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Jake Epstein

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Jake Epstein
Epstein in 2016
Born
Jacob Lee Epstein

(1987-01-16) January 16, 1987 (age 37)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1999–present
SpouseVanessa Smythe (m. 2018)
Children1
MotherKathy Kacer

Jacob Lee Epstein[1] (born January 16, 1987) is a Canadian actor and singer. He is known for playing Craig Manning, a musician with bipolar disorder, on Degrassi: The Next Generation. He has also had recurring roles in the television series Designated Survivor and The Hardy Boys.

On Broadway, Epstein originated the role of Gerry Goffin in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. He has also starred as Melchior in the national tour of Spring Awakening and played Will in the national tour of American Idiot.

Early life

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Epstein was born in Toronto, Ontario. His mother, Kathy Kacer, is a Norma Fleck Award-winning writer of children's stories about the Holocaust, and his father is a lawyer.[2][3] He also has an older sister, Gabi, who is an actress and jazz singer.[2]

Epstein is Jewish, and was raised in Conservative Judaism.[4][5] Epstein stated in 2019, "I would consider myself spiritually Jewish rather than religiously Jewish."[6]

Career

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Musical theatre

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Epstein made his professional stage debut in a production of Our Town, which played at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1999.[7] After this, Epstein played the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver!. The musical played at the Princess of Wales Theatre between November 2, 1999 and January 2, 2000.[7]

In 2009, he starred as C.B. (Charlie Brown) in a Canadian production of Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.[8] Later that year, Epstein joined the first national tour Spring Awakening, where he replaced Kyle Riabko as Melchior Gabor. His first performance with the tour was on July 7, 2009, and stayed with the tour until it ended in 2010.[9]

In July 2011, Epstein joined the original Canadian production of Billy Elliot the Musical. He played the role of Tony Elliot, Billy's older brother, in the production which played at the Canon Theatre in Toronto. After that show closed, Epstein played Will in the first national tour of of American Idiot, which began in December 2011. In a 2013 interview, Epstein said that Will was the most challenging role had had ever played. He said, "I sat on a couch and never left the stage for the majority of the show. That experience was a whole lesson in pacing, in creating a whole world for yourself on stage..."[1]

In 2012, Epstein made his Broadway debut in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which played at the Foxwoods Theatre. He was the alternate for the lead role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Epstein referred to the role as a "childhood fantasy come true."[10]

Epstein was cast as Gerry Goffin in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, opposite Jessie Mueller.[11] The musical had a pre-Broadway engagement at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, where it played September 24 and October 20, 2013. He then originated the role when it transferred to Broadway, where it began performances at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on November 12, 2013. Epstein later shared that playing Carole's ex-husband was uniquely challenging because Carole encouraged him to not portray Gerry as the villain, even though the script changes increasingly presented him that way.[10][12] He left the show in 2014 after a year of performances, citing vocal problems and fatigue of playing a real person being portrayed as brooding and villainous.[2] However, Epstein temporarily returned to the show in 2016, where he reprised his role opposite fellow Canadian actor Chilina Kennedy, who starred as Carole.[2]

In 2016, Epstein starred as a closeted gay man in the off-Broadway show Straight.[13][14] He said of the script:

"What resonated with me is how a straight person is just a person, but a gay person is a gay person—it's part of the title you give somebody...I thought the whole angle that the play takes about not a fear of coming out but a fear of definition, a fear of being labeled as a gay man, was an argument that's not really made in our sort of post-acceptance society. It's not about a guy who's afraid of coming out..."[13]

At the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival, Epstein premiered his solo cabaret show Boy Falls From the Sky. The show is a retelling of his experiences in show business, including his time on Degrassi: The Next Generation, the challenges of auditioning for musicals, and his experiences on the ill-fated musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.[15] Epstein was encouraged to write the show at the encouragement of his wife, who he credits with helping him realizing the power and authenticity of "...somebody with a microphone, telling a true story, something that's funny or horrific or whatever..."[12] Mirvish Productions expressed interest in the show, and presented it at the Royal Alexandra Theatre between April 19 and May 29, 2022 and received widespread positive reviews.[2] Epstein has since performed the show across Canada, including in Hamilton, Barrie, and in Quebec at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts.[16][17][18]

