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Jimmi Simpson
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Jimmi Simpson
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Jimmi Simpson (born November 21, 1975) is an American actor. Known for his work across film, television, and theatre, he is the recipient of BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

Key Information

Simpson made his feature film debut in Loser (2000). Subsequent credits include Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), Zodiac (2007), Date Night (2010), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), White House Down (2013), Under the Silver Lake (2018), and Unhinged (2020).

On television, Simpson played the recurring role of Liam McPoyle on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–2023), and has since had roles in series such as Psych (2009–2013), Breakout Kings (2011–2013), The Newsroom (2014), House of Cards (2014–2015), Hap and Leonard (2016), Westworld (2016–2020), Black Mirror (2017, 2025), Unsolved (2018), Perpetual Grace, LTD (2019), The Man Who Fell to Earth (2022), Pachinko (2022), and Dark Matter (2024). On stage, his portrayal of Philo Farnsworth in The Farnsworth Invention (Broadway, 2007–2008) earned him a Theatre World Award.

Early life

[edit]

Simpson was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, on November 21, 1975.[1] He has two older brothers.[2] He attended Hackettstown High School, where he took his first acting class.[3] After graduating from Bloomsburg University with a BA in theater, he acted for four seasons at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts.[4]

Career

[edit]

2000–2007: Film debut and early roles

[edit]

Simpson made his film debut at age 25 when he played Noah in Loser (2000), a teen romantic comedy directed by Amy Heckerling. This was followed by a supporting role in the Stephen King miniseries Rose Red in 2002, and appearances on television shows such as 24, NYPD Blue, Cold Case, Carnivàle, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where he played the recurring character Liam McPoyle over several seasons, beginning in 2005.[5] Film credits during this period included the sports comedy Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), the revisionist Western Seraphim Falls (2006), and the critically acclaimed David Fincher thriller Zodiac (2007).[6] In an appraisal of the latter's final sequence, where Simpson appears as Mike Mageau, a surviving victim of the real-life Zodiac Killer, Jim Emerson of RogerEbert.com wrote, "Mageau … is nearly a ghost, a deeply wounded soul who is 80 percent certain of his own certainty but, like everyone else, wishes he could be sure".[7]

2008–2015: Stage, television, and film work

[edit]

In 2008, Simpson starred as Philo Farnsworth in a production of Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention on Broadway. His portrayal of Farnsworth was described as "superb" by the Chicago Tribune,[8] and earned him a Theatre World Award.[9] That same year, he made the first of several appearances as Lyle, a fictitious intern, on The Late Show with David Letterman; a role he frequented until November 2009.[10] During that time he made guest appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, My Name is Earl, House, M.D., and Psych, and played supporting parts in the 2009 comedy The Invention of Lying—the directorial debut of Ricky Gervais—and the big-budget romantic comedy Date Night (2010). Next, he appeared in one of the principal roles—Dr. Lloyd Lowery—on the A&E crime drama series Breakout Kings, which ran from 2011 to 2012. The show drew a mixed reception, but critics agreed that Simpson's performance was its best asset.[11][12]

Simpson's next projects were the films Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), The Truth About Emanuel (2013), Knights of Badassdom (2013), and the Roland Emmerich action thriller White House Down (2013), where he played a villainous computer hacker. He then joined the cast of the Netflix political thriller series House of Cards, playing Gavin Orsay between 2014 and 2015.[13] For this, Simpson was nominated on two occasions—alongside his co-stars—for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble.[14][15]

In 2015, Simpson headlined a Circle X Theatre production of Trevor, a play written by Nick Jones. His portrayal of the title character, a full-grown chimpanzee, was roundly praised, with KCRW commenting, "You can't imagine the humanity that [Simpson] brings to Trevor. Yes, it's a funny play and, yes, there's some 'monkey business' but Mr. Simpson's gift is restraint. Instead of playing for broad laughs, he plays Trevor's struggle for just that: an honest struggle".[16]

2016–present: Westworld and career progression

[edit]

Simpson starred on the first season of SundanceTV's dark comedy-drama Hap and Leonard in 2016. Den of Geek felt he displayed a "raw, manic energy" in his portrayal of Soldier—a psychotic drug dealer—that was "by turns infectious and terrifying", adding, "Seriously, [Simpson] is such a great bad guy".[17] That same year, he appeared in a principal role on the debut season of HBO's science fiction drama series Westworld. His portrayal of William, a businessman who visits the titular Wild West-themed amusement park and falls in love with one of its android inhabitants, was described as "spellbinding" by Maureen Ryan of Variety.[18] Simpson was once again nominated alongside his co-stars for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2017,[19] while his work on the show's second season[20] earned him an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[21] Speaking of the pressure he felt being part of the hit show, Simpson said, "I think [a lot of us fear] that we won't be able to sleep at night if we deliver work that we're not happy with … Westworld [is] a lot of responsibility. It's a huge show. There's so much money and publicity behind it … and [the creators] need us to show up and be as amazing as possible. So the fear is a factor, because you look over and you see Anthony fucking Hopkins … It leaves me wondering: "How the hell did I get here?"".[22]

