Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Billy Magnussen.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Billy Magnussen
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
William Gregory Magnussen[1] (born April 20, 1985) is an American actor. He has been featured in the films Into the Woods (2014), Bridge of Spies (2015), Birth of the Dragon (2016), Game Night (2018), and Aladdin (2019), and has had supporting television roles in Get Shorty (2017) and Maniac (2018). In 2021, Magnussen starred in the sci-fi series Made for Love on HBO Max and appeared in the films The Many Saints of Newark and No Time to Die. He has since also starred as Rey "The King" Kingston in Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023) and as Pleakley in the live-action film adaptation of Lilo & Stitch (2025).
Key Information
.jpg)
He has starred in Broadway and off-Broadway theater productions, including 2013's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, for which he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Early life
[edit]Magnussen was born in Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, the son of Daina, an aerobics instructor, and Greg Magnussen, a professional bodybuilder and kickboxer. He has two younger brothers.[2][3][4] He is of Norwegian and Lithuanian descent. He grew up in Queens around Woodhaven Boulevard until the age of 10, when he moved with his family to Cumming, Georgia. Magnussen graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2003, and later from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.[5]
Acting career
[edit]Stage
[edit]Magnussen made his Broadway stage debut in 2007's The Ritz, starring Rosie Perez.[6] In 2012, he was cast alongside David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver in Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, premiering at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, prior to its move to Lincoln Center in New York City. It then moved to the John Golden Theatre, where it was nominated for six Tony Awards. Magnussen was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Spike. In 2014, he starred on off-Broadway with Anna Gunn in a critically acclaimed production of Sex with Strangers directed by David Schwimmer at the Second Stage Theater.[7]
Film
[edit]Magnussen appeared in the films Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet and Happy Tears, which stars Demi Moore and Parker Posey. He starred as Claude in the film Twelve, which was released July 30, 2010. He played Neil Thomas, a World War II hero, in the 2011 film The Lost Valentine, based on the book of the same name by James Michael Pratt, which aired on CBS on January 30, 2011. That same year, he also played Thor in Whit Stillman's Damsels in Distress. In 2012, he starred in the independent feature Surviving Family.[8]
Magnussen starred in his breakout role as Rapunzel's Prince in Rob Marshall's 2014 film Into the Woods.[9] In 2016, Magnussen appeared in The Great Gilly Hopkins, opposite Kathy Bates, as Ellis, the social worker in charge of Gilly Hopkins, played by Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse. The role was originally written for a female in the novel and stage play. In 2019, Magnussen played the newly created role of Prince Anders in Disney's live action adaptation of Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie.[10] He returned to Disney in 2025, playing Pleakley in Lilo & Stitch.[11]
In the 25th James Bond film No Time to Die (from Eon Productions), Magnussen plays CIA officer Logan Ash, who tries to convince a retired Bond to assist with a mission.[12]
In 2025, he played the lead role in Violent Ends.[13]
Television
[edit]Magnussen played Kato Kaelin on the first season of American Crime Story, about the murder trial of O. J. Simpson. He is known for his role on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, where he took over the role of Casey Hughes on January 29, 2008.[14] He guest-starred on The CW's series The Beautiful Life: TBL in 2009.[15] He guest-starred on Boardwalk Empire as Roger McAlister, Gillian Darmody's (Gretchen Mol) ill-fated lover, and was the stand-in for Jimmy Darmody's (Michael Pitt) corpse.[16]
He also guest-starred on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, in the 10th-season episode "Icarus", and on Law & Order, in the 19th-season episode, "Sweetie". Magnussen appeared in four episodes of The Divide, guest-starred on NCIS: Los Angeles in episode 3 of season 2, titled "Borderline", and in episode 6 of the first season of The Leftovers. In 2017, Magnussen guest-starred as Russ Snyder on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.[17][18]
Magnussen also played a high school teacher Joshua "Nick" Sullivan who engages in a relationship with one of his students in Tell Me a Story during the first season, which came out in 2018.
