1942) is an American filmmaker. One of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Martin Scorsese, many accolades, including an Academ ...
film ''
The Wolf of Wall Street''. He played southerner Grady "Coon-Ass" Travis in the 2014
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
film ''
Fury'', with critics praising the cast of the film.
In 2014, Bernthal took part in filming the movie ''
Viena and the Fantomes,'' opposite
Dakota Fanning and
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood (born September 7, 1987) is an American actress. She is the recipient of a Critics' Choice Television Award as well as nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
She began acting in the 1990s, a ...
; the film was only released in 2020. Bernthal next appeared in
Denis Villeneuve's 2015 action drama film ''
Sicario'', which won numerous awards and received positive reviews from critics. 2015 also saw Bernthal in supporting roles in ''
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl'', winner of the US Grand Jury Prize for drama at the
2015 Sundance Film Festival, and ''
We Are Your Friends''. During this time, Bernthal portrayed NAACP attorney Michael H. Sussman in the
HBO
Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...
miniseries ''
Show Me a Hero.'' He also, alongside actor
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Peter Mortensen Jr. (; born October 20, 1958) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received nominations for three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards.
Mortensen made his film debut with a small role in ...
, executive produced the play ''The Time of Our Lies – The Life and Times of
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922January 27, 2010) was an American historian and a veteran of World War II. He was chair of the history and social sciences department at Spelman College, and a political science professor at Boston University. Zinn ...
'', directed by frequent theater collaborator Josh Chambers. ''The Time of Our Lies'' was performed through the month of August 2014 at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (also referred to as the Edinburgh Fringe, the Fringe or the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is the world's largest performance arts festival, which in 2024 spanned 25 days, sold more than 2.6 million tickets and featur ...
.
2015–2021: Stardom as ''The Punisher''

In June 2015,
Marvel
Marvel may refer to:
Business
* Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company
** Marvel Comics, the primary imprint of Marvel Entertainment
** Marvel Universe, a fictional shared universe
** Marvel Music, an imprint of Marvel Comics ...
announced that Bernthal would play
Frank Castle / The Punisher in
season two of
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
's superhero series ''
Daredevil'', which was released on March 18, 2016. Although he initially hesitated to join a superhero franchise, Bernthal decided to take the role after admiring the performances of actors
Charlie Cox (
Matt Murdock / Daredevil) and
Vincent D'Onofrio (
Wilson Fisk / Kingpin) in the
previous season of ''Daredevil''. Critics commended Bernthal's performance as the Punisher, with ''
IGN
''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
'' calling it "an absolutely stellar, gutting performance." Comic book writer and the Punisher's co-creator
Gerry Conway called Bernthal's performance a favorite on-screen portrayal of the character and said, "Jon Bernthal gives The Punisher the kind of pathos that's underneath the tough guy and I really like that."
Despite not initially being ordered by Netflix, the network spun-off the character's self-titled series ''
The Punisher'', released on November 17, 2017. His portrayal of the title character in
season one was commended as a "truly remarkable and intense performance" for its emotional depth and "possibly the best grizzly antihero performance among all of Marvel's Netflix series to date." Bernthal likes to perform his own stunts on the show.
On December 12, 2017, it was announced that the show had been renewed for
season two by Netflix, which was released on January 18, 2019. A month after the season aired, the show was canceled. In March 2023, it was confirmed that Bernthal would reprise his role as
Frank Castle / The Punisher in ''
Daredevil: Born Again'', which is in production for
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
and premiered on March 4, 2025.
In 2016, Bernthal co-starred with
Ben Affleck in the action-thriller ' as Brax. That same year, he was interviewed for the documentary ''Can't Be Stopped'' about an
American graffiti crew of the same name. In 2017, he co-starred in
Taylor Sheridan's directorial debut film ', which premiered at the
2017 Sundance Film Festival. He also appeared in significant roles in
Edgar Wright's ''
Baby Driver'' as Griff and prison drama '. In the Irish action thriller film ', Bernthal played The Mute. Due to the actor's preference to stay in character on film sets, he chose not to speak to the cast or crew for the first few weeks of production. Bernthal was praised for his acting, with ''The Hollywood Reporter'' remarking that Bernthal "steals the film with his intense, nearly wordless performance... with his buff physicality and commanding presence filling the screen."

On November 17, 2017, the initial season of ''The Punisher'' and the film ' were both released. For ''Sweet Virginia'', Bernthal played a gentle motel-owner with
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor system, motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms typically develop gradually and non-motor issues become ...
and critics praised his performance. During the press tours at this time Bernthal's interview on ''
Jim Norton and Sam Roberts'' made news due to his description of
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey Fowler (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor. Known for Kevin Spacey on screen and stage, his work on stage and screen, he List of awards and nominations received by Kevin Spacey, has received numerous accolades, including two ...
(who had faced recent sexual assault charges) making him uncomfortable on the set of ''
Baby Driver''. Bernthal stated that he "lost all respect" for Spacey and that Spacey "was a bit of a bully." In the same month, Bernthal was offered a role in the 2018 biopic film
''First Man'', but declined it due to his daughter's illness. In 2018, he appeared in
Steve McQueen's heist thriller ', and reprised his role in ''
The Walking Dead'' for the
season 9 episode "What Comes After."
