Chris Messina

Chris Messina is an American actor and director known for his versatile performances across independent film, television, and major studio productions. He gained significant recognition for his role as attorney Danny Castellano on the critically acclaimed television series The Mindy Project. Messina has also delivered notable performances in films such as Argo, Julie & Julia, and The Newsroom, while also establishing himself as a director with features like Alex of Venice.

Early life and education

Christopher Messina was born in Northport, New York, and was raised in a family with a strong connection to the arts; his mother was a yoga instructor and his father was a medical salesman. He developed an interest in acting during his teenage years, which led him to study at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Following his foundational training, Messina honed his craft through extensive work in Off-Broadway theater productions, performing in works by playwrights like Neil LaBute and at notable venues such as the Atlantic Theater Company.

Career

Messina's early career was built on guest roles in television series such as Law & Order and Medium, alongside appearances in independent films like You've Got Mail. His breakthrough came with a recurring role on the HBO series Six Feet Under, which led to more prominent parts in films including Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Greenberg. He achieved widespread fame for his portrayal of the gruff but lovable Danny Castellano on the Fox and Hulu series The Mindy Project, a role he played for the show's entire run. Messina has since balanced television work, including a role in the second season of The Newsroom, with significant film performances in projects like Ben Affleck's Argo, David O. Russell's American Hustle, and the horror film The Boogeyman. He made his feature directorial debut with the drama Alex of Venice, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and has directed episodes of television for series such as The Mindy Project and Light as a Feather.

Filmography

A selection of his notable acting credits includes the film I Care a Lot (2020) with Rosamund Pike, the Netflix miniseries Maniac (2018) alongside Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, and the drama Live by Night (2016), another collaboration with Ben Affleck. On television, he has appeared in series like Damages, The Good Wife, and the limited series Based on a True Story. His directorial work includes the film Monica (2022), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and episodes of The Mindy Project.

Personal life

Messina married film producer Jennifer Todd, the president of MGM and former co-head of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company Pearl Street Films, in 2019. The couple has two children and resides in Los Angeles. He is known to be a private individual who maintains a focus on his family and craft, often collaborating with the same creative partners across multiple projects. Messina is also an avid supporter of various charitable organizations, including those focused on arts education and environmental causes.

Awards and nominations

For his performance in The Mindy Project, Messina received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His ensemble work in Argo was recognized with a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. His directorial efforts have also been acknowledged, with Monica earning praise at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Category:American male film actors Category:American television directors Category:1974 births Category:Living people