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Christian Navarro
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 |
Christian Lee Navarro (born August 21, 1991) is an American actor known for playing Tony Padilla in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.[1][2][3] He also had a recurring role in the HBO series Vinyl as he works on other movie projects such as Can You Ever Forgive Me? which was released in 2018.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Navarro was born and raised in The Bronx borough of New York City and is of Puerto Rican descent.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Navarro's first film was Day of the Dead 2: Contagium (2005). In 2007, he appeared in one episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. He also had roles in various TV series, such as Blue Bloods, Taxi Brooklyn, and The Affair. He was also selected for the role of John White in the film Run It (2009).
In 2015, Navarro appeared in the pilot for the Rosewood TV series. In 2016, Navarro landed a recurring role in the TV series Vinyl. His big break came in 2017 when he landed the role of Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why.[6] He also had roles in films such as Bushwick (2017) and Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018).[7] In 2018, the actor received the Rising Star Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.[8] In 2021, he starred in the romantic comedy The List.[9][10] Then in 2022, he appeared in the supernatural horror film Prey for the Devil.[11][12]
In 2023, he appeared as a guest player in the third campaign of the actual play web series Critical Role.[13][14] Then in 2024, he starred in the actual play podcast Godkiller: Oblivion as Plenus Eutoches. Rascal noted that the actual play "was nominated at a number of festivals on the Audio Fiction World Cup circuit" and won "Best Ensemble Cast at the LA Webfest".[15] Navarro was also nominated for "Best Player Character Performance in an Actual Play (Podcast)" at the 2024 New Jersey WebFest.[16]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Day of the Dead 2: Contagium | The Infected |
| 2009 | Run It | John White |
| 2017 | Bushwick | Eduardo |
| 2018 | Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Kurt |
| 2021 | The List | Jake |
| 2022 | Prey for the Devil | Father Dante |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Paco Mendoza | Episode: "Senseless" |
| 2013 | Blue Bloods | Uniform #1 | Episode: "To Protect and Serve" |
| 2014 | Taxi Brooklyn | Waiter Bobby | Episode: "Double Identity" |
| 2014 | The Affair | Jed | Episode: "108" |
| 2015 | Rosewood | Carlos Gomez | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2016 | Vinyl | Jorge | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | The Tick | Sidekick | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2017–2020 | 13 Reasons Why | Antonio "Tony" Padilla | Main role |
| 2022 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Carlos Guzman | Episode: "Burning With Rage Forever" |
Web
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Critical Role | Campaign three | F.R.I.D.A. | Guest role; 8 episodes[13][14] |
| One-shots | Wrigley Rincon (Rigglemethis89) | Episode: "Generation Nord"[17] | ||
| 2024 | Godkiller: Oblivion | Plenus Eutoches (voice) | Main role, producer; 11 episodes[15][18] | |
Video Games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Date Everything! | Hector (voice) | [19] |
References
[edit]- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 8, 2016). "13 Reasons Why Netflix Series: Dylan Minnette & Katherine Langford Lead Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
- ^ "Sorry, 13 Reasons Why Fans But This Popular Theory Has Been Debunked". Archived from the original on 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
- ^ "13 Reasons Why's Christian Navarro Just Had His Say On A Major Fan Theory". Archived from the original on 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2018-01-12 – via MTV.co.uk.
- ^ Fernandez, Celia (April 15, 2017). "10 Things to Know About 13 Reasons Why's Christian Navarro, aka Tony". PopSugar. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2017. Page 3 of 11.