Bernthal played the brother of a fisherman (
Shia LaBeouf) in the independent film ''
The Peanut Butter Falcon''. He played business
magnate Lee Iacocca in a supporting role for
James Mangold's action biographical drama ''
Ford v Ferrari''. Production began in the summer of 2018 and the film was released in November 2019. In summer 2019, Bernthal filmed ''
Those Who Wish Me Dead'', an action/thriller film directed by Taylor Sheridan. It was released in May 2021. In early 2019, Bernthal reprised his role in the
film version of ''
Small Engine Repair'', a play in which he originated the role of Terrance Swaino in 2011. The film was released in September 2021. In January 2019, Bernthal joined the cast of ''
The Many Saints of Newark'', the prequel feature film of HBO's ''
The Sopranos
''The Sopranos'' is an American Crime film#Crime drama, crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey American Mafia, Mafia boss who suffers from panic attacks. He reluct ...
'', which was released in October 2021. In the Netflix film ''
The Unforgivable'', Bernthal played the love interest of a murderous woman (
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Annette Bullock (; born July 26, 1964) is an American actress and film producer. The List of highest-paid film actors, highest-paid actress of 2010 and 2014, Sandra Bullock filmography, Bullock's filmography spans both comedy and drama, ...
).
Bernthal has also done work in the PC and console gaming world as a voice actor, and his appearance has been used for non-playable characters (NPCs). He appears in both ''
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands '' and ''
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint'' as LT Cole D. Walker.
2022–present: ''The Bear'' and other ventures
Bernthal starred as
Baltimore Police Department Sergeant Wayne Jenkins in the HBO miniseries ''
We Own This City''. He also played the title character of the eight episode series ''
American Gigolo'' as Johnny and his gigolo alter ego "Julian." Bernthal played Mikey in the
Hulu
Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...
hit series ''
The Bear'' (2022–present), for which he won a
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. On February 18, 2022, ''Real Ones with Jon Bernthal'' debuted, a podcast series developed by Bernthal that "gives the microphone to some of the most interesting, authentic people living on the front lines of the big issues of our time. From cops to gang members, soldiers and doctors, activists and first responders, you're going to hear from people who aren't pushing any agenda other than honest, open dialogue. What transpires is informative, funny, and at times heartbreaking – delivered by people you'll feel an immediate connection to."
Upcoming projects
It was announced in October 2018 that Bernthal has a role in the dark comedy movie ''Snow Ponies'', notably an entry on the 2006
Black List; since the original casting announcement, the film has remained in development. Cast in October 2016, Bernthal will also star in the film ''Stingray'' opposite
Joel Edgerton which has also remained in development. He will also be starring in the American espionage thriller ''
The Amateur'' and
Christopher Nolan
Sir Christopher Edward Nolan (born 30 July 1970) is a British and American filmmaker. Known for his Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Blockbuster (entertainment), blockbusters with complex storytelling, he is considered a leading filmma ...
's ''
The Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; ) is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and remains popular with modern audiences. Like the ''Iliad'', the ''Odyssey'' is divi ...
'', an upcoming adaptation of the ''
Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; ) is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and remains popular with modern audiences. Like the ''Iliad'', the ''Odyssey'' is divi ...
''. Bernthal will also star in and co-write a
Marvel Studios Special Presentation for Disney+ centered on The Punisher set to be released in 2026.
He’s set to make his
Broadway debut in the spring of 2026 opposite
Ebon Moss-Bachrach in
Stephen Adly Guirgis’s stage adaptation of ''
Dog Day Afternoon''.
[Culwell-Block, Loga]
Stephen Adly Guirgis Dog Day Afternoon Play Sets Broadway Debut
Playbill, June 4, 2025
Charity and advocacy
Bernthal and his brother Nicholas run the nonprofit organization Drops Fill Buckets, described as an "impact-driven, entrepreneurial approach to making a difference."
Bernthal is also an advocate of
pit bull ownership and is a spokesperson for the Animal Farm Foundation, which rescues and promotes the equal treatment of pit bulls.
He has three pit bulls of his own who often accompany him to set; two of them, Boss and Venice, made appearances in his 2012 film ''
Rampart
Rampart may refer to:
* Rampart (fortification), a defensive wall or bank around a castle, fort or settlement
Rampart may also refer to:
* LAPD Rampart Division, a division of the Los Angeles Police Department
** Rampart scandal, a blanket ter ...
''.
Personal life
Bernthal married Erin Angle, on September 25, 2010, in
Potomac,
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
. They have three children together. The family lives in
Ojai, California
Ojai ( ; Chumashan languages, Chumash: ''’Awhaỳ'') is a city in Ventura County, California. Located in the Ojai Valley, it is northwest of Los Angeles and east of Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara. The valley is part of the east– ...
.
Angle is the niece of WWE Hall of Famer
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestling, amateur wrestler. He first earned recognition for winning a Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg, gold me ...
.
Bernthal is a fan of the
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division ...
.
Filmography
Awards and nominations
References
Further reading
*
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernthal, Jon
1976 births
21st-century American Jews
21st-century American male actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male video game actors
American male voice actors
American people of Romanian-Jewish descent
Institute for Advanced Theater Training, Harvard University alumni
Jewish American male actors
Living people
Male actors from Washington, D.C.
People from Montgomery County, Maryland
Primetime Emmy Award winners
Sidwell Friends School alumni
Skidmore College alumni