Music career
[edit]Magnussen once was the bass player and a contributing songwriter for the New York City-based rock band The Dash.[19] He plays guitar in the New York City-based band Reserved for Rondee.[20][21]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Law & Order | Cody Larson | Episode: "Sweetie" |
| 2008–2010 | As the World Turns | Casey Hughes | Contract role |
| 2009 | The Unusuals | Bo Keebler | Episode: "The Dentist" |
| The Beautiful Life: TBL | Alex Marinelli | 3 episodes | |
| 2010 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Cpl Allen Reed | Episode: "Borderline" |
| 2011 | The Lost Valentine | Neil Thomas | Television film |
| In Plain Sight | Jonathan Collins / Yonni Peterschwim | Episode: "Something A-mish" | |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Marc Landry | Episode: "Icarus" | |
| 2012 | Blue Bloods | Rand Hilbert | Episode: "Collateral Damage" |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Det. Michael Crenshaw | 2 episodes | |
| Boardwalk Empire | Roger McAllister | 2 episodes | |
| 2013 | Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell | Spencer | Episode: "Schmickler83!" |
| 2014 | It Could Be Worse | Competition | Web series; episode: "Uncharted Territory" |
| The Leftovers | Marcus | Episode: "Guest" | |
| The Divide | Eric Zale | 4 episodes | |
| 2015 | The Good Wife | Chris Fife | Episode: "Open Source" |
| 2016 | The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story | Kato Kaelin | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Russ Snyder | 2 episodes |
| Friends from College | Sean | Episode: "All-Nighter" | |
| Get Shorty | Nathan Hill | Recurring role (season 1), 6 episodes | |
| 2017, 2025 | Black Mirror | Karl Valdack | Episodes: "USS Callister", "USS Callister: Into Infinity" |
| 2018 | Maniac | Jed Milgrim / Grimsson | Miniseries, 7 episodes |
| 2018–2019 | Tell Me a Story | Joshua / Nick Sullivan | Main role (season 1) |
| 2018–2020 | The Bold Type | Billy Jeffries | 2 episodes |
| 2021–2022 | Made for Love | Byron Gogol | Main role[34] |
| 2022 | Woke | Denny "Dee Dee" Davis | Episode: "Black Exceptionalism" |
| The Offer | Robert Redford | Episode: "A Seat at the Table" | |
| 2024 | The Franchise | Adam Randolph | Main role[35] |
| 2025 | Elsbeth | Rod Bedford | Episode: "I've Got a Little List" |
Audio dramas
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Harley Quinn and The Joker: Sound Mind | The Joker | Scripted podcast[36] |
Stage
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Ritz | Patron | Also understudy |
| 2013 | Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Spike | |
| 2014 | Sex With Strangers | Ethan | |
| 2024 | Shit. Meet. Fan. | Frank |
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Awards | June 9, 2013 | Best Featured Actor in a Play | Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 10, 2018 | Best Ensemble | Game Night | Won | [37][38] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Blank, Matthew. "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Tony Nominee Billy Magnussen". Playbill.