- ^ Fernández-París, Juanma (April 1, 2017). "La serie 13 Reasons Why es 'irresistible' y 'adictiva'". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ Shea, Ryan (21 January 2021). "'13 Reasons Why' Stud Christian Navarro Shows Off His Buff Bod". Instinct Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Welch, Alex (2023-09-03). "Critical Role: Campaign 3 Guest Characters & Where You've Seen Their Players". Looper. Archived from the original on 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ Blair, Iain (2018-10-10). "San Diego International Film Festival Offers Diverse Slate of Features, Shorts and Documentaries". Variety. Archived from the original on 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2021-10-28). "Halston Sage Indie 'The List' Adds Christian Navarro And Gregg Sulkin". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ Gomez, Dessi (2023-07-12). "'The List' Trailer: Halston Sage and Christian Navarro Find Love in a Hopeless Place – Los Angeles (Video)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (June 26, 2020). "Jacqueline Byers To Star In The Devil's Light for Lionsgate and Gold Circle; Daniel Stamm Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "13 Reasons Why star on "tricky" challenge of Prey for the Devil". Digital Spy. 2022-10-28. Archived from the original on 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ a b "Critical Role Makes a Radical Change to Its Table Lineup". CBR. 2023-03-17. Archived from the original on 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ a b "Critical Role Fans Believe Another Major Party Shakeup Is on the Horizon". CBR. 2023-05-17. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ a b Zeoli, Rowan (May 24, 2024). "Killing a god and finding a friend at the end of the world". Rascal News. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Award Nominees - Audio Fiction". New Jersey Web Fest. Archived from the original on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ "Generation Nord One-Shot". Critical Role. November 10, 2022. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Godkiller: Oblivion from BlackwaterDnD". Minnesota WebFest. 2024. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Date Everything! Meet Hector played by Christian Navarro. Retrieved 2025-06-28 – via www.youtube.com.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Christian Navarro
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Christian Navarro (born August 21, 1991) is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Tony Padilla, a loyal friend and protector in the Netflix teen drama series 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020).[1][2]
Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Navarro discovered his passion for acting during his sophomore year of high school after participating in a school play, which inspired him to pursue a career in the field.[3] He began his professional acting journey in 2005 at age 14, starting with small guest roles on television series such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007), Blue Bloods (2013), and Rosewood (2015).[1][4]
Navarro's breakthrough came with the role of Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Jay Asher's novel that addressed themes of suicide, bullying, and sexual assault, earning him widespread recognition and a nomination for Best Actor – Television at the 2018 Imagen Awards.[2][5] Following this success, he expanded into film with supporting roles, including Kurt in the biographical comedy-drama Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) opposite Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, and starring as Father Dante in the supernatural horror film Prey for the Devil (2022).[1] In recognition of his rising prominence, Navarro received the Rising Star Award at the 2018 San Diego International Film Festival.[6]
Beyond acting, Navarro has ventured into producing and voice work, notably contributing to the Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role as a guest player and producer, including recent appearances in Critical Role Abridged (2024) and the upcoming Date Everything! (2025).[7] His projects include the romantic comedy The List (2023), where he stars alongside Halston Sage.[8]
As of late 2025, Navarro has no major new scripted television projects announced following his role on 13 Reasons Why.[1]
Early life
Family and upbringing
Christian Navarro was born on August 21, 1991, in the Bronx borough of New York City.[1] He is of Puerto Rican descent and was raised in the Bronx, where he grew up in a close-knit family environment.[9][10] Navarro remains close to his family, with his father serving as a major inspiration in his life.[10] Navarro has a younger sister named Leeann.[11] From a young age, Navarro showed an interest in the arts, though he did not receive formal training until high school.[12]Education and early acting
