Jon Bernthal Then and Now

Jon Bernthal Then

Jon Bernthal, born on September 20, 1976, in Washington D.C., has a diverse and accomplished family background. 

His parents, Joan and Eric Bernthal, raised Jon alongside his two brothers, Nicholas and Thomas, and even fostered additional children. 

Eric Bernthal, a former attorney, notably served as the chairman of the board of directors for the Humane Society until 2019. 

Jon’s brother Nicholas is an orthopedic surgeon and professor at UCLA, while his other brother, Thomas, is the CEO of a consulting agency and married former Facebook COO and billionaire Sheryl Sandberg in 2022. 

The Bernthal family also shares a connection to the music industry through Jon’s cousin, Adam Schlesinger, the lead singer of Fountains of Wayne, who tragically passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.

Jon Bernthal’s educational journey began at Sidwell Friends School, followed by Skidmore College, where he played baseball. 

However, his passion for acting led him to drop out before graduating and join the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia, influenced by the advice of an acting teacher. 

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While in Moscow, Bernthal’s talent was recognized by the executive director of Harvard’s Institute for Advanced Theater Training, which led him to pursue graduate-level studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts, completing his certificate in 2002. 

Upon finishing his training, Bernthal moved to New York City, where he began his career in theatre, laying the foundation for his future success in the entertainment industry.

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Jon Bernthal Acting Career

After spending four years in New York City and appearing in over 30 Off-Broadway plays, Jon Bernthal moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to further his acting career. 

His first significant television role came in 2006 with “The Class,” a sitcom in which he had a recurring role. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after just one season. 

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However, Bernthal’s breakthrough role came with AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” where he portrayed Shane Walsh from 2010 to 2012 and returned for an episode in 2018. 

His performance earned him a nomination for Breakout Performance – Male at the 2011 Scream Awards, solidifying his place in the television industry.

In June 2015, Bernthal was cast as Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the second season of Marvel/Netflix’s series “Daredevil,” which premiered in March 2016. 

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His portrayal was so well-received that Netflix created a spin-off series, “The Punisher,” with Bernthal reprising his role. 

The first season was released in November 2017, followed by a second season in January 2019, before the series was canceled in February 2019.

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Bernthal has also built an impressive filmography. He has appeared in notable films such as “World Trade Center,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” “Baby Driver,” “The Accountant,” “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” and “Ford v. Ferrari,” where he played the automotive industry tycoon Lee Iacocca. 

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His role in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” contributed to the film winning the Grand Jury Prize for drama at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015.

In 2017, Bernthal took on a challenging role in the Irish action thriller “Pilgrimage,” playing The Mute, a character who did not speak throughout the film. 

As a method actor, Bernthal remained in character on set, earning critical acclaim for his dedication and performance. 

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In 2019, he continued to showcase his versatility by appearing in the Academy Award-winning film “Ford v. Ferrari.”

Bernthal’s career continued to thrive with his role in “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel to HBO’s popular series “The Sopranos,” which premiered in September 2021. That same month, he appeared in the biographical drama “King Richard.” 

In 2022, he starred in the HBO series “We Own This City” and the Showtime series “American Gigolo,” further cementing his reputation as a talented and versatile actor in both television and film.

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Jon Bernthal Movies

• Mary/Mary (2002)
• Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (2004)
• World Trade Center (2006)
• Day Zero (2007)
• A Line in the Sand (2008)
• The Ghost Writer (2010)
• Date Night (2010)
• The Pacific (2010) (TV miniseries)
• Rampart (2011)
• Snitch (2013)
• Grudge Match (2013)
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
• Fury (2014)
• We Are Your Friends (2015)
• Sicario (2015)
• The Accountant (2016)
• Sweet Virginia (2017)
• Baby Driver (2017)
• Wind River (2017)
• Pilgrimage (2017)
• Shot Caller (2017)
• The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
• Ford v. Ferrari (2019)
• The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
• Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
• King Richard (2021)
• Small Engine Repair (2021)
• We Own This City (2022) (TV miniseries)
• Sharp Stick (2022)
• Snow Ponies (TBA)
• American Gigolo (2022) (TV series)
• Origin (2023)

Jon Bernthal’s Wife and Children

Jon Bernthal married Erin Angle, a trauma nurse and the niece of retired professional wrestler Kurt Angle, on September 25, 2010, in Potomac, Maryland. 

The couple has three children: their first son, Henry, born in August 2011, another son named Billy, born in January 2013, and a daughter, Adeline, born in February 2015.

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Bernthal is a passionate advocate for pit bulls and serves as a spokesperson for the Animal Farm Foundation, an organization dedicated to rescuing and promoting equal treatment for pit bulls. 

He owns three pit bulls himself: Boss, Venice, and Bam Bam. His dogs Boss and Venice even appeared in his 2012 film “Rampart.”

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An incident in his 30s had a profound impact on Bernthal’s life. While walking his dog, he was harassed by a stranger, leading to a physical altercation. 

Bernthal struck the man, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement, leading to a brief loss of consciousness. 

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Although Bernthal was taken into custody, he was released after it was determined he acted in self-defense. 

The experience was a wake-up call for Bernthal, making him realize the potential consequences of such confrontations and steering him away from public altercations.

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Jon Bernthal Now

Jon Bernthal, a 47-year-old American actor, has established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. 

Starting his career in the early 2000s, Bernthal gained widespread recognition for his role as Shane Walsh on the AMC horror drama series “The Walking Dead,” where he was a starring cast member in the first two seasons. 

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This role marked his breakthrough and showcased his talent to a broader audience.

In 2023, Bernthal continued to make waves in the film industry with his recent movie “Origin.” 

This latest project highlights his ongoing commitment to taking on diverse and challenging roles, further solidifying his status as a versatile and dedicated actor. 

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His career, spanning over two decades, includes a range of performances in television series and films, from gritty dramas to action-packed thrillers.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bernthal is also known for his personal life and advocacy work. 

He married Erin Angle, a trauma nurse and niece of retired professional wrestler Kurt Angle, in 2010. 

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The couple has three children: Henry, Billy, and Adeline. Bernthal is a passionate advocate for pit bulls, serving as a spokesperson for the Animal Farm Foundation and owning three pit bulls himself. 

His dedication to both his craft and his causes demonstrates a multifaceted individual who continues to impact both the entertainment industry and his community.

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Jon Bernthal’s Net Worth

Jon Bernthal, an accomplished American actor, has built a successful career in film and television, amassing a net worth of $12 million.

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