In 2017, Simpson appeared as Walton, a lieutenant aboard the titular spaceship ("USS Callister") in the opening episode of the fourth season of British anthology sci-fi series Black Mirror. In their review, Den of Geek called Simpson "one of [television's] best-kept secrets" and remarked that his performance "pops off the screen".[23] His portrayal of Walton earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor the following year.[24]

Simpson starred as the real-life Russell Poole in Unsolved, a ten-part miniseries based on the 1990s murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, which ran on the USA Network between February and May 2018. IndieWire praised the "elevated artistry" of Simpson's portrayal of the LAPD detective,[25] while Vulture said in their review:

In an ensemble this solid, it can be challenging for one performance to emerge as a standout. But Simpson's does because he so carefully calibrates Poole's intensity, dialing it up by slight degrees in each episode until he's radiating with panicky determination ... Simpson physically and emotionally illustrates [the character's] internal struggle beautifully.[26]

Simpson's next roles were in David Robert Mitchell's neo-noir black comedy Under the Silver Lake (2018), the action thriller Unhinged (2020), and the comedic crime drama Breaking News in Yuba County (2021). He also headlined the ten-part Epix series Perpetual Grace, LTD in 2019, earning strong reviews for his portrayal of James Schaeler,[27] an ex-firefighter embroiled in a conspiracy to scam a corrupt pastor; Darren Franich of Entertainment Weekly described him as "an endearingly slippery protagonist, looking terrified, sad, amused, and exhausted all at once".[28]

Between April and July 2022, Simpson appeared as CIA agent Spencer Clay in Showtime's adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth, which ran for a single season.[29] In a mixed review of the series, Vulture commented that it felt "unsure" of itself, but said of Simpson, "[he tears] into the material [in] amusing and engaging ways".[30] In March that same year, he began playing Tom Andrews on the Apple TV+ drama Pachinko. Chronicling an immigrant Korean family across four generations, the series was universally praised.[31]

Simpson received positive notices for his portrayal of an alcoholic father in the 2023 coming-of-age film The Starling Girl,[32][33][34] an independent drama about fundamentalist Christianity that Peter Debruge of Variety felt was "refreshing" and "rigorously realistic".[35] From 2023 to 2024, he voiced Doctor Royce Hemlock in seasons 2 and 3 of the Disney+ animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch.[36][37]

Simpson wrote the upcoming horror comedy film Slay.[38]

Personal life

[edit]

Simpson met New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey in 2001 during the filming of Rose Red, in which they both appeared. They became engaged in 2005 and married on April 14, 2007, in a chapel on Lake Hayes, near Queenstown, New Zealand.[39] Lynskey filed for divorce in September 2012, citing irreconcilable differences.[40] It was finalized in May 2014.[41]

