Jesse Adam Eisenberg is a talented Hollywood actor of Polish-Ukrainian descent who made his Broadway debut at a young age. His popularity in the film world came after the premieres of the acclaimed movies "Zombieland", "The Social Network", and "Now You See Me". In addition, Eisenberg has been quite successful in drama - several of his works have been staged by major New York theaters.
Multifaceted actor Jesse Eisenberg
Childhood and Family
Jesse was born in New York, Queens, in 1983. His ancestors were Polish and Ukrainian Jews, and his grandmother was born in Moscow. Jesse's mother, Amy Eisenberg, worked part-time as a clown at children's parties, while his father, Barry Eisenberg, was once a hospital administrator in his hometown, and shortly after the birth of his son, he began teaching at a college.
Jesse Eisenberg in childhood and now
Jesse was the only boy in the family, but his sisters, older Kerry and younger Hallie, always joined him in games. It was with little Hallie, who often starred in commercials, that Jesse's fascination with the stage began. At age 7, he made his debut in the children's musical "Oliver!", playing the main role of Oliver Twist, masterfully transforming into an orphan of the Victorian era.
At 13, Jesse became a member of the acting and vocal troupe "Broadway Kids", and soon he and his fellow group members had the good fortune to make it onto the big Broadway stage – he was an understudy in the production "Summer and Smoke" by Tennessee Williams. Within the group, he rarely sang (sometimes he performed as a back vocalist), but he passionately played the drums and even attended the corresponding class at a music school.
Film Career
In 1999, Jesse Eisenberg starred in the teen series "Get Real", where young actress Anne Hathaway also made her debut.
Jesse Eisenberg's first role – the teen series 'Get Real'
Despite his talents, Eisenberg was not considered a star or the life of the party in high school. He had no friends and grew up as a withdrawn, depressed, and shy individual. While his peers socialized and attended parties, he read books and poured his heart into self-written stories.
Jesse Eisenberg in high school
In 2001, he received his diploma and enrolled in the Professional Performing Arts School. During his first year, he starred in the disaster movie "Lightning". His first success was quickly followed by another in 2002 when he played in the black comedy "Roger Dodger" as a hapless teenager trying unsuccessfully to win a girl's favor. The film earned him the San Diego Film Festival award for "Most Promising New Actor".
A scene from the movie 'Roger Dodger'
Eisenberg's next notable role was as the talented but insecure Walt Berkman, who is dealing with his parents' divorce, in the independent family drama "The Squid and the Whale".
Young Jesse Eisenberg (right) in the movie 'The Squid and the Whale'
Later, his filmography included the horror movie "Cursed", where he appeared alongside Christina Ricci, and the supernatural thriller "The Village". In 2009, he starred with the "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart in the movie "Adventureland", and a year later, he played the lead role in the horror comedy "Zombieland".
A scene from the movie 'Adventureland'
Alongside Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin, he survived hordes of zombies, finding himself in numerous amazing situations. It was after this role that Eisenberg started to be recognized on the streets: "Hey, it's that guy from 'Zombieland'!"
Zombieland: Hot Girl Zombie Attack (Amber Heard, Jesse Eisenberg)
In the same year, the film "Holy Rollers" was released, where the young actor played a Hasidic Jew trying to distance himself from his family's orthodox lifestyle by fairly marginal means. Interestingly, Jesse's sister, Hallie Eisenberg, also starred in this film.
Jesse Eisenberg in the movie 'Holy Rollers'
In the fall of 2010, the biographical film "The Social Network" premiered. The movie portrayed four years in the life of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in just two hours.
Jesse Eisenberg meeting with Mark Zuckerberg
The compelling story about friendship and betrayal, talent, and mediocrity earned the young actor several nominations for prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe, the British Academy Award, and the legendary Oscar, which, however, went to Colin Firth for his role in another outstanding biopic, "The King's Speech".
A scene from the movie 'The Social Network'
Over the next three years, Eisenberg starred in six films, among which Woody Allen's romantic film "To Rome with Love" was the most notable. He later worked with the iconic director on the film "Café Society", and Allen also helped Eisenberg stage a Broadway play. Eisenberg admitted that only Woody Allen managed to organically film an actor with his appearance in the role of a guy who can get any girl.
Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Woody Allen on the set of 'Café Society'
In 2013, the action-packed blockbuster "Now You See Me" was released, telling the story of an incredible scam by a team of four gifted magicians. Each of them had a unique talent; Eisenberg's character, Daniel Atlas, was a virtuoso card player.
'Now You See Me': Jesse Eisenberg as magician Daniel Atlas
Among other notable films featuring Jesse Eisenberg are "Louder Than Bombs", where he plays Jon, the eldest son of a war photographer Isabelle, who died in a car crash, the drama "The End of the Tour" as journalist David Lipsky, which received an incredibly live response from viewers after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015, and the lead role in the action comedy "American Ultra".