Television

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After appearing on the TV show The Zack Files, he played Craig Manning on Degrassi: The Next Generation for five seasons and won the Gemini Award.[19] The character of Craig became a musician on the show and had to cope with parental abuse and bipolar disorder. Epstein said, "At the time, mental illness was not really something anyone was talking about. There was a huge stigma attached — I had never seen [bipolar disorder] on TV, and certainly not in a teenager. I loved the opportunity to portray someone who was conflicted and not perfect..." Craig impregnated a girl named Manny who gets an abortion, and Epstein noted that those episodes were "initially banned" in the United States.[20] Epstein indicated that he "got the chance to really flesh out this guy that felt like a darker extension of me."[21]

He left Degrassi during the fifth season to attend the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal and made theater his new focus. Epstein said, "One of the things I love about theatre is how raw it is. There's no faking it… I really wanted to have a base in theatre, and that kind of opened up all these doors for me." Epstein returned to Degrassi for minor guest appearances in season 6–8.[22]

Epstein played "geeky FBI computer nerd" Chuck Russink in the American TV show Designated Survivor (2016–2018). It was cancelled by ABC after two seasons, and he was no longer in the show when it was picked up and aired by Netflix for a third season.[23]

Personal life

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Epstein married actress Vanessa Smythe in 2018. They welcomed their first child, son Miles August Epstein, on May 25, 2023.[24]

Theatre credits

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Year Production Role Theatre Category Ref.
1999 Our Town Joe Crowell Royal Alexandra Theatre Soulpepper Theatre / Mirvish Productions [7]
Oliver! Artful Dodger Princess of Wales Theatre Mirvish Productions
2008-2009 Cinderella: The Sillylicious Family Musical Prince George Elgin Theatre Ross Petty Productions
2009 Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead CB Six Degrees Theatre Regional: Toronto [8]
2009-2010 Spring Awakening Melchior Gabor First National Tour [25]
2010-2011 Beauty and the Beast: The Savagely Silly Family Musical Prince Zack / The Beast Elgin Theatre Ross Petty Productions
2011 Billy Elliot the Musical Tony Elliot Canon Theatre Mirvish Productions [26]
2011-2012 American Idiot Will First National Tour [27]
2012-2013 Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark alt. Peter Parker/Spider-Man Foxwoods Theatre Broadway [28]
2013 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Gerry Goffin Curran Theatre Pre-Broadway engagement: San Francisco [11]
2013-2014 Stephen Sondheim Theatre Broadway
2016 Straight Ben Acorn Theatre Off-Broadway [29]
2016-2017 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Gerry Goffin Stephen Sondheim Theatre Broadway [30]
2019 Boy Falls From the Sky Himself Supermarket Bar Toronto Fringe Festival [31]
2019 Dear Jack, Dear Louise Jack Ludwig Arena Stage Washington, D.C. [32]
2022 Boy Falls From the Sky Himself Royal Alexandra Theatre Mirvish Productions [17]
2023 Five Points Theatre Barrie, Ontario [16]
Theatre Aquarius Hamilton, Ontario [33]
Sylvan Adams Theatre Segal Centre for Performing Arts [18]
2024 The Last Timbit Shane Elgin Theatre [34]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
2004 Crown Heights N/A
2007 Charlie Bartlett Dustin Lauderbach
2012 Blood Pressure Josh Trestman
2013 Jesse Jesse Turner Short film
2015 4th Man Out Marc the artist
As I Like Her Jimmy Short film
Borealis Fergus
Full Out Coach Pierce
2016 Zaide Saul Short film
2018 Mouthpiece Danny