- ^ Dyball \first=Rennie (August 6, 2010). "Five Things to Know About Twelve's Billy Magnussen". People. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ "Photos! Roll in the Hay with Anna Gunn & Billy Magnussen on Opening Night of Sex with Strangers". Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen and mother Daina Photo (2013-06-09)". Broadway World. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen Biography". The Biography. A&E Television Networks. February 29, 2016. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen Joins 'As the World Turns'". Buddy TV. November 29, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (July 30, 2014). "Reading Between the Sheets: Anna Gunn and Billy Magnussen Star in 'Sex With Strangers'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- ^ Propes, Richard. ""Surviving Family" Review". The Independent Critic. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 22, 2013). "Billy Magnussen Ventures 'Into The Woods' To Replace Jake Gyllenhaal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (September 5, 2017). "Disney's Live-Action 'Aladdin' Casts Billy Magnussen as New Character (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 12, 2023). "Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Disney Movie Adds Billy Magnussen". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ Davids, Brian (October 11, 2021). "Billy Magnussen on Key 'No Time to Die' Scenes and 'The Many Saints of Newark'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen & Alexandra Shipp To Topline Southern Revenge Thriller 'Violent Ends' – First Look". Deadline. November 30, 2023.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen: As The World Turns on CBS". CBS. Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ Marsi, Steve (August 26, 2009). "Billy Magnussen to Guest Star on The Beautiful Life". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Jimmy Darmody and Roger McAllister". Fikkle Fame. October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Kimmy and the Trolley Problem!". The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. May 19, 2017. Netflix. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Kimmy Googles the Internet!". The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. May 19, 2017. Netflix. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Billy Magnussen". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ "Welcome to Reserved for Rondee!". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Reserved For Rondee". Facebook. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 16, 2017). "Billy Magnussen Joining Game Night Opposite Jason Bateman & Rachel McAdams". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Kit, Borys (December 13, 2017). "Tiffany Haddish, John Cho Join Ike Barinholtz in Satirical Thriller The Oath (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 12, 2018). "Netflix's Dan Gilroy-Jake Gyllenhaal Film Sets Ensemble (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 15, 2019). "Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen Join Sopranos Movie Prequel (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Bibbiani, William (February 24, 2022). "Family Squares Film Review: All-Star Zoom Call Dramedy Suffers from Weak Connections". TheWrap. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (February 8, 2024). "Comedy Coup!, Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Magnussen & Sarah Gadon, Gets North America Deal". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 22, 2022). "Spy Kids: Billy Magnussen Joins Netflix Reboot". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (May 22, 2023). "Lift: Netflix's Action Comedy Starring Kevin Hart Pushes Premiere Date, Gets First Look Photo". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (August 2, 2022). "Jake Gyllenhaal's Road House Movie A Go At Prime Video As Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen Among Those Joining Cast". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Lang, Brent (August 4, 2021). "Lil Rel Howery, Billy Magnussen and Jillian Bell to Star in Ensemble Comedy Reunion (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (April 21, 2023). "Chris Sanders in Final Talks to Return as Voice of Stitch in Disney's Live-Action Lilo & Stitch (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 3, 2024). "Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon And Hamish Linklater Among Those Rounding Out Cast Of Imperative And Sony's A Big Bold Beautiful Journey". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ O'Connell, Mikey (June 7, 2021). "'Made for Love' Star Billy Magnussen on Finding Depth in the Role of "an Egomaniac and a Sociopath"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (December 16, 2022). "Sam Mendes & Armando Iannucci's HBO Pilot The Franchise Sets Cast Including Billy Magnussen, Jessica Hynes & Lolly Adefope". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ "'Harley Quinn and The Joker' Podcast Starring Christina Ricci, Billy Magnussen Sets Premiere Date on Spotify". Variety. January 12, 2023.