Now You See Me: Atlas's Interrogation
Jesse Eisenberg also voices the parrot Blu in the animated film "Rio".
Since 2016, his filmography has been actively supplemented with new outstanding works. Firstly, his role as Lex Luthor in the box office blockbuster "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" – he played the antagonist to characters of Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill.
Bald Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor
Another noteworthy film is Woody Allen's melodrama "Café Society", which takes the audience to 1930s New York. Also, that year, the second part of "Now You See Me" was released.
A scene from the movie 'Café Society' with Jesse Eisenberg
2018 and 2019 brought Jesse Eisenberg a number of premieres. Among them are the second part of "Zombieland" with Emma Stone and Woody Harrelson in the lead roles, the sequel "Justice League", as well as a number of author's projects under the working titles "Vivarium" and "The Medusa".
In 2019, the drama "Vivarium" was released, in which Jesse worked alongside Imogen Poots. They play a couple who are somehow magically locked in a house from which they cannot escape until they raise a child.
A scene from the movie 'Vivarium'
In 2020, he starred with Clémence Poésy in the war drama "Resistance". The film is based on real events, with Jesse's character, mime Marcel Marceau, saving children who are victims of World War II.
Jesse Eisenberg in the movie 'Resistance'
Playwright and Startup Entrepreneur
It's no secret that Jesse Eisenberg not only acts, but also ventures into playwriting. Several plays based on his scripts have been staged in New York theaters, the most famous of which are productions of "The Revisionist, ""Asuncion," and "The Spoils," in which Eisenberg also performed as both author and actor.
Jesse Eisenberg in the play 'The Revisionist'
Jesse also publishes short stories filled with subtle satire in periodicals.
Jesse Eisenberg reads his stories to friends
Together with his cousin, Eisenberg created an online entertainment resource called OneUpMe, where visitors are invited to participate in fun linguistic games. The actor's cousin came up with puzzles, while Jesse himself was responsible for the creative part of the project.
The actor has had several serious relationships. In 2002, on the set of "The Emperor's Club", Jesse met Anna Strout, the film's producer assistant. They dated for 10 years, but in 2012 the press learned about their break up. It is unknown what caused the split, although many of Jesse's fans sarcastically noted that the reason was Anna's age - she is six years older than Jesse.
Jesse Eisenberg and Anna Strout
In 2013, the actor started a romantic relationship with actress Mia Wasikowska, whom he met on the set of "The Double". However, the relationship lasted only two years, after which the actor returned to his former lover.
In 2015, Jesse Eisenberg dated Mia Wasikowska
Since 2015, Jesse is once again together with Anna Strout. Two years later, they got married and had a son Banner.
Jesse Eisenberg with his girlfriend and their son
Interestingly, Anna also has Russian roots – her parents are originally from Zuyevka, a town in the Kirov region.
Jesse and Anna in Zuyevka
Jesse Eisenberg is a fervent animal rights advocate and a vegan.
The actor actively advocates for environmental protection
Jesse Eisenberg Now
Starting from 2020, Eisenberg has been working on his debut feature film about a mother-son relationship, "When You Finish Saving the World," based on his own book. He cast young actor Finn Wolfhard and Julianne Moore in the main roles. The film was produced by Emma Stone. It was released in early 2022 and received mixed reviews.
Eisenberg is making his own film
In 2021, the actor reappeared on the big screen as Lex Luthor with the release of the director's cut of "Justice League" by Zack Snyder. In 2022, he played the lead role in the series "Fleishman Is in Trouble," and in 2023, he could be seen in the drama "Manodrome" as a loser who gets invited to a secret male fraternity. The film was nominated for the main prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
A shot from the movie 'Manodrom'
In addition, Eisenberg plans to direct his second feature film about the Holocaust, "The Real Pain," with Kieran Culkin in the lead role.
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Chad Williams
The actor has really great talent! I can`t call him very handsome but charisma is the most important.
2021-04-17 09:12:59
Mary Martin
I don`t know why, but his character in Now You See Me was very annoying. And in the rest of the film I did not feel much sympathy for him. Either the characters are like that, or the actor.
2021-04-16 14:48:12
Samuel Olson
Wow, he is already 36... for some reason I thought that he is even not 30! He is young and talented.
2021-04-06 11:30:49
Mary Hansen
Love him in the movie The Social Network where he plays with Andrew. I watched it several times on TV, I really like it.
2021-04-01 09:34:40
Marlene Rodriguez
I was very impressed by the variety of roles Jesse played. From a silly comedy about a zombie to a dark character like Lex Luthor in DC. The actor has an incredibly wide spectrum!
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Chad Williams
2021-04-17 09:12:59
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Mary Martin
2021-04-16 14:48:12
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Samuel Olson
2021-04-06 11:30:49
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Mary Hansen
2021-04-01 09:34:40
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Marlene Rodriguez
2021-03-24 22:39:32
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