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 Ricky's Room Bradley
Real Kids, Real Adventures Chris Gilmore Episode: "Lost & Found: The Richard Prieur Story"
2000 Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire Duffy Television movie
Quints Brad Television movie
2000–2002 The Zack Files Cam Dunleavy Main role
2002–2009 Degrassi: The Next Generation Craig Manning Main role (seasons 2–5); guest role (seasons 6–8)
2003 The Eleventh Hour Jacob McGibbon Episode: "Shelter"
Girls v. Boys Himself Contestant Hawaii
2005 Radio Free Roscoe Jackson Torrance Episode: "Musical Influences"
2006 Angela's Eyes Brad Episode: "Undercover Eyes"
2007 The Good Witch Brad Episodes: "Halloween Prophecy, parts 1 & 2"
2008 Paradise Falls Jim Episodes: "Revelations", "Stardust"
2009 Being Erica Malcolm Abrams Episode: "Battle Royale"
Degrassi Goes Hollywood Craig Manning Teleivision movie
2011 My Babysitter's a Vampire David Stachowski Episode: "Blue Moon"
2012 Murdoch Mysteries Eddie Driscol Episode: "Murdoch Night in Canada"
2015 Remedy Jake Ruben Episodes: "Fight or Flight", "Day One"
Charming Christmas Woody Television movie
2016–2017 Degrassi: Next Class Craig Manning Episodes: "#ThrowBackThursday", "FactsOnly"
2016–2018 Designated Survivor Chuck Russink Recurring role
2017–2019 Suits Brian Altman Recurring role (seasons 7–9)
2017 Gone Stephen Episode: "Ride"
Backstage Clive Richie Season 2 Episode 25
Home for the Holidays Charles Ponzi Television movie
2019 Frankie Drake Mysteries Bruce Fordham Episode: "A Brother in Arms"
Mistletoe & Menorahs Jonathan Silver Television movie
A Storybook Christmas Taylor Haldway Television movie
2020 Star Trek: Discovery Dr Attis Episode: "Die Trying"
Christmas at Maple Creek Carter Television movie
2021 Eight Gifts of Hanukkah Daniel Myers Television movie
2022 The Umbrella Academy Alphonso Hargreeves / Sparrow Number Four Recurring role (season 3)
Hudson & Rex Todd Harvey Episode: "Den of Snakes"
2022–2023 The Hardy Boys Mr. Adrian Munder Recurring role (seasons 2–3)
2023 The Wedding Contract Adam Television movie
What We Do for Love Jason Sharpe Television movie
Laughing All the Way Mike Baxter Television movie
Sincerely Truly Christmas Robert Riley Television movie