- ^ "2018 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". San Diego Film Critics Society. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ "2018 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". San Diego Film Critics Society. December 10, 2018. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Billy Magnussen
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Billy Magnussen was born William Gregory Magnussen on April 20, 1985, in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens, New York City.[13][14] Magnussen is the eldest of three sons of Daina, an aerobics instructor, and Greg Magnussen, a professional bodybuilder and kickboxer.[3] He spent his early childhood in Queens until the age of 10.[4][15] In 1995, at the age of 10, Magnussen's family relocated to Cumming, Georgia, in Forsyth County.[3][4] Magnussen attended South Forsyth High School in Cumming, where he initially participated in athletics as a wrestler but suffered an injury during his senior year, prompting him to enroll in an acting class as an alternative.[15] This experience ignited his interest in performing arts, leading him to perform in several school productions, including Rumor, Once Upon a Mattress, and A Piece of My Heart.[4] He graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2003.[3][1]Education
Magnussen enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in 2003 following his high school graduation, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in acting through the School of Drama.[3] He completed the degree in 2007, benefiting from the institution's conservatory-style curriculum designed for intensive professional preparation.[16] The UNCSA School of Drama provided Magnussen with a rigorous training program that emphasized constant performance in workshops and major productions across various styles, alongside specialized classes in voice, movement, acting techniques, and skills such as mask work and combat.[17] This environment fostered collaborations with peers, enabling hands-on development of ensemble work and character interpretation essential for stage and screen.[18] Magnussen later reflected on the program's impact, stating it equipped him with foundational tools while encouraging the freedom to forge an individual artistic identity.[16] This education directly influenced Magnussen's early career trajectory, facilitating a seamless transition from student-led productions to professional theater. Immediately upon graduation, he debuted on Broadway in 2007's revival of The Ritz, marking the culmination of his conservatory preparation in classical and contemporary performance.[3] The skills honed at UNCSA, including collaborative improvisation and technical proficiency, underpinned his initial forays into professional stage work, setting the stage for subsequent acclaimed roles.[19]Acting career
Theater
Magnussen received significant recognition for his stage work with a nomination at the 67th Tony Awards in 2013.[20] He was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his portrayal of Spike in Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedic role that highlighted his ability to blend physical comedy with sharp timing in a Chekhov-inspired family drama.[21] The production, which transferred from off-Broadway to the John Golden Theatre, earned six Tony nominations overall, underscoring the ensemble's impact, though Magnussen did not win the award.[22] Prior to this breakthrough, Magnussen's earlier theater appearances from 2007 to 2012, including his Broadway debut in The Ritz and off-Broadway roles, did not yield additional major awards or nominations from bodies such as the Drama Desk or Outer Critics Circle.[21] No regional theater honors pre-dating his New York professional start have been documented in reputable sources.[23] This Tony nod marked his primary accolade in theater, elevating his profile for subsequent stage and screen opportunities.Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Happy Tears | Ray | Mitchell Lichtenstein | [24] |