Simpson married English actress Sophia Del Pizzo in April 2019.[42] It was announced in July 2021 that the pair had split and that Simpson had filed for divorce.[43]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Appearance
2000 Loser Noah
2001 Slo-Mo Alex Short film[44]
2003 The Academy Direct-to-video
Final Draft Chad
2004 D.E.B.S. Scud
2005 Herbie: Fully Loaded Crash
2006 Stay Alive Phineus
2007 Seraphim Falls Big Brother
Itty Bitty Titty Committee Chris
Zodiac Older Mike Mageau
2008 A Quiet Little Marriage Jackson
2009 The Mother of Invention Martin Wooderson
The Invention of Lying Bob
Taking Chances Charlie Cabonara
2010 Miss This at Your Peril Frank Corral Short film[45]
Good Intentions Kyle
Date Night Armstrong Gold
2011 The Death and Return of Superman Mad Scientist Short film[46]
The Big Bang Niels Geck
2012 Hello I Must Be Going Phil
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Joshua Speed
Tracer Gun Ben Short film[47]
2013 The Truth About Emanuel Arthur
White House Down Skip Tyler
Knights of Badassdom Ronnie Kwok
2014 The Last Time You Had Fun Jake
2015 Gravy Stef
2018 Under the Silver Lake Allen
2020 Unhinged Andy
2021 Breaking News in Yuba County Petey Buttons
Night of the Animated Dead Johnny Voice role
Silk Road Chris Tarbell
2022 Studio 666 Venue person
Green Lantern: Beware My Power Green Arrow / Oliver Queen Voice role
A Little White Lie Detective Karpas
2023 The Starling Girl Paul Starling
Fool's Paradise Talk Show Host
2024 Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Green Arrow / Oliver Queen Voice role[48]
Audrey's Children Dr. Dan D'Angio [49]
TBD Home Delivery † TBA Post-production[49]
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Appearance
2002 Rose Red Kevin Bollinger 3 episodes
2002 The Division Sean Townsend Episode: "Forgive Me, Father"
2002 24 Chris 3 episodes
2003 NYPD Blue Mike Episode: "Bottoms Up"
2003 Cold Case Ryan Bayes Episode: "Churchgoing People"
2005 Carnivàle Lee 2 episodes
2005–2013; 2023 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Liam McPoyle 8 episodes
2006 My Name Is Earl David Hayes 2 episodes
2007 Girltrash! Valentine Episode #1.1
2008 Eleventh Hour Will Sanders Episode: "Resurrection"
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Thomas Donover 2 episodes
2008–2009 Late Show with David Letterman Lyle the intern 15 episodes
2009 House Father Daniel Bresson Episode: "Unfaithful"
2009 Virtuality Virtual Man Pilot
2009–2013 Psych Mary Lightly 5 episodes
2010 Party Down Jackal Onassis / Dennis Episode: "Jackal Onassis Backstage Party"
2011 How I Met Your Mother Pete Durkenson Episode: "The Naked Truth"
2011–2012 Breakout Kings Lloyd Lowery 23 episodes
2013 Unsupervised Matthew / Dean Jacobs (voice) Episode: "The Great Traveler's Road"
2013–2016 Person of Interest Logan Pierce 2 episodes
2014 The Newsroom Jack Spaniel 3 episodes
2014–2015 House of Cards Gavin Orsay 17 episodes
2016 Hap and Leonard Soldier 6 episodes
2016 This Is Us Andy Fanning Episode: "Last Christmas"
2016–2020 Westworld William Series regular (season 1); recurring (season 2); guest (season 3)
2017 Psych: The Movie Mary Lightly Television film
2017 Wormwood CIA Agent 2 episodes
2017, 2025 Black Mirror James Walton Episodes: "USS Callister", "USS Callister: Into Infinity"
2018 Unsolved Detective Russell Poole 10 episodes
2018–2020 Dream Corp LLC Patient 21 2 episodes
2019 Into the Dark Peter Rake Episode: "Treehouse"
2019 Perpetual Grace, LTD James 10 episodes
2020 The Twilight Zone Phil Hayes Episode: "Meet in the Middle"
2020 Psych 2: Lassie Come Home Mary Lightly Television film
2021 Solar Opposites Ethan (voice) Episode: "The Apple Pencil Pro"
2021 Ultra City Smiths Detective David Mills (voice) Main role
2021–2024 Star Trek: Prodigy Drednok (voice) Main role
2022–present Pachinko Tom 12 episodes
2022 The Man Who Fell to Earth Spencer Clay Main role
2022 Somebody Feed Phil Himself Episode: "Oaxaca"
2023–2024 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Doctor Royce Hemlock (voice) 11 episodes
2024 Dark Matter Ryan Holder Main role
2025 Twisted Metal Quatro (voice) 2 episodes
2025 Haunted Hotel Abaddon (voice) Main role
TBD The Walking Dead: Dead City Dillard Main role (season 3)[50]
Key
† Denotes series that have not yet been released