Navarro attended the Professional Performing Arts School, a public high school in Manhattan specializing in the performing arts, where he balanced a demanding academic curriculum with training in dance, music, and theater.[13] During his sophomore year, he discovered his passion for acting after taking part in a school play, an experience that inspired him to join the drama club and commit more deeply to the craft; at the time, he even expressed to his father his desire to drop out and pursue acting full-time, though he continued his studies.[4][13] This Bronx upbringing, marked by resilience amid urban challenges, further fueled his determination in the arts.[13] Graduating around 2009, Navarro opted not to pursue a traditional four-year college degree immediately, instead channeling his energy into professional auditions and building experience through small local theater roles in New York, including participation in the Wingspan Conservatory ensemble program in 2008.[14][15] These early steps were fraught with challenges, as breaking into the competitive New York acting scene required persistence amid frequent rejections and limited opportunities for young performers of Puerto Rican descent. He later attended Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts to hone his skills, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting.[13][16]Career
Early roles
Navarro began his professional acting career as a teenager, making his screen debut in 2005 at age 14 with a minor role as one of the infected in the low-budget horror film Day of the Dead 2: Contagium, a direct-to-video sequel to George A. Romero's 1985 classic.[17] This uncredited appearance marked his entry into the industry while he was still attending high school in the Bronx.[12] His first credited television role came in 2007, when he guest-starred as Paco Mendoza, a young suspect, in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent during its seventh season. Navarro later reflected that this opportunity arose from his high school acting experiences, which inspired him to pursue professional work.[4] Building on this, he secured a supporting role in 2009 as John White, a street-smart youth involved in a heist, in the independent crime drama Run It.[11] Throughout the early 2010s, Navarro accumulated a series of guest and minor supporting parts in television procedurals and dramas, often portraying young Latino characters in urban or law enforcement settings. Notable appearances included a 2013 episode of Blue Bloods, where he played Uniform #1, a rookie police officer, in the season four installment "To Protect and Serve."[18] He also featured as Waiter Bobby in the 2014 pilot of Taxi Brooklyn and had guest spots in shows like Rosewood (2015) and the HBO series Vinyl (2016), where he had a recurring role as Jorge, an aspiring musician.[19] These roles, while building his resume, frequently confined him to stereotypical Latino archetypes, leading to typecasting challenges that limited his opportunities for more diverse characters.[20] Navarro has discussed how this pattern contributed to professional frustrations during his pre-breakthrough years, prompting him to seek projects that allowed for greater depth beyond ethnic stereotypes.[20]Breakthrough with 13 Reasons Why
Navarro was cast as Tony Padilla in Netflix's 13 Reasons Why after auditioning for the role of the character's loyal friend and protector to protagonist Clay Jensen.[1] Airing from 2017 to 2020, the series follows high school students grappling with the aftermath of a classmate's suicide, with Padilla serving as a key supporting figure who helps distribute the deceased's tapes while confronting his own emotional struggles.[21] Navarro's portrayal depicted Padilla as a resilient yet vulnerable young man dealing with grief, family pressures, and his identity as an openly gay teenager, including storylines involving his relationship with a boyfriend in later seasons.[22] The role delved into complex themes central to the series, such as suicide, bullying, sexual assault, and LGBTQ+ representation, with Padilla often acting as a moral compass amid the characters' traumas.[23] Navarro's performance received acclaim for its emotional depth, particularly in conveying Padilla's internal conflicts and quiet strength, which added nuance to the show's exploration of adolescent pain.[24] Running for four seasons and comprising 49 episodes in total, Navarro appeared in all 49, contributing significantly to the narrative's progression across its run. The series sparked widespread global conversations on teen mental health, prompting discussions and resources on suicide prevention, bullying, and supportive friendships, though it also faced criticism for potentially glamorizing self-harm.[25] Following the show's conclusion, Navarro reflected in interviews on its profound impact, noting how it raised awareness for issues affecting youth while sharing that his preparation involved immersing himself in the character's mindset through practical steps like learning to drive a manual transmission to authentically portray Padilla's iconic Mustang scenes, as well as drawing from real-life accounts of grief and identity to inform his emotional delivery.[26]Subsequent projects
Following the breakthrough success of 13 Reasons Why, which elevated his profile in the industry, Christian Navarro pursued a range of roles across film, television, voice acting, and audio production, emphasizing indie and genre projects from 2018 onward. In film, Navarro appeared as Kurt, a young bookstore employee, in the 2018 biographical comedy-drama Can You Ever Forgive Me?, opposite Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant.[1] That same year, he provided the voice of Miles, a friend of the protagonist, in the sci-fi adventure A-X-L.[1] Navarro starred as Jake in the 2023 romantic comedy The List, directed by Melissa Miller Costanzo, where he portrayed a key supporting character in a story about love and celebrity fantasies.