Theo Rossi
{{Short description|American actor (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Theo Rossi
| image = Theo Rossi by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Rossi at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con
| birth_name = John Theodore Rossi
| birth_place = Staten Island, New York City, U.S.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|6|4}}{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
| nationality =
| alma_mater = University at Albany
| years_active = 2001–present
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|philanthropist}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Meghan McDermott|2014}}
| children = 2
}}
John Theodore Rossi (born June 4, 1975) is an American actor and producer. He portrayed Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) and Hernan "Shades" Alvarez in Luke Cage (2016–2018). In 2024, he portrayed Dr. Julian Rush on the HBO series The Penguin (2024). His film roles include Tino Hull in Red Sands (2009), Todd in Bad Hurt (2015), Francisco "Ghost" Alvarez in Lowriders (2017), Deuce in Vault (2019), and Youcef in Emily the Criminal (2022), the latter of which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Early life
Rossi was born in Staten Island, New York City. He is of Italian, Spanish, Lebanese, and Syrian descent.{{Cite news |date=2022 |title=Theo Rossi on Emily the Criminal |url=https://whynow.co.uk/read/theo-rossi-emily-the-criminal-interview |newspaper=Whynow}} Growing up, he loved to ride dirt bikes.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/theo-rossi/bio/273828 |title=Theo Rossi Biography |publisher=Tvguide.com |access-date=2013-12-05}} He has openly admitted to dealing drugs for years before moving to California.{{cite podcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWFlYTRlNjktYWY1MS00OTVlLWFmYzktYTk3NjAxNDY5MjJiLzI3MmQ2M2QwLTE0ZTItNGI3MC1hN2YwLWFiOTAwMTdlNzY2Mi85Y2ZkOThjYy1iZmZmLTRiOTQtOWE5MC1hYjkwMDE3ZTc2NzUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/OGE4NWQwOTktOTEzNC00YWNlLTk3OTQtYWQyYjAxNmE2NTM0|title=UFC 262 Recap, Beneil Dariush, Felicia Spencer, actor Theo Rossi, and co-host Phoenix Carnevale|host=Jim Norton|date=May 18, 2021}} He studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York, where he appeared in several theatre productions.{{cite web|url=http://theorossi.com/?page_id=33 |title=Biography |publisher= TheoRossi.com |date=2008-11-16 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130411230758/http://theorossi.com/?page_id=33 |archivedate=2013-04-11 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web| url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/Theo-Rossi-as-Jean-Carlos-Juice-Ortiz/tabid/1345/articleID/75204/Default.aspx |title=Theo Rossi (as Jean Carlos 'Juice' Ortiz) - Cast - Sons Of Anarchy - Shows |publisher=TV3 |access-date=2013-12-05}}
Career
Rossi played Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the FX series Sons of Anarchy. His production company, Dos Dudes Pictures, produced its first feature film in 2014, Bad Hurt, Rossi acting alongside Karen Allen and Michael Harney.{{Cite news|url=http://www.shockya.com/news/2015/05/30/tribeca-2015-interview-theo-rossi-talks-bad-hurt-exclusive/|title=Tribeca 2015 Interview: Theo Rossi Talks Bad Hurt (Exclusive)|date=2015-05-30|work=Shockya.com|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/sons-anarchy-star-theo-rossi-joins-caa-exclusive-184508562.html|title='Sons of Anarchy' Star Theo Rossi Joins CAA (Exclusive)|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US}}
Rossi has appeared in television shows such as The Penguin, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hawaii Five-O, Las Vegas, The Unit, Jericho, Bones, Without a Trace, Veronica Mars, NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami, Lie to Me and Lost. He has had recurring roles on Heist, American Dreams, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. His film credits include Cloverfield, Code Breakers, House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim, Red Sands, The Informers, Kill Theory, Fencewalker and Meth Head.