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2008 Wanted: Weapons of Fate Wesley "The Killer II" Gibson [51]
2022 Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova Drednok [52]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2008 Theatre World Awards Theatre World Award The Farnsworth Invention Won [9]
2013 Ashland Independent Film Festival Best Acting Ensemble (shared with the cast) The Truth About Emanuel Won [53]
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (shared with the cast) House of Cards Nominated [14]
2016 Nominated [15]
2017 Westworld Nominated [19]
2018 British Academy Television Awards Best Supporting Actor Black Mirror (Episode: "USS Callister") Nominated [24]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Westworld Nominated [21]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jimmi Simpson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jimmi Simpson (born November 21, 1975) is an American renowned for his versatile performances across , and theater, often portraying complex, offbeat characters with a distinctive intensity. Born in , as the youngest of three brothers, Simpson earned a degree in from Bloomsburg University in before embarking on his professional career in the early . His breakthrough came with recurring roles in television series such as (2005–present), where he played the eccentric Liam McPoyle, and (2011–2012), as the brilliant but troubled psychologist Lloyd Lowery. Simpson gained wider acclaim for his portrayal of tech entrepreneur Gavin Orsay in House of Cards (2013–2018), earning Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in 2015 and 2016, followed by his critically praised role as William/the Man in Black in HBO's (2016–2022), which brought him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2018, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He further showcased his range in anthology formats, including the Emmy-winning episode "USS Callister" (2017) as the villainous Walton, and as detective in the limited series Unsolved (2018). In film, Simpson has appeared in notable projects like David Fincher's Zodiac (2007) as nerdy detective Bob Graysmith, the action-comedy Date Night (2010) alongside Tina Fey and Steve Carell, and historical fantasies such as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) and White House Down (2013). His stage work includes a Broadway debut in The Farnsworth Invention (2007–2008), for which he received a Theatre World Award, and off-Broadway productions like Empathitrax. More recently, he reprised his role in the Black Mirror episode ": Into Infinity" (2025) and starred as Ryan Holder in the series (2024). On a personal note, Simpson was married to actress from 2007 to 2014 and to actress Sophia Del Pizzo from 2019 to 2021; he resides in .

Early life and education

Family and childhood

Jimmi Simpson was born James Raymond Simpson on November 21, 1975, in . He grew up as the youngest of three brothers in the small town, where his family resided in a home that remains occupied by his mother to this day. Simpson has described his Hackettstown upbringing as "really great," highlighting the town's self-contained charm with access to nearby woods directly behind his family's backyard, where he spent much of his childhood exploring and playing. Local activities shaped his early years, including around the neighborhood and participating in school chorus, which provided initial exposure to performance. At Hackettstown High School, he took a single drama class, though it did not immediately resonate with him. No major family relocations or significant events disrupted his formative years in leading up to graduation. Following high school, Simpson transitioned to higher education at Bloomsburg University in .

Academic background and initial training

Simpson initially enrolled at Bloomsburg University in as a business major. During his sophomore year, he took an introductory theater course, expecting it to be an easy elective, but the experience ignited a passion for that prompted him to switch his major. He ultimately earned a in theater from the university. While at Bloomsburg, Simpson participated in summer programs at the in , gaining hands-on experience in professional theater settings. After graduation, he committed to four full seasons at the festival, where he performed in productions such as Tennessee Williams's Camino Real (as the Bum in the Window, 1999) and Thornton Wilder's (as the Voice of the Announcer, 2000). These early stage opportunities provided intensive training in ensemble work and live performance, emphasizing authenticity and emotional connection. Simpson's university and festival training fostered his early aspiration to pursue acting as a sustainable , initially envisioning part-time community theater alongside other work. This foundational period cultivated a versatile acting style, enabling him to portray quirky, characters with depth across comedic and dramatic contexts.

Professional career

Film and television beginnings (2000–2007)

Simpson made his feature film debut in 2000 at age 25, portraying the quirky character in the teen Loser, directed by and starring and . The film, which follows a naive freshman navigating social awkwardness and romance, marked Simpson's entry into Hollywood cinema, though it received mixed reviews and modest box office success. Following this, he appeared in supporting roles in other early 2000s projects, including the independent action-comedy D.E.B.S. (2004) as Scud, a tech-savvy operative. In 2005, Simpson took on the role of Crash, the eccentric tech assistant to a rival racer, in the family-friendly Disney reboot Herbie: Fully Loaded, opposite Lindsay Lohan and Justin Long. This appearance in a mainstream blockbuster helped broaden his visibility beyond indie fare, contributing to the film's global earnings of over $144 million. That same year, he began his recurring television role as Liam McPoyle in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, debuting in season 1, episode 7, "Charlie Got Molested." Portraying the milk-obsessed, socially awkward member of the dysfunctional McPoyle family, Simpson's performance became a fan favorite, originating from sketches created by his roommate and co-star Charlie Day, and establishing his knack for comedic oddballs. By 2007, Simpson earned a notable dramatic turn as the adult Mike Mageau, a surviving victim of the , in David Fincher's critically acclaimed thriller Zodiac. His portrayal in the film's haunting final sequence, confronting the lingering trauma decades later, showcased a shift toward more intense, character-driven work and drew praise for its emotional depth. His prior theatre training at the provided a foundation for these versatile screen beginnings.

