Bruce Marchiano
{{short description|American actor and author (born 1956)}}
{{update after|2022|07|28}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Bruce Joseph Marchiano
|image =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|2|5}}
|birth_place = Los Angeles, California, USA
|occupation = Actor
|years_active = 1984–present
}}
Bruce Marchiano (born February 5, 1956) is an American actor and author best known for his portrayals of Jesus Christ in the Visual Bible film series.{{cite web|url=https://www.higherlevelagency.org/brucemarchiano.html|title=BRUCE MARCHIANO|date=n.d.|publisher=Higher Level Agency|access-date=2021-07-28}}
Early life
Marchiano was born in Los Angeles, California on February 5, 1956.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0545622/bio|title=Bruce Marchiano|date=n.d.|publisher=IMDb|access-date=2021-07-28}} His father is of Italian descent and his mother is of Syrian descent{{cite web|url=https://insider.pureflix.com/movies/bruce-marchiano-on-what-its-like-to-play-jesus|last=Marchiano|first=Bruce|title=BRUCE MARCHIANO ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PLAY JESUS|date=2016-10-21|publisher=PureFlix Insider|access-date=2021-07-28}} and he has one brother.{{cite book|last=Marchiano|first=Bruce|title=The Character of a Man: Reflecting the image of Jesus|url={{Google books|Tri3I8Qw3yAC|page=99|plainurl=yes}}|page=99}} He attended Catholic schools until graduating from Servite High School in Anaheim, California in 1973.Yearbook 1973, Servite High School, Volume XII, Anaheim, California.{{cite web|url=https://archive.gci.org/articles/playing-jesus-a-discussion-with-bruce-marchiano/|title=Jesus Christ: Playing Jesus—a Discussion with Bruce Marchiano|date=n.d.|publisher=Grace Communion International|access-date=2021-07-28}} A Dustin Hoffman film he saw in theaters when he was young inspired him to be an actor and he acted throughout high school.{{cite web|url=https://sonomachristianhome.com/2013/07/a-compelling-interview-with-christian-actor-bruce-marchiano/|last=Wilharm|first=Sharon|title=A COMPELLING INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN ACTOR – BRUCE MARCHIANO|date=2013-07-24|publisher=Sonoma Christian Home|access-date=2021-07-28}}
Marchiano earned his B.A. in economics from California State University, Fullerton and a J.D. degree from Western State University.{{cite web|url=https://christianworldviewfilmfestival.com/speaker/8999/|title=Bruce Marchiano|date=2018|publisher=Christian Worldview Film Festival|access-date=2021-07-28}} He passed the State Bar of California in 1980 but only actively practiced law in 2019.{{cite web|url=http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Licensee/Detail/94118|title=Attorney Profile|date=n.d.|publisher=The State Bar of California|access-date=2021-07-28}}
Career
=Acting career=
Marchiano's first role was a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote, which was followed by appearances in LA Law, Columbo, and the low-budget horror film, Curse II: The Bite.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brucemarchiano.com/about/bruces-story |title=Bruce's Story « Marchiano Ministries |access-date=2010-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020204845/http://www.brucemarchiano.com/about/bruces-story/ |archive-date=2013-10-20 |url-status=dead }}
As of 2021, he has played Jesus in at least ten films; Higher Level Agency claims he has appeared as Jesus in more movies than any other actor. In the 2009 film Road to Emmaus, he portrayed Jesus' mysterious post-resurrection appearance to two disciples as described in the Gospel of Luke.{{cite web|url=https://dove.org/review/9971-road-to-emmaus-pa/|title=Road to Emmaus, PA|date=n.d.|publisher=Dove Family Friendly Films|access-date=2021-07-28}} He also voiced an animated Jesus in the children's animation Lion of Judah.{{cite web|url=https://www.thejoyousliving.com/lion-of-judah/|title=LION OF JUDAH (2011): AN EXCELLENT FILM TO WATCH WITH THE FAMILY ON EASTER|date=n.d.|publisher=The Joyous Living|access-date=2021-07-28}}{{cite web|url=http://marchianoministries.com/bruce-marchiano/|title=Bruce Marchiano|work=marchianoministries.com}} In 2012, Marchiano portrayed Jesus in Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, a film about St. Peter recalling his early days as he prepares for his martyrdom in Rome.{{cite web|url=https://www.christiancinema.com/digital/movie/apostle-peter-and-the-last-supper|title=Apostle Peter and the Last Supper|date=n.d.|publisher=Christian Cinema|access-date=2021-07-28}} In 2014 he appeared as Jesus in The Week that Changed the World.