| 2009 | Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet | Eric | Brian J. Smith | [24] |
| 2009 | Eyeborgs | DHS Agent #1 | Richard Clabaugh | Uncredited [24] |
| 2010 | Twelve | Claude | Joel Schumacher | [2] |
| 2011 | Damsels in Distress | Thor | Whit Stillman | [2] |
| 2011 | Choose | Paul | Marc Rylance | [24] |
| 2012 | 2nd Serve | Lingo | Patrick Brice, Tim Heidecker | [2] |
| 2012 | The Brass Teapot | Arnie | Ramaa Mosley | [24] |
| 2012 | Surviving Family | Alex D'Amico | Y. David Schinner | [24] |
| 2012 | Much Ado About Nothing | Claude | Joss Whedon | [25] |
| 2013 | The East | Porty McCabe | Zal Batmanglij | [2] |
| 2014 | Into the Woods | Rapunzel's Prince | Rob Marshall | [2] |
| 2014 | Revenge of the Green Dragons | Detective Boyer | Andrew Lau, Andrew Stone | [24] |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Mortgage Broker | Adam McKay | [2] |
| 2015 | The Great Gilly Hopkins | Ellis | Stephen Daldry | [2] |
| 2015 | Bridge of Spies | Doug Forrester | Steven Spielberg | [2] |
| 2015 | The Meddler | Ben | Lorene Scafaria | [24] |
| 2015 | I Smile Back | Zach | Adam Salky | Uncredited [24] |
| 2016 | Birth of the Dragon | Steve McKee | George Nolfi | [2] |
| 2017 | Ingrid Goes West | Nicky Sloane | Matt Spicer | [2] |
| 2018 | The Oath | Mason | Ike Barinholtz | [2] |
| 2018 | Game Night | Ryan | John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein | [2] |
| 2019 | Aladdin | Prince Anders | Guy Ritchie | [2] |
| 2019 | Velvet Buzzsaw | Bryson | Dan Gilroy | [2] |
| 2021 | The Many Saints of Newark | Paulie Walnuts | Alan Taylor | [2] |
| 2021 | No Time to Die | Logan Ash | Cary Joji Fukunaga | [2] |
| 2021 | The Survivor | Schneider | Barry Levinson | [2] |
| 2022 | The Lost City | Victor Keating's Agent | Adam Nee, Aaron Nee | Cameo [26] |
| 2022 | Death on the Nile | Gedeon Ottermann | Kenneth Branagh | [26] |
| 2022 | Ambulance | MT Officer | Michael Bay | [2] |
| 2022 | Family Squares | Robert | Stephanie Laing | [24] |
| 2023 | Spy Kids: Armageddon | Rey "The King" Kingston | Robert Rodriguez | [2] |
| 2023 | Coup! | Jay Horton | Joseph Schuman | [2] |
| 2024 | Lift | Magnus | F. Gary Gray | [2] |
| 2024 | Road House | Ben Brandt | Doug Liman | [24] |
| 2024 | Reunion | Evan West | Newton Thomas Sigel | [24] |
| 2025 | A Big Bold Beautiful Journey | Sarah's Ex-Boyfriend | Kogonada | Cameo, released [27] |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | Pleakley (voice) | Dean Fleischer Camp | Released [28] |
| 2025 | Violent Ends | Lucas Frost | John-Michael Powell | Released [29] |
Television
Magnussen began his television career with a prominent role in the long-running CBS soap opera As the World Turns, portraying Casey Hughes from 2008 to 2010 across 197 episodes. His early guest spots included Cody Larson on Law & Order (NBC, 2008, 1 episode), Alex Marinelli on The Beautiful Life: TBL (The CW, 2009, 2 episodes), and Bo Keebler on The Unusuals (ABC, 2009, 1 episode).[31] In 2010, he appeared as Cpl. Allen Reed on NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 1 episode) and Roger on Boardwalk Empire (HBO, 1 episode).[31] Further guest roles followed, such as Marc Landry on Law & Order: Criminal Intent (USA Network, 2011, 1 episode), dual characters Jonathan Collins and Yonni Peterschwim on In Plain Sight (USA Network, 2011, 1 episode), and Neil Thomas in the TV movie The Lost Valentine (CBS, 2011).[31] In 2012, Magnussen played Det. Michael Crenshaw on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS, 1 episode) and Rand Hilbert on Blue Bloods (CBS, 1 episode).[31] He voiced Spencer on Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell (Adult Swim, 2013, 1 episode) and portrayed Eric Zale on the short-lived series The Divide (WE tv, 2014, 4 episodes).[31] Magnussen had recurring appearances on The Leftovers as Marcus (HBO, 2014, 2 episodes) and Chris Fife on The Good Wife (CBS, 2015, 1 episode).[31] A notable role came in 2016 as Kato Kaelin in the FX miniseries American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson (6 episodes). He then played Nathan Hill on Get Shorty (Epix, 2017, recurring, 10 episodes). In 2017, Magnussen guest-starred as Sean on Friends from College (Netflix, 1 episode) and Russ Snyder on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix, 1 episode), and appeared as Valdack in the Black Mirror episode "USS Callister" (Netflix, 1 episode).