Expansion into stage and recurring roles (2008–2015)

Simpson made his Broadway debut in 2007–2008 as Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventive protagonist in Aaron Sorkin's play , which explored the rivalry between Farnsworth and RCA founder in the development of television technology. Directed by and co-starring as Sarnoff, the production opened on December 3, 2007, at the Theatre and ran for 89 performances until its closure on March 2, 2008, after mixed reviews praised its intellectual ambition but noted pacing issues. Simpson's portrayal earned him the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance in 2008, recognizing his transition from screen supporting roles to leading stage work, along with a nomination for Distinguished Performance. Continuing his stage expansion, Simpson starred as the titular character in Nick Jones's dark Trevor at Circle X Theatre Company's Atwater Village Theatre in from March to April 2015. In the play, inspired by the of a boy aspiring to be the next , Simpson embodied a delusional adolescent obsessed with training a for , delivering a performance that blended humor, pathos, and physicality alongside co-stars and Malcolm Barrett. The production received critical acclaim for its satirical take on fame and the , with Simpson's lead role securing him the 2015 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance, highlighting his versatility in intimate off-Broadway-style settings. On television, Simpson secured recurring roles that showcased his knack for eccentric characters, beginning with the quirky FBI profiler Mary Lightly on Psych from 2009 to 2013. Introduced in the season 3 finale "An Evening with Mr. Yang" and appearing in three episodes across seasons 3, 4, and 5, Lightly assisted protagonists Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster in cracking serial killer cases with his encyclopedic knowledge and awkward demeanor, becoming a fan-favorite despite his character's on-screen death in 2010. This led to a more prominent recurring arc as Gavin Orsay, a brilliant but unstable hacker, on House of Cards in 2014–2015. Portrayed across six episodes in seasons 2 and 3, Orsay transitioned from anonymous cyber-activist to reluctant FBI informant entangled in political intrigue, earning praise for adding layers of moral ambiguity to the series' ensemble. Simpson balanced his stage commitments with film opportunities, notably appearing as Skip Tyler, a rogue ex-NSA cybersecurity expert and aiding the terrorists, in the 2013 action thriller . Directed by and starring and , the depicted a assault on the and grossed $205 million worldwide against a $150 million , though it underperformed domestically at $73 million and received mixed reviews for its formulaic plot despite energetic action sequences. Critics noted Simpson's role as a highlight for injecting sly humor into the high-stakes ensemble, underscoring his growing reputation for portraying tech-savvy oddballs across media during this period of career diversification.

Major breakthroughs and ongoing projects (2016–present)

Simpson's portrayal of William, later revealed as the Man in Black, in HBO's Westworld (2016–2022) marked a significant breakthrough, earning him a 2018 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the episode "Reunion." His performance as the character's younger and older iterations across the series' first three seasons contributed to Westworld's critical acclaim as a philosophical sci-fi exploration of consciousness and free will, solidifying Simpson's transition from supporting comedic roles to complex dramatic leads. This role built on earlier prestige television appearances, such as in House of Cards, positioning him for high-profile projects in genre storytelling. In the years following, Simpson diversified into varied dramatic formats, including the thriller Unhinged (2020), where he played Andy, the supportive brother to the protagonist amid escalating road rage violence starring Russell Crowe. He then took on the recurring role of Tom Andrews, a sharp American executive in the Tokyo branch of a pachinko empire, in Apple TV+'s multigenerational saga Pachinko (2022–present), appearing in both seasons and drawing praise for his nuanced depiction of corporate ambition and cultural friction. More recently, Simpson portrayed Ryan Holder, a physicist entangled in multiverse experiments, in the 2024 Apple TV+ adaptation of Blake Crouch's novel Dark Matter, further showcasing his affinity for intellectually rigorous sci-fi narratives. Simpson reprised a tech antagonist role in the Black Mirror Season 7 episode ": Into Infinity" (2025), the anthology's first sequel, where his character confronts the digital crew's ongoing quest for autonomy in a virtual Star Trek-inspired world. As of 2025, he has joined The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 as series regular Dillard, a character whose details remain under wraps amid production in , extending his presence in post-apocalyptic drama. This period reflects Simpson's career evolution from eccentric comedic supporting parts, like Liam McPoyle in , to versatile dramatic authority figures, establishing him by 2025 as a sought-after talent in prestige television and film with a reputation for embodying morally ambiguous intellectuals.

