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Joel Bissonnette
Joel Bissonnette
Joel Bissonnette
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Joel Bissonnette is a Canadian-American actor.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bissonnette was raised in Montreal, Quebec. He is a graduate of the Dawson College Theatre Program in Montreal.

Career

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Bissonnette is best known as Arnaud DeFöhn from the SciFi channel's show Invisible Man and was a lead in Canadian series Liberty Street.

He has appeared in the films Looking for Leonard, Century Hotel, Boulevard, Suspicious River, The Sum of All Fears, Fight Club, Darkman III, Language of the Heart, Fall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Death of a Ladies' Man. In 2010, Bissonnette played the assassin Pavel Tokarev in the eighth season of the television series 24. In 2018, played Brian in the film Desert Shores for which he won the Best Actor Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Blow-Up Chicago International Arthouse Film Festival.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Bissonnette's brother is film director Matt Bissonnette.[2]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 PCU Sanskrit Major
1994 April One O.P Sniper
1994 Boulevard J-Rod
1996 Darkman III: Die Darkman Die Mayo
1999 Fight Club Food Court Maitre D'
2000 Suspicious River Rick Schmidt
2001 Century Hotel Danny
2001 Heart of Stone Detective Jones
2002 Looking for Leonard Luka
2002 The Sum of All Fears Jared Mason
2005 Break a Leg Not So Happy Actor
2007 Zodiac Inspector Kracke
2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button David Hernandez
2009 Passenger Side Tobey
2014 Fall Michael
2017 The Dinner Antonio
2018 Salton Sea Brian
2020 Death of a Ladies' Man Brendan

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Street Legal Waiter Episode: "Sing for Me, Olivia"
1993 Beyond Reality John Woodbridge Episode: "Keepsake"
1993 Top Cops Torres Episode: "Clarence Comer/Scott Atwood/Charles Falzon"
1994 X-Rated Mack Fischer Television film
1994 TekWar: TekLab Tristan / Mark Stewart
1994 Sirens Richard Episode: "The Needle and the Damage Done"
1995 Picture Windows Mischa Episode: "Language of the Heart"
1995 Prince for a Day Sal Television film
1995 Liberty Street Mack Fischer 13 episodes
1995 Nancy Drew Billy Feral Episode: "The Death & Life of Billy Feral"
1996 Silk Stalkings Alex Thorne Episode: "Playing Doctor"
1997 A Nightmare Come True Paul Chaney Television film
1997 Arliss Glenn Dapensil Episode: "Truth and Responsibility"
1997 F/X: The Series Carl Episode: "House of Horrors"
1998 Psi Factor Murphy Pomerance Episode: "The Edge"
1999 Cracker Ron Miller Episode: "The Club"
2000–2002 The Invisible Man Arnaud de Ferhn 9 episodes
2002 Push, Nevada The Artist 2 episodes
2003 The Shield Adam Episode: "Breakpoint"
2003 Cold Case Carl Episode: "Our Boy Is Back"
2003 Miracles John Episode: "Battle at Shadow Ridge"
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Bobby Jones Episode: "Suckers"
2004 NYPD Blue Eric Praegitzer Episode: "Dress for Success"
2004 Veronica Mars Jeremy Masterson Episode: "Like a Virgin"
2005 The Inside Amos Episode: "Loneliest Number"
2005 Alias Keach 2 episodes
2006 Without a Trace Justin Pomeroy Episode: "Expectations"
2006 Standoff Baron Lent Episode: "Accidental Negotiator"
2007 House John Episode: "Whatever It Takes"
2007 Nip/Tuck Rob Episode: "Chaz Darling"
2008 Eleventh Hour Karl Altschuler Episode: "Argo"
2008 The Mentalist Mitchell Reese Episode: "Flame Red"
2009 Saving Grace Curtis Marks Episode: "She's a Lump"
2010 24 Pavel Tokarev 4 episodes
2010 The Closer Darren Tatem Episode: "In Custody"
2012, 2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Viktor Varlamov 2 episodes
2015 The Blacklist Lyle Fisher Episode: "The Troll Farmer (No. 38)"