[31] He portrayed Jed Milgrim / Grimsson in the Netflix miniseries Maniac (2018, 7 episodes). From 2018 to 2019, he played Nick Sullivan / Joshua on Tell Me a Story (CBS All Access, main role, 10 episodes). Magnussen had an uncredited recurring role as Billy Jeffries on The Bold Type (Freeform, 2018–2020, 2 episodes).[31] He starred as the antagonist Byron Gogol in the HBO Max series Made for Love from 2021 to 2022 (17 episodes across two seasons). Additional roles included Robert Evans in The Offer (Paramount+, 2022, miniseries, 3 episodes) and Denny "Dee Dee" Davis on Woke (Hulu, 2022, 1 episode).[31] More recent credits feature Adam in The Franchise (HBO, 2024, main role, 10 episodes)[32] and a return to Black Mirror as Karl Valdack in the season 7 episode "USS Callister: Into Infinity" (Netflix, 2025, 1 episode).[33] In 2025, he also appeared as Rod Bedford on Elsbeth (CBS, 1 episode).[31]Other pursuits
Music
Magnussen began his musical pursuits as the bassist and a contributing songwriter for the New York City-based rock band The Dash in the early 2000s, prior to gaining prominence in acting.[34] The band performed live shows during this period, including a rendition of their original song "Shine" captured in a 2009 performance.[35] In the late 2000s, Magnussen transitioned to playing guitar in the indie rock band Reserved for Rondee, where he also contributed to songwriting.[36] The group, comprising lead singer Trevor Vaughn, guitarists Magnussen and Nick Fokas, bassist Tom Degnan, and a drummer, funded their debut album through a 2012 Kickstarter campaign and released the single "Prescription" in 2014.[37] Reserved for Rondee conducted performances in New York City venues like Joe's Pub and Slake/Midtown Live, as well as a gig in London in November 2013.[38][39] Magnussen's band activities occasionally overlapped with his theater work, such as a December 2014 New York performance with Reserved for Rondee while he was involved in the film adaptation of Into the Woods, and a 2015 live tribute to composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim alongside bandmates.[39][40] His background in music performance informed his approach to on-screen musical roles, including the prince in Into the Woods.[38] Following 2015, Magnussen's musical engagements with Reserved for Rondee became less frequent amid his rising acting commitments, though he has reflected on the band's influence in interviews as recently as 2025, noting their performances fostered unexpected personal connections among audiences.[41]Directing
In May 2023, Billy Magnussen announced his feature directorial debut with The Ridge, a survival thriller that he is also starring in and co-producing.[42] The project, backed by Mandalay Pictures and BRON Studios, features a script by Mike Anderson, John Clavier, and Will Lowell, with Magnussen contributing to the story development to emphasize themes of modern masculinity amid "blue-state vs. red-state" tensions.[43] Set in the Wyoming mountains, the film centers on a bachelor party that spirals into a fight for survival after a truck crash, pitting urbanite Dez (played by Lamorne Morris) against rugged outdoorsman Grady (Magnussen).[42] The ensemble cast also includes Chace Crawford and Jordan Firstman, drawing on Magnussen's prior collaborations in the industry to assemble a tight-knit group dynamic reflective of his acting background in character-driven ensembles.[43] Magnussen has expressed a deep personal attachment to the material, viewing it as an opportunity to redefine traditional notions of masculinity through interpersonal conflicts and wilderness peril, informed by his years observing directorial techniques on sets during his acting career.[43] As of November 2025, the film remains in pre-production following delays due to legal and scheduling challenges reported in 2024, with no confirmed start to principal photography or release date.[43] His approach to directing incorporates lessons from mentors at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where he honed his craft, emphasizing collaborative storytelling and authentic character exploration over polished spectacle.[16]Personal life
Family