Theatre and other contributions

Stage performances

Simpson began his professional stage career shortly after earning a in theater from Bloomsburg University in 1997, spending four seasons at the in from approximately 1998 to 2001. During this period, he appeared in several productions, including the role of Artiba in the world premiere of Quark Victory in 1999. That same year, he played Bum in the Window in ' Camino Real. In 2000, Simpson served as the Voice of the Announcer in Thornton Wilder's . His time at Williamstown culminated in 2001 with the role of Lord in a revival of and additional mainstage appearances, providing foundational experience in ensemble and experimental works. Simpson's Broadway debut came in 2007 as Philo T. Farnsworth in Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention, opposite Hank Azaria, earning him the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance. Beyond this, his post-Broadway stage work included a staged reading of You Are Here at South Coast Repertory in 2012 as part of the Pacific Playwrights Festival. In 2015, he starred as Trevor in Nick Jones' Trevor at the Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles, portraying a young man fixated on becoming a performer. Simpson returned to New York stages in 2016 for the Off-Off-Broadway premiere of Ana Nogueira's Empathitrax at HERE Arts Center, playing the male lead in a drama about emotional intimacy via a fictional drug. Critics have praised Simpson's stage portrayals for their versatility, highlighting his ability to embody complex, idiosyncratic characters with precision and emotional depth in live settings. In , his depiction of the inventive genius was lauded as "superb" for capturing intellectual fervor amid rivalry. For , reviewers noted his charismatic sincerity and nuanced physicality, evoking neurodiverse traits through subtle movements and intense focus, making the character's isolation both endearing and tragic. Similarly, in Empathitrax, Simpson's sympathetic, nervously intense performance grounded the play's speculative elements, allowing audiences to connect with his character's vulnerability amid relational turmoil. These roles demonstrate his range from historical figures to contemporary eccentrics, often emphasizing internal conflict through minimalistic yet expressive delivery. Simpson has credited his theatre background, particularly the rigorous ensemble work at Williamstown, with honing his acting technique by fostering and adaptability in unpredictable live environments. Unlike screen work, stage performances demand immediate connection and nightly reinvention, which he describes as a "process of discovery" that sharpens instinctual responses and emotional authenticity. This foundation has informed his approach to character immersion, prioritizing relational dynamics and subtle behavioral cues over scripted rigidity.

Writing and production ventures

In addition to his extensive acting career, Jimmi Simpson has ventured into writing and production, marking a significant expansion of his creative involvement in filmmaking. His feature writing debut came with the horror comedy Slay, a project that also saw him take on producing duties. Slay, directed by Kyra Elise Gardner, follows a group of high school seniors whose weekend getaway turns violent amid betrayals and a masked killer known as "Kidface," blending slasher tropes with coming-of-age themes in a style reminiscent of Clueless meets Scream. Simpson co-wrote the screenplay, drawing from personal reflections on adolescence, stating, "I wrote Slay about that moment in adolescence where you realize your friends know how to hurt you better than anyone else." As a producer, Simpson collaborated closely with Gardner and the cast, including leads Zoey Luna and Aya Cash, as well as Shawnee Smith and others, to bring the film to fruition. Principal photography wrapped in May 2025, with post-production funded in part through a successful Kickstarter campaign launched that same month to support visual effects and editing. By November 2025, the film was in the editing stage, with a targeted release in 2026. This foray into writing and production represents Simpson's first credited roles behind the camera, motivated by a desire to explore narrative control beyond performance. No prior writing or producing credits in short films, pilots, or other collaborations have been documented in his portfolio as of 2025. Through Slay, Simpson has positioned himself as an emerging multifaceted contributor to independent horror cinema, leveraging his industry experience to champion debut directors and diverse storytelling.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Simpson first met actress on the set of the miniseries Rose Red in 2001, where they portrayed supporting characters. After dating for six years, the couple married on April 14, 2007, in a private ceremony at a chapel near . The marriage lasted five years before they separated on April 9, 2012; Lynskey filed for divorce on October 1, 2012, citing , with both parties waiving spousal support. The divorce was finalized in 2014. Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Simpson and Lynskey have remained amicable, as evidenced by Lynskey's positive comments about him in interviews as recently as 2025. Following his divorce, Simpson began a relationship with English actress Sophia Del Pizzo, whom he was engaged to by late 2018; the pair adopted a cat together that year, highlighting their shared interests in . Due to demanding filming schedules for their respective projects, including Simpson's work on , they opted for a low-key and married on April 5, 2019. Simpson and Del Pizzo separated in November 2020 after 19 months of marriage, and he filed for on July 26, 2021, in , again citing with no children involved. As of 2025, Simpson is in a relationship with filmmaker Kyra Gardner, who is 22 years his junior; the relationship drew media attention and online allegations of grooming, which Gardner publicly refuted.

Family and residences

Simpson has no children as of 2025. His family life has been shaped by close ties to his siblings and parents, though he has not publicly discussed extensive family-oriented activities or philanthropy connected to them. He continues to reside in .

