| Full Name | Jonathan Edward Bernthal |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Birthday | September 20, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Spouse | Erin Angle (m. 2010) |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Social Media |
Twitter |
Early Life and Background
American actor Jonathan Edward "Jon" Bernthal was born on September 20, 1976 in Washington, D.C. From a young age, he was drawn to acting and sports.
In high school, Bernthal excelled at baseball and was later drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2002. Though he played professionally in the minor leagues for several years, a shoulder injury cut his baseball career short.
After ditching his baseball dreams, Bernthal turned his full attention to acting. He garnered roles in off-Broadway plays and small TV parts before landing his breakthrough role as Shane Walsh on AMC‘s The Walking Dead in 2010.
Rise to Fame on The Walking Dead
As Shane Walsh, Bernthal brought an electrifying, dangerous energy to one of TV‘s biggest shows. Though a divisive character, Shane was undeniably memorable thanks to Bernthal‘s intense performance.
The actor‘s layered portrayal of Shane‘s moral descent earned him critical acclaim. Fans were gutted when Shane was killed off in season 2, cementing Bernthal‘s impact.
Transition to Movies and the Marvel Universe
After being written off The Walking Dead, Bernthal began taking on more film roles in movies like Fury, Sicario, Baby Driver, Wind River, and Ford v Ferrari.
In 2015, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Frank Castle/The Punisher on season 2 of Daredevil. Bernthal‘s take on the dark antihero resonated so much that Netflix launched a spin-off series, The Punisher, starring Bernthal.
Bringing nuance and depth to such a brutal, complex character cemented Bernthal as one of Hollywood‘s most talented character actors.
Recent Notable Roles
In 2019, Bernthal earned praise for his lead role in The Peanut Butter Falcon, an uplifting indie film about a young man with Down syndrome pursuing his wrestling dreams.
He currently stars on American Gigolo, a Showtime remake of the 1980 film. As high-end escort Julian Kaye, Bernthal brings vulnerability and moral ambiguity to the controversial role.
Upcoming projects for the actor include Small Engine Repair and playing tennis coach Rick Macci in the sports drama King Richard.
Passionate Philanthropist
Despite often being typecast as brooding tough guys, the real Jon Bernthal is a devoted husband, father, and philanthropist.
Bernthal works closely with groups like the USO, Coalition for the Homeless, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He also partners with animal rescue organizations and military veteran charities.
The actor and his family have fostered over 50 homeless dogs in the Washington D.C. area. Their generosity has helped countless animals find loving forever homes.
What Makes Jon Bernthal Special
Having followed Jon‘s career for years, I‘m constantly impressed by both his talent and good-natured spirit.
On screen, he disappears fully into even the darkest roles. In real life, he‘s humble, witty, and grounded. Bernthal‘s passionate support for charitable causes reveals his big heart.
As a performer, he brings an unmatched sense of danger and moral complexity. As a person, Jon Bernthal‘s compassion and integrity shine through. That potent combination makes him one of Hollywood‘s most compelling leading men both on and off screen.