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Joel Bissonnette

View on Grokipedia
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Joel Bissonnette is a Canadian-American actor born on October 29, 1966, in Baltimore, Maryland, who was raised in Montreal, Quebec, and trained at the Dawson College Theatre Program. Throughout his career, Bissonnette has built a diverse portfolio in film, television, and stage, often portraying complex supporting characters in both mainstream Hollywood productions and independent Canadian cinema. His breakthrough roles include the Food Court Maitre D' in David Fincher's Fight Club (1999), Inspector Kracke in Zodiac (2007), and the recurring antagonist Arnaud DeFöhn in the sci-fi series The Invisible Man (2000–2002). He also gained recognition for his portrayal of Pavel Tokarev in the eighth season of the action thriller 24 (2010). Bissonnette's work extends to collaborations with his brother, director Matt Bissonnette, including the lead role of Tobey in the indie drama Passenger Side (2009) and Brendan in Death of a Ladies' Man (2020), which explore themes of familial estrangement and . Other notable film appearances include Jared Mason in The Sum of All Fears (2002), Antonio in The Dinner (2017), and David Hernandez in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). His stage background has informed performances in Canadian theatre, contributing to his reputation as a versatile across genres.

Early life and education

Childhood and upbringing

Joel Bissonnette was born on October 29, 1966, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Although born in the United States, Bissonnette was raised primarily in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he spent much of his formative years. Details about Bissonnette's family background remain largely private, with little publicly available information on his parents' professions or the dynamics of his immediate childhood household. His upbringing in Montreal laid the groundwork for his later pursuits, though specific early experiences are not extensively documented in available sources.

Formal education

Bissonnette, raised in , , pursued his postsecondary education locally at , graduating from its Professional Theatre (Acting) program. The three-year program, established in , provided intensive training designed to prepare students for professional acting careers, emphasizing a broad curriculum that included fundamental acting techniques, text analysis through and scene work, and mastery of movement, voice, and speech skills. Students also explored stage presence, imagination, and neutrality via exercises with the neutral mask, while situating theatrical works within their historical and cultural contexts to build a comprehensive understanding of performance. This rigorous focus on and collaboration equipped participants with versatile tools for both classical and contemporary theatre. During his time at Dawson, Bissonnette gained practical experience through classical stage roles, including performances in Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and La Ronde, which honed his approach to character development and ensemble dynamics. These hands-on opportunities in dedicated rehearsal spaces fostered a disciplined foundation in interpretive acting, directly influencing his transition into the Canadian theatre and television landscape by emphasizing adaptability and technical proficiency essential for professional auditions and productions.

Career

Early roles and breakthrough

Bissonnette began his professional acting career in the early with appearances in Canadian television productions, establishing a foundation in domestic media before transitioning to larger roles. His first significant television lead came in the CBC series Liberty Street (1994–1995), where he portrayed Mack Fischer, a central character in the drama about urban youth navigating personal and social challenges. This role marked his breakthrough in Canadian TV, earning him recognition for his portrayal of a complex, street-smart young man. In film, Bissonnette made his debut in the American comedy PCU (1994), playing the minor but memorable role of Sanskrit Major, a quirky student at a politically charged university, which introduced him to U.S. audiences. He followed this with supporting parts in Canadian features like Boulevard (1994) as J-Rod, a hustler in a story of urban survival. These early projects highlighted his ability to handle ensemble casts and character-driven narratives. Bissonnette's versatility expanded into independent cinema with the role of Danny in Century Hotel (2001), an exploring relationships across decades in a single hotel room, where his performance contributed to the ensemble's intimate, interconnected stories. His transition to Hollywood gained momentum with the recurring antagonistic role of Dr. Arnaud DeFöhn in the Sci-Fi Channel series (2000–2002), a terrorist who implanted the with a enabling ; this part, spanning multiple episodes, showcased Bissonnette's range in science fiction and earned him acclaim for his intense, intellectual villainy. Following his theater training at in , these roles solidified his reputation as a reliable bridging Canadian and American markets.