Filmography

Film roles

Simpson's film career spans a variety of genres, often featuring him in supporting roles as quirky or eccentric characters, from comedies to thrillers and horrors. His debut came in the teen comedy Loser (2000), where he played Adam, a college student navigating social awkwardness, directed by Amy Heckerling and co-starring Jason Biggs and Mena Suvari. In The Man from Elysian Fields (2001), a drama about a struggling writer's entry into the world of high-end escorting, Simpson portrayed a minor role as a young associate, under director George Hickenlooper, alongside Andy Garcia and Mick Jagger. He appeared as Arlo in the coming-of-age comedy Orange County (2002), a high school misfit aiding his brother's college dreams, directed by with co-stars and . Simpson's role as Scud in the action-comedy D.E.B.S. (2004), a spy parody following teen agents, was as Lucy's tech-savvy henchman, directed by Angela Robinson and featuring and . In the family sports comedy : Fully Loaded (2005), he played Crash, the rival team's sleazy technician, directed by Angela Robinson with and .
YearTitleRoleDirectorNotable Co-starsGenre/Character Type
2000LoserAdamAmy HeckerlingJason Biggs, Mena SuvariTeen comedy; awkward student
2001The Man from Elysian FieldsYoung associateGeorge HickenlooperAndy Garcia, Mick JaggerDrama; supporting associate
2002Orange CountyArloJake KasdanColin Hanks, Jack BlackComedy; misfit friend
2004D.E.B.S.ScudAngela RobinsonJordana Brewster, Sara FosterAction-comedy; tech henchman
2005Herbie: Fully LoadedCrashAngela RobinsonLindsay Lohan, Justin LongFamily comedy; sleazy rival
2006Stay AlivePhineusWilliam Brent BellJon Foster, Samaire ArmstrongHorror; gamer friend
2006Seraphim FallsBig BrotherDavid Von AnckenLiam Neeson, Pierce BrosnanWestern thriller; bounty hunter
2007ZodiacMike MageauDavid FincherJake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr.Crime thriller; Zodiac victim
2009The Invention of LyingBobRicky GervaisRicky Gervais, Jennifer GarnerComedy; documentary filmmaker
2010Date NightArmstrongShawn LevySteve Carell, Tina FeyAction-comedy; criminal henchman
2011The Big BangNiels GeckTony KrantzAntonio Banderas, Sienna GuilloryCrime thriller; eccentric physicist
2012Abraham Lincoln: Vampire HunterJoshua SpeedTimur BekmambetovBenjamin Walker, Dominic CooperAction fantasy; Lincoln's friend
2013White House DownTylerRoland EmmerichChanning Tatum, Jamie FoxxAction thriller; White House staffer
2014Knights of BadassdomRonnie KwokJoe LynchPeter Dinklage, Ryan KwantenComedy horror; LARP enthusiast
2014The Last Time You Had FunJakeJames SweeneyEliza Coupe, Mary Elizabeth EllisComedy; bickering husband
2015GravyStefJames GriffithsMichael Weston, Lily ColeHorror comedy; masked criminal
2016The Autopsy of Jane DoeAustinAndré ØvredalBrian Cox, Emile HirschHorror; coroner's assistant
2018Under the Silver LakeAllenDavid Robert MitchellAndrew Garfield, Riley KeoughNeo-noir mystery; paranoid neighbor
2019An Acceptable LossAdrianJoe ChappelleTika Sumpter, Jamie Lee CurtisPolitical thriller; NSA analyst
2020UnhingedAndyDerrick BorteRussell Crowe, Caren PistoriusThriller; road rage victim
2021Breaking News in Yuba CountyPetey ButtonsTate TaylorAllison Janney, Mila KunisDark comedy; flamboyant accomplice
2021Silk RoadChris TarbellTiller RussellNick Robinson, Jason ClarkeCrime drama; FBI agent
2021The StarlingBen CarsonTheodore MelfiMelissa McCarthy, Chris O'DowdDrama; therapist
2022AmsterdamDr. LeonardDavid O. RussellChristian Bale, Margot RobbiePeriod mystery; doctor friend
2023The Starling GirlPaul StarlingLaurel ParmetEliza Scanlen, Lewis PullmanComing-of-age drama; strict father
2023Fool's ParadiseTalk Show HostCharlie DayCharlie Day, Ken JeongSatirical comedy; TV host
2024Audrey's ChildrenDr. Dan D'AngioJasper WolfSophia Lillis, Tate EllingtonHorror; unethical doctor
2025Home DeliveryKevin MessinaMicah WilsonReid Scott, Aimee GarciaSci-fi comedy; delivery worker
Simpson often takes on roles that blend humor with unease, as seen in his supporting parts in blockbusters like (action thriller) and indie horrors like . His work in David Fincher's Zodiac marked an early highlight in prestige cinema, portraying a key witness. Recent credits include the horror (2024) and the sci-fi comedy (2025), showcasing his comedic timing in ensemble casts.