[27] He also took on the role of Father Dante, a young priest confronting demonic possession, in the 2022 supernatural horror film Prey for the Devil, marking his entry into genre cinema alongside Jacqueline Byers and Colin Salmon. On television, Navarro appeared as Luther Canal, a suspect in a poisoning case, in the 2022 episode "In Harm's Way" of CSI: Vegas season 2, showcasing his versatility in procedural drama.[28] Navarro expanded into voice acting with the 2025 video game Date Everything!, voicing Hector, the personification of an HVAC system in this dating simulator inspired by tabletop role-playing elements. In 2024–2025, he voiced F.R.I.D.A., a robotic companion, across eight episodes of the animated series Critical Role Abridged, an abridged retelling of the Critical Role campaign with a focus on humor and adventure.[29] In audio media, Navarro served as a producer and performer on the 2025 podcast Tales Unrolled, an actual-play series drawing from Latin American folklore and Dungeons & Dragons-style storytelling, where he played the character Neza de Colibrí.[30] He also produced and acted in the 2025 podcast The Set Up, a narrative-driven audio project exploring interpersonal dynamics, with both series receiving nominations in the Best Podcast category at the 2025 Signal Awards.[31] Looking ahead to 2025, Navarro participated in the Dungeons & Dragons one-shot Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn as the elf ranger Eloin Emberleaf, under Dungeon Master Aabria Iyengar, highlighting his growing involvement in interactive fantasy content.[32] This trajectory reflects Navarro's pivot toward diverse, character-driven work in indie films, horror, procedural TV, video games, and audio adventures, often blending cultural representation with speculative genres.[33]Personal life and activism
Coming out and personal identity
Navarro keeps details of his personal life private.Advocacy for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights
Navarro has leveraged his visibility from portraying Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why to champion mental health awareness and suicide prevention, emphasizing the need to destigmatize these issues through public discourse. In a 2018 interview, he highlighted how the series sparked vital conversations about mental health among young audiences, particularly Latino communities, and expressed commitment to using his role to encourage therapy and support seeking.[34] In October 2024, Navarro shared on Instagram about his own mental health struggles, emphasizing the essential nature of care and therapy.[35] As a sought-after keynote speaker, Navarro addresses mental health in entertainment, drawing from his experiences to promote access to therapy and emotional resilience. He is represented by the AAE Speakers Bureau for topics including inspirational mental health advocacy, where he shares insights on overcoming personal struggles and fostering supportive environments in the industry.[36][37] In support of LGBTQ+ rights, Navarro has actively spoken out against discrimination, utilizing social media and public appearances to advocate for visibility and inclusion for queer Latino individuals. His efforts include participating in charity events like the 2018 Broadway Sings for Pride, benefiting LGBTQ+ causes through performance and fundraising.[38] Navarro continues this work via keynotes on diversity, equity, and inclusion, focusing on representation in media and combating homophobia within Hispanic communities.[36][39]Filmography
Film
Navarro's film career began with minor roles in independent horror and drama productions before transitioning to more prominent supporting parts in mainstream features.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Day of the Dead 2: Contagium | The Infected | Minor role in independent zombie horror film.[40] |
| 2009 | Run It | John White | Supporting role in independent crime drama short film. |
| 2017 | Bushwick | Eduardo | Supporting role in action thriller. |
| 2018 | Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Kurt | Supporting role in biographical drama.[41] |
| 2022 | Prey for the Devil | Father Dante | Supporting role in supernatural horror film.[42] |
| 2023 | The List | Jake | Lead role in romantic comedy.[43] |
| 2025 | Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn | Eloin Emberleaf | Role in Dungeons & Dragons actual play video production.[44] |
Television
Navarro began his television career with guest roles on established procedural series while still in his teens. His early appearances included a single episode on Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2007, where he portrayed Paco Mendoza.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Paco Mendoza | Guest role (1 episode: "Senseless") |
| 2013 | Blue Bloods | Uniform #1 | Guest role (1 episode: "To Protect and Serve") |
| 2014 | Taxi Brooklyn | Waiter Bobby | Guest role (1 episode: "Double Identity")[45] |
| 2015 | The Affair | Jed | Guest role (1 episode: "Episode 2.5") |
| 2015 | Rosewood | Carlos Gomez | Guest role (1 episode: "A Slight Case of Murder") |
| 2016 | Vinyl | Jorge | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
| 2016 | The Tick | Sidekick | Guest role (1 episode: "Pilot") |
| 2017–2020 | 13 Reasons Why | Tony Padilla | Main role (49 episodes across 4 seasons); his portrayal of the protective friend and confidant to the protagonist marked a significant breakthrough in his career.[21] |
| 2022 | CSI: Vegas | Luther Canal | Guest role (1 episode: "In Harm's Way")[28] |
| 2022 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Carlos Guzmán | Guest role (1 episode: "Burning with Rage Forever") |