Major works and later projects

Bissonnette's role as the Food Court Maitre D' in David Fincher's (1999) marked an early highlight that resonated into the , contributing to the film's cult status through his brief but memorable portrayal of consumerist excess. In 2002, he portrayed Jared Mason, a key aide to the U.S. President, in the thriller , directed by , where his performance added tension to the geopolitical plot amid a nuclear threat. His turn as Inspector Kracke in David Fincher's Zodiac (2007) further solidified his presence in ensemble casts, depicting a detective in the investigation with a focus on procedural grit. Bissonnette also appeared as David Hernandez in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), directed by David Fincher, supporting the film's exploration of time and aging through a minor but integral role in the ensemble. On television, Bissonnette guest-starred as the assassin Pavel Tokarev in Season 8 of 24 (2010), a role spanning four episodes that intensified the season's counter-terrorism narrative with his portrayal of a ruthless operative. He played John, a CIA agent afflicted by a mysterious illness, in the House M.D. episode "Whatever It Takes" (2007), showcasing his ability to convey vulnerability under pressure in a context. In 2015, Bissonnette appeared as Lyle Fisher in the The Blacklist Season 3 premiere "The Troll Farmer (No. 38)," contributing to the episode's intrigue involving cyber threats and . In later projects, Bissonnette took on the role of Antonio, a restaurant manager entangled in family secrets, in the psychological drama The Dinner (2017), directed by Oren Moverman, emphasizing moral dilemmas in a single-setting confrontation. He starred as Brian in the indie drama Salton Sea (also known as Desert Shores, 2018), directed by Michael Stevantoni, portraying a trucking supervisor facing personal and professional upheaval in a story adapted from George McCormick's book. For this performance, Bissonnette won the Best Actor Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Blow-Up Chicago International Arthouse Film Festival, recognizing his nuanced depiction of quiet desperation. His final major role to date came as Brendan in Death of a Ladies' Man (2020), directed by Matt Bissonnette, where he supported Gabriel Byrne's lead in a surreal comedy-drama exploring mortality and reconciliation, infused with Leonard Cohen's music. Post-2010, Bissonnette's career shifted toward character-driven roles in independent cinema, such as in Passenger Side (2009) and subsequent indies like The Dinner and Salton Sea, allowing for deeper explorations of flawed protagonists over blockbuster supporting parts. Available records indicate limited activity after 2020, with no new major projects announced as of late 2025.

Personal life

Family relationships

Joel Bissonnette's younger brother is Benedict Matthew Bissonnette, known professionally as Matt Bissonnette, a Canadian and . Matt has directed notable independent films including Looking for Leonard (2002), Who Loves the Sun (2006), and Death of a Ladies' Man (2020). The siblings collaborated professionally in the 2009 road-trip drama Passenger Side, written and directed by Matt, where Joel portrayed Tobey, the estranged, recovering addict brother to Adam Scott's character. This project drew on their shared familial dynamics, with Joel's performance highlighting themes of sibling tension and reconciliation in a confined setting. While no other direct collaborations are documented, the family relocated to after Joel's birth in Baltimore, . Public details regarding Bissonnette's parents or extended family remain limited, with the family maintaining a low profile outside of the brothers' professional endeavors.

Private life

Bissonnette has cultivated a low public profile throughout his , with scant details emerging about his personal relationships, marital status, or family life beyond professional circles as of November 2025. This deliberate privacy shields much of his off-screen existence from media scrutiny, allowing him to focus on personal matters away from the entertainment industry's gaze. Information on his hobbies and non-acting pursuits remains sparsely documented in public records. Philanthropic endeavors, if any, have not been prominently reported, underscoring his preference for discretion in private affairs.