He played Hernan "Shades" Alvarez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Luke Cage from 2016 until 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/netflixs-luke-cage-adds-rosario-dawson-theo-rossi|title=Netflix's "Luke Cage" Adds Rosario Dawson, Theo Rossi|date=2 September 2015|access-date=2 September 2015|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306083848/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/netflixs-luke-cage-adds-rosario-dawson-theo-rossi|url-status=dead}}
In 2019, Rossi joined the Advisory Board of the Harlem Film House, which presents the Hip Hop Film Festival, an annual event that focuses on filmmakers from the global culture of hip hop, and promotes financial sustainability for independent filmmakers from marginalized communities.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=S. B. N.|date=2019-09-30|title=THEO ROSSI & BRUCE COHEN JOIN THE ADVISORY BOARD AT HARLEM FILM HOUSE|url=https://www.siliconbeachnews.org/theo-rossi-bruce-cohen-join-the-advisory-board-at-harlem-film-house/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212128/https://www.siliconbeachnews.org/theo-rossi-bruce-cohen-join-the-advisory-board-at-harlem-film-house/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 20, 2021|access-date=2021-09-19|website=Silicon Beach News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=House|first=Harlem Film|date=2019-09-17|title=THEO ROSSI & BRUCE COHEN JOIN THE ADVISORY BOARD AT HARLEM FILM HOUSE|url=https://harlemfilmhouse.medium.com/theo-rossi-bruce-cohen-join-the-advisory-board-at-harlem-film-house-f79adab2b92c|access-date=2021-09-19|website=Medium|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-12-27|title=Harlem Film House Our Team|url=https://harlemfilmhouse.org/thecrew/|access-date=2021-09-19|website=Harlem Film House|language=en-US}}
Philanthropy
Rossi gets involved with the men and women of the military, with fellow Sons of Anarchy actors Kim Coates, Dayton Callie and Ron Perlman.{{cite web| url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9505150.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522000709/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9505150.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 22, 2012 |title='Sons of Anarchy's' Ron Perlman, Theo Rossi and Dayton Callie Drop in on Marines and their Families Stationed in California on USO Tour |publisher=PRweb.com |access-date=2013-12-05}} An Ambassador to the Boot Campaign, Rossi works with multiple organizations that raise money for wounded soldiers and those returning with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).{{cite web |url=http://www.bootcampaign.com/about/ |title=About |publisher=Boot Campaign |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-date=2016-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105192422/http://www.bootcampaign.com/about/ |url-status=dead }} Throughout the off-season, Rossi has often traveled to different bases to visit US military personnel. He has helped to organize the yearly Boot Ride event that benefits the Boot Campaign, giving fans a chance to spend a day riding with the Sons of Anarchy cast while raising money for U.S. military veterans.
Shortly after Hurricane Sandy hit Staten Island, Rossi, with friends and family, founded Staten Strong, a program administered by the Boot Campaign.{{cite web |first=Bree |last=Driscoll |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/179574/actor-s--staten-strong--effort-helps-fuel-recovery |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630013430/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/179574/actor-s--staten-strong--effort-helps-fuel-recovery |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |title=Actor's 'Staten Strong' Effort Helps Fuel Recovery |publisher=NY1 |date=29 March 2013 |access-date=2013-12-05 }}{{cite web| url= http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20392360/theo-rossi-staten-strong |title=Theo Rossi 'Staten Strong' - New York News |publisher=Myfoxny.com |access-date=2013-12-05}} Staten Strong rebuilt three homes for Hurricane Sandy victims on Staten Island.{{cite web|first= Carol Ann | last= Benanti |url= http://blog.silive.com/inside_out_column/2013/03/staten_island_charity_rebuilds_for_hurricane_sandy_victim.html |title=StatenStrong 'angels' rebuild home for Staten Island Sandy victim |publisher=Blog.SILive.com |date= 8 March 2013 |access-date=2013-12-05}}
He supports animal welfare and launched a campaign with The Humane Society of the United States to protect street dogs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hsi.org/news/press_releases/2014/09/theo_rossi_street_dogs_090414.html |title=Sons of Anarchy Star Theo Rossi Launches Campaign to Protect Street Dogs |publisher=Humane Society International|language=en|access-date=2017-10-20}} He appeared in a PETA ad promoting pet adoption.Leanne Aciz Stanton, [https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/theo-rossi-teams-up-with-peta-to-encourage-pet-adoption/ "Theo Rossi and His Rescue Dog Benito Team Up With PETA to Encourage Pet Adoption"]. Us Weekly, 19 September 2018.