Television appearances

Simpson's television career spans a wide range of genres, from to sci-fi , with notable recurring and lead roles that highlight his versatility. He first gained recognition for his recurring portrayal of the eccentric McPoyle in the series (2005–2023), appearing in 13 episodes across multiple seasons as part of the dysfunctional McPoyle family, often involved in absurd schemes against the main characters. In 2011, Simpson made a in the British anthology series , playing the tech billionaire James Walton in the episode "The National Anthem," where his character navigates a bizarre involving digital manipulation and ; he reprised an expanded version of the role, including a digital clone, in the 2025 Netflix sequel episode ": Into Infinity," exploring themes of and corporate ethics over the course of one episode. Simpson portrayed the hacker Gavin Orsay in seasons 2 and 3 of the political drama House of Cards (2014–2015), appearing in 8 episodes as a reluctant FBI whose arc involves betrayals and moral compromises amid high-stakes Washington intrigue. One of his most prominent roles came as , later revealed as the younger version of the Man in Black, in HBO's sci-fi series (2016–2020), where he appeared in 13 episodes across three seasons, depicting the character's transformation from an idealistic visitor to a ruthless antagonist in a theme park populated by androids, earning critical acclaim for his nuanced performance. More recently, Simpson has taken on the recurring role of Tom Andrews, a complex American figure entangled in the lives of Korean immigrants, in the Apple TV+ historical drama (2022–present), appearing in 12 episodes through season 2, contributing to the series' multigenerational of resilience and identity.

Video games and voice work

Simpson began his foray into video games with a prominent voice role in the 2009 action-adventure title Wanted: Weapons of Fate, where he provided the voice for the protagonist Wesley Gibson, bringing intensity and vulnerability to the character's arc in a tied to the 2008 . In 2022, he reprised his animated series persona in the video game Star Trek: Prodigy – Supernova, voicing the robotic antagonist System Slayer Drednok, a role that extended his work from the Star Trek: Prodigy television series and emphasized his ability to convey mechanical menace through vocal modulation. Beyond gaming, Simpson has built a substantial portfolio in animated media, leveraging his live-action experience to deliver expressive, character-driven performances. Notable examples include voicing the sinister Dr. Royce Hemlock in Star Wars: The Bad Batch across its 2023 and 2024 seasons, where his portrayal of the Imperial scientist added layers of calculated evil to the storyline. He also lent his voice to /Oliver Queen in the 2022 film Green Lantern: Beware My Power and the 2024 animated features Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy (Parts One, Two, and Three), capturing the hero's determined wit in ensemble superhero narratives. Additional animation credits include the zombie horror Night of the Animated Dead (2021) as Johnny, the stop-motion series Ultra City Smiths (2021) as Detective David Mills, and the forthcoming Haunted Hotel (2025) as the demonic , showcasing his range in genre-spanning voice work up to the present. Simpson's involvement in these projects typically involves studio-based voice recording sessions, where he performs lines in isolation or with directed to match animation timing, often without on-site given the non-interactive nature of most roles—though his gaming appearances like Wanted utilized performance capture elements for emotional synchronization. This expansion into interactive and animated media highlights his versatility, drawing on honed dramatic skills to enhance .

Awards and recognition

Wins

Simpson received the Theatre World Award in 2008 for his portrayal of inventor Philo T. Farnsworth in Aaron Sorkin's Broadway play , marking his debut on the Great White Way and recognizing his outstanding performance as a promising newcomer. In 2013, Simpson shared the Ashland Independent Film Award for Best Acting Ensemble with the cast of . In 2016, he won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance for his role as the titular character in Nick Jones's play Trevor at Circle X Theatre Company's Atwater Village Theatre production, earning praise for his nuanced depiction of a lonely chimpanzee aspiring to Broadway stardom and highlighting his return to stage work after years in television.

Nominations

Simpson's television work has earned him nominations from prominent awards organizations, underscoring peer acknowledgment of his nuanced character portrayals. In 2008, Simpson was nominated for the for Distinguished Performance for his role in . For his recurring role as the hacker Gavin Orsay in House of Cards, Simpson was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in both 2015 (21st Annual SAG Awards) and 2016 (22nd Annual SAG Awards). In 2017 (23rd Annual SAG Awards), he received another nomination in the same category for his performance as William/the Man in Black in the first season of . Simpson's guest appearance as James Walton in the Black Mirror episode "" led to a 2018 BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, his work as in resulted in a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Series. These nominations, spanning ensemble and individual categories, highlight Simpson's contributions to acclaimed and series through 2018, with no additional major nods reported as of November 2025.

References

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