Filmography

Film

Joel Bissonnette has appeared in numerous feature films throughout his career, with credits spanning from 1994 to 2020. The following is a chronological list of his known film roles, including character names and directors where applicable.
YearTitleRoleDirector
1994PCU Major
1994April OneO.P. SniperGeorge Erschbamer
1994J-RodPenelope Buitenhuis
1996 III: Die DieMayoBradford May
1999Food Court Maitre d'
2000Suspicious RiverRick SchmidtLynne Stopkewich
2001Century HotelDannyDavid Weaver
2001Heart of StoneDetective JonesDale Trevillion
2002Looking for LeonardLukaMatt Bissonnette
2002Jared Mason
2005Not So Happy ActorMonika Mitchell
2007ZodiacInspector Kracke
2008The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonDavid Hernandez
2009Passenger SideTobeyMatt Bissonnette
2014FallMichaelRebecka Johnston
2017The DinnerAntonio
2018 (aka Desert Shores)BrianMichael Stevantoni
2020Death of a Ladies' ManBrendanMatt Bissonnette
No uncredited or minor appearances beyond these credited roles have been documented. As of November 2025, there are no confirmed credits for Bissonnette following 2020.

Television

Joel Bissonnette began his television career in the early with guest appearances on Canadian series, transitioning to lead roles in the mid- before establishing himself in American prime-time dramas with recurring and guest parts through the and . His small-screen work encompasses a range of genres, from sci-fi and procedural dramas to thrillers. Below is a chronological catalog of his television credits, including series, years active, character names, and episode details where applicable. No confirmed television projects have been announced for Bissonnette after 2015 as of November 2025.
YearSeriesRoleEpisodes/Notes
1991Street LegalWaiter1 episode: "Sing for Me, Olivia"
1993Beyond RealityJohn Woodbridge1 episode: "Keepsake"
1993Top CopsTorres1 episode: "Clarence Comer/Scott Atwood/Charles Falzon"
1994X-RatedMack FischerTV movie
1994TekWar: TekLab (TV movie)Tristan / Mark StewartTV movie
1994SirensRichard1 episode: "The Needle and the Damage Done"
1994–1995Liberty StreetMack Fischer13 episodes (lead role)
1995Picture WindowsMischa1 episode: "Language of the Heart"
1995Prince for a DaySalTV movie
1995Nancy DrewBilly Feral1 episode: "The Death & Life of Billy Feral"
1996Silk StalkingsAlex Thorne1 episode: "Playing Doctor"
1997A Nightmare Come TruePaul ChaneyTV movie
1997ArlissGlenn Dapensil1 episode: "Truth and Responsibility"
1997F/X: The SeriesCarl1 episode: "House of Horrors"
1998PSI Factor: Chronicles of the ParanormalMurphy Pomerance1 episode: "The Edge"
1999CrackerRon Miller1 episode: "The Club"
2000–2002The Invisible ManArnaud de Fehrn9 episodes (regular role)
2002Push, NevadaThe Artist2 episodes
2003The ShieldAdam1 episode: "Breakpoint"
2003Cold CaseCarl Healey1 episode: "Our Boy Is Back"
2003MiraclesJohn1 episode: "Battle at Shadow Ridge"
2004CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationBobby Jones1 episode: "Suckers"
2004NYPD BlueEric Praegitzer1 episode: "Dress for Success"
2004Veronica MarsJeremy Masterson1 episode: "Like a Virgin"
2005The InsideAmos1 episode: "Loneliest Number"
2005AliasKeach2 episodes
2006Without a TraceJustin Pomeroy1 episode: "Expectations"
2006StandoffBaron Lent1 episode: "Accidental Negotiator"
2007Nip/TuckRob1 episode: "Chaz Darling"
2007House M.D.John1 episode: "Whatever It Takes" (guest)
2008Eleventh HourKarl Altschuler1 episode: "Argo"
2008The MentalistMitchell Reese1 episode: "Flame Red"
2009Saving GraceCurtis Marks1 episode: "She's a Lump"
2010The CloserDarren Tatem1 episode: "In Custody"
201024Pavel Tokarev4 episodes (recurring role)
2012–2013NCIS: Los AngelesViktor Varlamov2 episodes: "Rude Awakenings" (2012), "Wanted" (2013)
2015The BlacklistLyle Fisher1 episode: "The Troll Farmer (No. 38)"

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