Billy Magnussen was born to Greg Magnussen, a professional bodybuilder, kickboxer, and carpenter of one-quarter Norwegian and three-quarters German descent, and Daina Magnussen, an aerobics instructor with a passion for painting and art.[44][45][46] He is the eldest of three sons and has two younger brothers, Jesse and Dane Magnussen, who have largely stayed out of the public eye.[44][46] Magnussen's family heritage includes paternal roots in Norway and Germany, with his paternal grandfather Wilfred Magnussen descending from Norwegian immigrants and his paternal grandmother Ruth Drucker from German ancestry.[45] On his maternal side, his grandparents Algimantas Siemaška and Otilija Meškauskaitė were ethnic Lithuanians born in Latvia who immigrated to the United States.[45] The family's athletic background significantly influenced Magnussen's early development and instilled a strong sense of discipline, as both parents emphasized physical fitness through their professions.[3][44] He grew up participating in wrestling, a shared family activity that continues with regular matches at his parents' home, where his brother Dane, a former Georgia heavyweight state champion wrestler in high school, often prevails.[46]Relationships
Billy Magnussen proposed to photographer and creative director Erica Firestone on September 14, 2025, during a vacation in Sardinia, Italy, capturing the moment on video which the couple later shared publicly on social media.[47][48] The couple began dating in October 2024, with Firestone posting the first public photo of them together on her Instagram that month during a shared outing.[47] Their relationship has centered on mutual interests in the arts and travel, evident in joint trips to Jamaica in January 2025 with friends Zosia Mamet and Evan Jonigkeit, as well as appearances together at events like the Snow Polo Championship in Aspen in December 2024.[49][50] Magnussen has maintained a private personal life throughout his career, with limited details on prior relationships; he dated actress Meghann Fahy from 2017 to 2020, a period during which they occasionally shared affectionate posts on social media but avoided public speculation.[51][52] Following the engagement, Magnussen has described the relationship as a grounding influence amid his demanding acting schedule, contributing to personal stability as he balances high-profile projects like the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch.[47]Credits
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Happy Tears | Ray | Mitchell Lichtenstein | [24] |
| 2009 | Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet | Eric | Brian J. Smith | [24] |
| 2009 | Eyeborgs | DHS Agent #1 | Richard Clabaugh | Uncredited [24] |
| 2010 | Twelve | Claude | Joel Schumacher | [2] |
| 2011 | Damsels in Distress | Thor | Whit Stillman | [2] |
| 2011 | Choose | Paul | Marc Rylance | [24] |
| 2012 | 2nd Serve | Lingo | Patrick Brice, Tim Heidecker | [2] |
| 2012 | The Brass Teapot | Arnie | Ramaa Mosley | [24] |
| 2012 | Surviving Family | Alex D'Amico | Y. David Schinner | [24] |
| 2012 | Much Ado About Nothing | Claude | Joss Whedon | [25] |
| 2013 | The East | Porty McCabe | Zal Batmanglij | [2] |
| 2014 | Into the Woods | Rapunzel's Prince | Rob Marshall | [2] |
| 2014 | Revenge of the Green Dragons | Detective Boyer | Andrew Lau, Andrew Stone | [24] |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Mortgage Broker | Adam McKay | [2] |
| 2015 | The Great Gilly Hopkins | Ellis | Stephen Daldry | [2] |
| 2015 | Bridge of Spies | Doug Forrester | Steven Spielberg | [2] |
| 2015 | The Meddler | Ben | Lorene Scafaria | [24] |
| 2015 | I Smile Back | Zach | Adam Salky | Uncredited [24] |
| 2016 | Birth of the Dragon | Steve McKee | George Nolfi | [2] |
| 2017 | Ingrid Goes West | Nicky Sloane | Matt Spicer | [2] |
| 2018 | The Oath | Mason | Ike Barinholtz | [2] |
| 2018 | Game Night | Ryan | John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein | [2] |
| 2019 | Aladdin | Prince Anders | Guy Ritchie | [2] |
| 2019 | Velvet Buzzsaw | Bryson | Dan Gilroy | [2] |
| 2021 | The Many Saints of Newark | Paulie Walnuts | Alan Taylor | [2] |
| 2021 | No Time to Die | Logan Ash | Cary Joji Fukunaga | [2] |
| 2021 | The Survivor | Schneider | Barry Levinson | [2] |
| 2022 | The Lost City | Victor Keating's Agent | Adam Nee, Aaron Nee | Cameo [26] |
| 2022 | Death on the Nile | Gedeon Ottermann | Kenneth Branagh | [26] |
| 2022 | Family Squares | Robert | [24] (Note: This is a film.) | |
| 2023 | Spy Kids: Armageddon | Rey "The King" Kingston | Robert Rodriguez | [2] |
| 2023 | Coup! | Jay Horton | Joseph Schuman | [2] |
| 2024 | Lift | Magnus | F. Gary Gray | [2] |
| 2024 | Road House | Ben Brandt | Doug Liman | [24] |
| 2024 | Reunion | Evan West | Newton Thomas Sigel | [24] |
| 2025 | A Big Bold Beautiful Journey | Sarah's Ex-Boyfriend | Kogonada | Cameo, released [27] |
| 2025 | Lilo & Stitch | Pleakley (voice) | Dean Fleischer Camp | Released [28] |
| 2025 | Violent Ends | Lucas Frost | John-Michael Powell | Released [29] |