Discography

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2001 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Movie (Comedy) – Supporting Young Actor Quints Nominated [35]
2003 Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Degrassi: The Next Generation Nominated [36]
Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leadying Young Actor Nominated [36]
Gemini Awards Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series Won [37]
2004 Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series Nominated [38]
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leadying Young Actor Nominated [39]
2005 Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series Nominated [40]
2006 Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Nominated [41]
2018 Hollywood North Film Awards Best Performance – Canadian Short Film Okay / The Talk / Zaide / Hypostasis / I Lost My Mind Nominated [42]
2022 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Outstanding New Musical Boy Falls From the Sky Nominated [43]
Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Blank, Matt (December 31, 2013). "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: "Degrassi," Spider-Man and Beautiful Star Jake Epstein". playbill.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Citron, Paula (April 19, 2022). "Jake Epstein Dishes On Musical Memoir 'Boy Falls From The Sky'". Ludwig-Van. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "Our Canadian Girl". Kathy Kacer. Retrieved June 26, 2006.
  4. ^ Miller, Gerri (July–August 2007). "Jake Epstein". JVibe. 3 (4): 12–15.
  5. ^ Document2 Archived August 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Miller, Gerri (December 4, 2019). "Lifetime Welcomes Jew-ish Romantic Comedy 'Mistletoe & Menorahs'". Jewish Journal. Tribe Media Corp. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Sumi, Glenn (July 3, 219). "Fringe cover story: Jake Epstein talks Broadway, Degrassi and more in solo cabaret". Now Toronto. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Hetrick, Adam (March 13, 2009). "Royal's Dog Sees God, starring Jake Epstein, Gets Canadian Premiere March 13". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 7, 2009). "Epstein Joins Cast of Spring Awakening National Tour July 7". Playbill. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Stevens, Beth (December 12, 2013). "Jake Epstein on Disappointing Degrassi Fans and Breaking Carole King's Heart in Beautiful". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Ouzounian, Richard (August 13, 2013). "Jake Epstein to star in Beautiful musical on Broadway". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Sumi, Glenn (July 3, 2019). "Fringe cover story: Jake Epstein talks Broadway, Degrassi and more in solo cabaret". NOW Magazine. NOW Communications Inc. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  13. ^ a b Lindsay, Benjamin. "'Straight' Actor Jake Epstein's 1 Secret to Doing Good Work". Backstage. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  14. ^ Glitz, Michael (March 2, 2017). "Theater: Jake Epstein Makes the Closet Sexy Again in 'Straight'". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  15. ^ SUMI, GLENN (July 3, 2019). "Fringe cover story: Jake Epstein talks Broadway, Degrassi and more in solo cabaret". Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Ramsay, Janis (September 27, 2023). "7 reasons to love 'Boy Falls From The Sky' at Barrie's Five Points Theatre". Barrie Advance. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Murphy, Aisling (April 23, 2022). "REVIEW: Boy Falls from the Sky at Mirvish –". Intermission Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Toben, Byron (November 30, 2023). "Boy Falls From The Sky lands at the Segal Centre". Westmount Mag. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  19. ^ Ouzounian, Richard (March 14, 2009). "Former Degrassi star Jake Epstein moves into more exploratory realm". thestar.com. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  20. ^ Brody, Caitlin. "Degrassi: Next Class: Craig returns". EW.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  21. ^ "You're A Big Deal: Jake Epstein of Broadway's "Spiderman, Turn Off The Dark"". WBD Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  22. ^ Gioia, Michael (February 24, 2014). "The Leading Men: Jake Epstein and Jarrod Spector, Beautiful's Gerry Goffin and Barry Mann". playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  23. ^ McClenahan, Jay (June 14, 2020). "6 Reasons Netflix Ruined Designated Survivor – Where The Heck Are Lyor, Mike, Leo, Trey, Chuck and Kendra?". So Many Shows. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  24. ^ Andaloro, Angela (June 15, 2023). "'Degrassi' Alum Jake Epstein and Hallmark's Vanessa Smythe Welcome First Baby: 'What a Trip'". People. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 2, 2009). ""Degrassi" Star Epstein to Succeed Riabko in Spring Awakening National Tour". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  26. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "Toronto's BILLY ELLIOT Welcomes David Keeley and Jake Epstein". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  27. ^ Jones, Kenneth (December 21, 2011). "American Idiot Tour, With Van Hughes, Joshua Kobak, Jake Epstein and More, Tests Wings in Upstate NY". PlayBill. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  28. ^ Gioia, Michael (November 30, 2012). ""Degrassi" Star Jake Epstein Will Make Broadway Debut in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  29. ^ Lindsay, Benjamin (March 1, 2016). "'Straight' Actor Jake Epstein's 1 Secret to Doing Good Work". Backstage. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  30. ^ Millward, Tom (October 19, 2017). "Beautiful welcomes Jake Epstein back to the Broadway cast as Gerry Goffin on 22 September 2016". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  31. ^ Hoile, Christopher (July 6, 2019). "Fringe review: Boy Falls From The Sky: Jake Epstein Live at Supermarket". Now Toronto. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  32. ^ Meyer, Dan (October 8, 2019). "Jake Epstein to Star in World Premiere of Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  33. ^ Murphy, Aisling (October 30, 2023). "REVIEW: Boy Falls from the Sky is back, and it's worth the trip to Hamilton". Intermission Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  34. ^ Weaver, Jackson (June 26, 2024). "Wait, why does Tim Hortons have a musical?". CBC. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2001)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Young Artist Awards (2003)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Gemini Awards (2003)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  38. ^ "Gemini Awards (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  39. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2005)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  41. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2006)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  42. ^ "Hollywood North Film Awards (2018)". IMDb. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  43. ^ Watson, Jessica (September 20, 2022). "2022 Dora Mavor Moore Award Winners". Intermission Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
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