Personal life
Rossi resides in Austin, Texas. He consumes a "mostly plant-based diet" and occasionally consumes eggs.[https://web.archive.org/web/20231205011510/https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2023-03-03/the-crawl-almost-vegan-food-crawl-emily-the-criminal-theo-rossi "An almost vegan food crawl with Theo Rossi, ‘Emily the Criminal’ star and hummus traditionalist"]. latimes.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023. He is married to Meghan McDermott. The couple's first child was born in 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/theo-rossi-and-wife-meghan-mcdermott-welcome-a-baby-boy-201586|title=Theo Rossi and Wife Meghan McDermott Welcome a Baby Boy!|date=8 June 2015}} and their second in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://people.com/babies/theo-rossi-welcomes-son-arlo-benjamin/|title=A Second Son! Theo Rossi and Wife Meghan Welcome Arlo Benjamin}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001
| The Myersons | Montilli | rowspan="8" | |
| 2003
| Anthony |
| 2004
| Buds for Life | Teddy |
| 2005
| Greg Berlin |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| Antonio |
| Kill Theory
| Carlos |
| rowspan="3" | 2009
| Spaz |
| Red Sands
| Pfc. Tino Hull |
| Space
| Mike | Short film |
| 2013
| Meth Head | Carlos | |
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| Bad Hurt | Todd | Also producer; |
| When the Bough Breaks
| Mike Mitchell | |
| 2017
| Francisco “Ghost” Alvarez | Nominated – Imagen Award for Best Actor - Feature Film |
| rowspan="3" | 2019
| Vault | Deuce | rowspan="5" | |
| American Skin
| Officer Dominic Reyes |
| Rattlesnake
| Billy |
| 2020
| Kirk |
| 2021
| Burt Cummings |
| rowspan="4" | 2022
| Youcef | Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance |
| Escape the Field
| Tyler | rowspan="6" | |
| Vendetta
|Rory Fetter |
| Dear Zoe
|Nick DeNunzio |
| 2023
|Danny D. |
| rowspan="2" |2024
|Ramos |
| Carry-On
| The Watcher |
| rowspan="2" |{{TableTBA}}
| Come With Me[https://deadline.com/2024/09/theo-rossi-penguin-come-with-me-1236103746/ ‘The Penguin’ Star Theo Rossi Boards Aaron Harvey’s ‘Come With Me’ As Star & EP] | Simon Ward | Post-production |
| The Saviors
| {{TableTBA}} | Post-production |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001–2002
| Brandon Webber | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2002
| Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie | The Mook | Television film |
| Malcolm in the Middle
| Senior | Episode: "Humilithon" |
| rowspan="3" | 2004
| Pete Amici | Episode: "Chatty Chatty Bang Bang" |
| Medical Investigation
| Joe Vasquez | Episode: "Coming Home" |
| American Dreams
| Bobby Santos | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3" | 2005
| Eric Fitzgerald | Episode: "Rub a Tub Tub" |
| Veronica Mars
| Norris Clayton | Episode: "Weapons of Class Destruction" |
| Code Breakers
| Desantis | Television film |
| rowspan="7" | 2006
| Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well | Antonio Ruiz | Television film |
| Without a Trace
| Corey Williams | Episode: "Odds or Evens" |
| Lost
| Sgt. Buccelli | Episode: "One of Them" |
| Heist
| Vinny Momo | 2 episodes |
| The Unit
| Mike | Episode: "Unannounced" |
| Bones
| Nick Arno | Episode: "The Woman in the Sand" |
| Jericho
| Randy Payton | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="4" | 2007
| Nurses | | Unsold Pilot |
| Shark
| Danny Vargas | Episode: "Here Comes the Judge" |
| Las Vegas
| Jason Scott | 2 episodes |
| Grey's Anatomy
| Stan Giamatti | 2 episodes |
| 2008–2014
| Main role; 85 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Lieutenant Dietze | 2 episodes |
| CSI: Miami
| Jimmy Castigan | Episode: "Dissolved" |
| 2010
| Officer Tressler | Episode: "Teacher and Pupils" |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| Sal Painter | Episode: "Mai Ka Wa Kahiko" |
| Alcatraz
| Sonny Burnett | 2 episodes |
| 2013
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Enrique Rodriguez | Episode: "Presumed Guilty" |
| 2016–2018
| Main role; 23 episodes |
| 2021
| Gene | 6 episodes |
| 2022
| Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi | Senator Larik (voice) | Episode: "Choices" |
| 2024
| Dr. Julian Rush | 6 episodes |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Theo Rossi}}
- {{IMDb name|744331}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rossi, Theo}}
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Male actors from Staten Island
Category:University at Albany, SUNY alumni
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:American people of Spanish descent
Category:American people of Lebanese descent