Chris Messina
Biography
Christopher Messina, born Christopher Messina on August 11, 1974, in New York City, New York, United States, is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. Known for his work in both television and film, he has accumulated seventy-six known acting credits. In television, he is best known for starring as Danny Castellano in the series The Mindy Project, a role that earned him two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. His film appearances include Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Julie and Julia, Devil, Argo, Ruby Sparks, Celeste and Jesse Forever, Cake, Birds of Prey, I Care a Lot, Call Jane, Air, and The Boogeyman. Additionally, he wrote, executive produced, and starred in the comedy film Fairhaven.
Career overview
Christopher Messina is an American actor, director, writer, and producer who was born on August 11, 1974, in New York City, New York. He is best known for starring as Danny Castellano in the television series The Mindy Project, which aired from 2012 to 2017. His performance in the series earned him two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
In addition to his television work, Messina has appeared in numerous feature films. His film credits include Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2008, Julie and Julia in 2009, Devil in 2010, and Argo, Ruby Sparks, and Celeste and Jesse Forever, all released in 2012. He further expanded his filmography with roles in Cake in 2014, Birds of Prey and I Care a Lot in 2020, Call Jane in 2022, and Air and The Boogeyman in 2023.
Beyond acting in other projects, Messina took on multiple creative roles for the 2012 comedy film Fairhaven, in which he wrote, executive produced, and starred. He has accumulated 76 known acting credits throughout his career in film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
81 titles- Pressure (2026) as Irving Krick
- I.S.S. (2024) as Gordon Barrett
- Juror #2 (2024) as Eric Resnick
- Based on a True Story (2023) as Nathan Bartlett
- Air (2023) as David Falk
- The Boogeyman (2023) as Will Harper
- Dreamin' Wild (2023) as Matt Sullivan
- Gaslit (2022) as Angelo Lano
- Call Jane (2022) as Will
- The Aviary (2022) as Seth
- I Care a Lot (2021) as Dean Ericson
- Love Is Love Is Love (2021) as Jack (segment "Two for Dinner")
- Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020) as Victor Zsasz
- She Dies Tomorrow (2020) as Jason
- The Secrets We Keep (2020) as Lewis
- Light of My Life (2019) Thanks
- Zeroville (2019) as Brian De Palma
- The True Adventures of Wolfboy (2019) as Denny
- Sharp Objects (2018) as Richard Willis
- Blame (2018) as Jeremy Woods
- Too Long at the Fair (2018) as Lee
- The Sweet Life (2017) as Kenny
- Live by Night (2016) as Dion Bartolo
- Ordinary World (2016) as Jake
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self - Guest
- Alex of Venice (2015) as George
- Alex of Venice (2015) Director
- Manglehorn (2015) as Jacob
- OM CITY (2015) as Joseph
- Digging for Fire (2015) as Tango
- Off Camera with Sam Jones (2014) as Self
- Cake (2014) as Jason Bennett
- Palo Alto (2014) as Mitch
- Showing Up (2014) as Self
- The Oven (2014) as Narrator
- The Mindy Project: Cast and Creators Live at PALEYFEST 2014 (2014) as Self
- Fairhaven (2013) as Dave
- Fairhaven (2013) Executive Producer
- The Mindy Project (2012) as Dr. Danny Castellano
- The Newsroom (2012) as Reese Lansing
- Argo (2012) as Malinov
- Ruby Sparks (2012) as Harry
- Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012) as Paul
- The Giant Mechanical Man (2012) as Tim
- 28 Hotel Rooms (2012) as Man
- 28 Hotel Rooms (2012) Executive Producer
- Denise (2012) as Brad
- Like Crazy (2011) as Mike Appletree
- The Trouble with Bliss (2011) as NJ
- Devil (2010) as Detective Bowden
- An Invisible Sign (2010) as Ben Smith
- Greenberg (2010) as Phillip Greenberg
- Monogamy (2010) as Theo
- Julie & Julia (2009) as Eric Powell
- Away We Go (2009) as Tom
- Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009) as Subject #19
- Anatomy of Hope (2009) as Dr. Gary Caplan
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) as Doug
- Made of Honor (2008) as Dennis
- Towelhead (2008) as Barry
- Humboldt County (2008) as Max
- Damages (2007) as Chris Sanchez
- Security (2007) as Zelly
- Ira & Abby (2006) as Ira Black
- Medium (2005) as Casey Edward Frank
- Made in Hollywood (2005) as Self
- Road (2005) as Larry
- Six Feet Under (2001) as Ted Fairwell
- Turn It Up (2000) as Baz
- Third Watch (1999) as Charlie
- You've Got Mail (1998) as Fox Salesperson
- Rounders (1998) as Higgins
- The Siege (1998) as Corporal
- The View (1997) as Self
- Law & Order (1990) as Tommy Bell
- Law & Order (1990) as Kevin Turner
- Law & Order (1990) as Don Cushman
- Tumor
- We're Just Married
- Lear Rex as Cornwall
- Hellhound
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Chris Messina best known for?
Chris Messina is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pressure (2026), I.S.S. (2024), Juror #2 (2024), Air (2023).
When and where was Chris Messina born?
Chris Messina was born on August 11, 1974 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Chris Messina have?
Chris Messina has accumulated over 81 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1990 to 2026.
What is Chris Messina's background in cinema and television?
Christopher Messina, born Christopher Messina on August 11, 1974, in New York City, New York, United States, is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. Known for his work in both television and film, he has accumulated seventy-six known acting credits. In television, he is best known for starring as Danny Ca...