=Writing career=
Marchiano has written four books, mostly about his experiences portraying Jesus:
- In the Footsteps of Jesus: One Man’s Journey (1997), Harvest House
- Jesus, the Man Who Loved Women: He Treasures, Esteems, and Delights in You (2008), Howard Books
- The Character of a Man: Reflecting the Image of Jesus (2010), Howard Books
- Jesus Wept (2012), Howard Books
He also wrote, directed, and appeared in the pro-life film Alison's Choice
Marchiano Ministries
Marchiano runs Marchiano Ministries, a non-profit ministry based out of North Hollywood, California that goes on missionary trips to South Africa. He has given talks at schools and churches since 1993.{{cite web|url=https://www.marchianoministries.com/ministry|title=A word from Bruce|date=n.d.|publisher=Marchiano Ministries|access-date=2021-07-28}}{{cite web|url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Bruce-Marchiano/38977969|title=Bruce Marchiano|website=Simon & Schuster}}
Personal life
Marchiano grew up in the Catholic Church but became a Protestant{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} in 1989. He and his wife Maria have two children, Shane and Brooke.{{cite web|url=https://clmagazine.org/topic/abortion/powerful-pro-life-film-is-already-saving-lives/|last=Mahoney|first=Karen|title=Powerful pro-life film is already saving lives|date=2017|publisher=celebrateLIFE|access-date=2021-07-28}}
Filmography
=Films=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| scope="row" | 1987
| The Three Kings | | |
|---|
| scope="row" | 1989
| Deputy Barney | |
| scope="row" | 1993
| Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 1994
| Jesus | Uncredited |
| scope="row" | 2001
| Legend of the Candy Cane | John Sonneman (voice) | TV movie |
| scope="row" | 2001
| Jake | |
| scope="row" | 2002
| Jesus the Christ | Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2006
| Peter | |
| scope="row" | 2010
| Road to Emmaus | Jesus | TV movie |
| scope="row" | 2010
| Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2011
| The Lion of Judah | Jesus (voice) | |
| scope="row" | 2011
| Dr. McDowell | TV movie |
| scope="row" | 2012
| The Encounter: Paradise Lost | Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2012
| Apostle Peter and the Last Supper | Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2013
| Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End | The Stranger | |
| scope="row" | 2013
| This is Our Time | Professor Callahan | |
| scope="row" | 2013
| For Love's Sake | Dr. Clement Lloyd | |
| scope="row" | 2013
| Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire | The Stranger | |
| scope="row" | 2013
| Come Follow Me | Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2014
| Revelation Road: The Black Rider | The Stranger | |
| scope="row" | 2015
| Alison's Choice | The Janitor/Jesus | Writer, director, producer |
| scope="row" | 2015
| My Son, My Savior | Jesus | |
| scope="row" | 2018
| Grace and Gravity | John Palmer | |
| scope="row" | 2019
| Pastor Mark | |
| scope="row" | 2020
| The Author, the Star, and the Keeper | Author | |
| scope="row" | 2021
| Banking on Christmas | Bob West | TV movie |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| scope="row" | 1985
| Assistant Director | Episode Murder to a Jazz Beat |
|---|
| scope="row" | 1987
| Gerald | Episode Green Blizzard |
| scope="row" | 1989
| Hardball | | Episode The Silver Scream |
| scope="row" | 1989
| Rick | Episode Dream Come True |
| scope="row" | 1989
| Scofini | 3 episodes |
| scope="row" | 1989
| L.A. Law | Catcher | Episode The Unsterile Cuckoo |
| scope="row" | 1990
| Starvos | 3 episodes |
| scope="row" | 1991
| Columbo | 2nd Technician | Episode Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star |
| scope="row" | 1995
| Minister | Episode Sometimes a Great Commotion |
| scope="row" | 2016-2020
| Jesus, Victor, The Man | 14 episodes |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0545622}}
- https://web.archive.org/web/20071030094648/http://www.vineyardboise.org/publications/articles/2000/quarter_2/bruce.htm
- https://archive.today/20070106002437/http://www.gospelaccordingtojohn.com/text/biography.htm
- http://www.brucemarchiano.com/
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marchiano, Bruce}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:American people of Syrian descent
Category:Male actors from Los Angeles
Category:Servite High School alumni