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Jonathan Roumie

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Jonathan Roumie
Roumie in January 2020
Born (1974-07-01) July 1, 1974 (age 50)
New York City, New York, USA
EducationSchool of Visual Arts (BFA)
OccupationActor
Known forThe Chosen (TV series)
AwardsGrace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV, Movieguide

Jonathan Roumie (born July 1, 1974) is an American actor known for his role as evangelist Lonnie Frisbee in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution and as Jesus in The Chosen,[1][2] a crowd-funded television series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.[3][4] He is also a voice artist and a public speaker.

Early life

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A first-generation American, Roumie's father was born in Egypt and is of Syro-Lebanese descent; his mother is from Ireland.[5][6][7] Roumie has stated that his great-grandparents on his fathers side were Armenian.[8]

Before his parents moved to and later met in New York City, Roumie's mother was raised on a farm in Ireland with his father being raised in Cairo, Egypt.[9] Though he was baptized in the Orthodox Church, Roumie converted to Catholicism after moving from New York to its suburbs.[10] He holds a degree in film from the School of Visual Arts.[6] In 2024, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts by the Catholic University of America for his work evangelizing through his acting career.[11]

After graduating from college, Roumie played drums in his friend's contemporary rock band. The band had recorded an album and were due to go on tour but the recording company sponsoring the tour went bankrupt. Shortly after, Roumie moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television.[12]

Career

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Roumie has appeared in television shows such as The Good Wife, As the World Turns, and Castle. He played the character of Christ for the first time in a touring multi-media project about the life of St. Faustina called Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy[13] and subsequently in 'Once we were Slaves/The Two Thieves'. Roumie is also the co-producer, co-director and lead actor of The Last Days: The Passion and Death of Jesus, a live performance about the passion of Christ.[14] He portrayed charismatic hippie evangelist Lonnie Frisbee in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution.[15]

Roumie's voice-over work includes the video games Evolve, Mafia II & III, The Darkness II and Fallout 4. He has voiced several characters in the MTV series Celebrity Deathmatch.[16]

Roumie started as a production assistant and was the location scout for Spider-Man, National Treasure and I Am Legend.[17] His first original song, "Outta Time", was released in Europe for the album Unbreakable, which he co-produced.[18][better source needed]

At one time, Roumie was involved in an entertainment fellowship for Christian entertainment professionals.[6]

He also serves as a narrator for the Catholic prayer app Hallow.[19] Jonathan Roumie appeared on the app Hallow Super Bowl 2024 commercial in which caused a huge spike of downloads of the app Hallow.[20]

Roumie is also a public speaker. He was a keynote speaker at March For Life.[21] He also was one of the revival session speakers at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress 2024[22] with over 55,000 participants in attendance.

The Chosen

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The Chosen – Jesus heals a leper in Season 1, Episode 6

Previous to being offered the role of Jesus Christ in 2017 for what was then a new television series, The Chosen, Roumie states he had reached a point on his life where he had completely surrendered himself to God. About that period of his life he says: "I was literally in a pit and God sort of lent a hand and brought me out of the pit. I was broke. I was in debt. I had enough food for the day to last a day."[23]

Now known worldwide for portraying Jesus in the series,[24] Roumie has been featured in numerous publications, including TV Guide, the National Catholic Register,[10] America Magazine,[25] and The Atlantic,[26] and The New Yorker.[27] He has also been interviewed on network television for shows such as The View,[28] Fox News,[29] EWTN,[29] and various religious-based news and information outlets.

Regarding the challenges of portraying Jesus, Roumie has said, "Very often, I don't feel worthy of playing Jesus. I struggle with that a lot. But I also acknowledge what God has done for my life as a result of playing Christ and how God has changed my life."[30]

Personal life

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Roumie has been a ministry leader and has served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion within the Catholic Church.[6] He is a strong advocate of the sacraments, ecumenism, humility, and charity.[31] He serves on the board of Catholics in Media Associates.[32] In 2020, he was nominated for a papal knighthood, the Order of St. Gregory the Great.[33] He was also named one of Aleteia's "10 Catholics who restored our faith in humanity" in 2021 and made it onto Our Sunday Visitor's list of Catholics of the Year in 2022.[34][32] He opposes abortion. A keynote speaker at the 2023 March for Life, Roumie told participants, "God is love, and true love gives way to life, not death."[35]

As of 2022, Roumie was residing in Los Angeles.[36]

Roumie can be found hosting live prayers on Instagram, some of which have been viewed nearly 100,000 times.[37] He prays the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.[12]

Roumie is a talented illustrator, and won awards in high school for this work.[9]

In 2022, Roumie did an Instagram live stream on his official Instagram to debunk the false rumors that he is married and has children.[38] Roumie stated on his live stream that he never has been married nor does he have children.[38]

Awards

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2020 Movieguide Awards Grace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV The Chosen, Episode 1.8 – "I am He" Won [39]
2022 Movieguide Awards Grace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV The Chosen, Episode 2.8 – "Beyond Mountains" Nominated [40]
2023 Movieguide Awards Grace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV The Chosen, Episode 3.3 – "Physician, Heal Yourself" Nominated [41]
2024 GMA Dove Award TV Series of the Year Jonathan and Jesus (TV series) Nominated [42]
2024 K-Love Fan Awards TV/Streaming Impact Jonathan and Jesus (TV series) Won [43]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Name Role Ref Notes
2000–2002 Celebrity Deathmatch Various Voice only
2006 Oh! Be Joyful! Jim James Television film, also executive producer and writer
2007 As the World Turns Jim Fellows [44] 6 episodes
2008 Law & Order Richie Citrone Episode: "Excalibur"
In the Now Jonathan 5 episodes
2009–2010 Wonder Pets! Loch Ness Daddy, Critic #2 2 episodes, Uncredited as Critic #2
2010 3rd & Bird French Crab Episode: "Ahoy!"
Roomies Sam's Date, Answering Machine Television film
2011 All My Children Guy #1
2012 Parenthood Cop [44] Episode: "Everything Is Not Okay"
2013 Joe, Joe & Jane Waiter Television film
2014 Castle Serge Belmonde [45] Episode: "Dressed to Kill"
Hart of Dixie Jeffrey [44] Episode: "Carrying Your Love with Me"
NCIS Officer Gerard [44] Episode: "The Admiral's Daughter"
Interns Felix [46]
Preying for Mercy Dominic Capistrano Television film
The Newsroom Bartender [44] Episode: "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
2015 Dog with a Blog Dr. Monfore Episode: "Stan Has Puppies"
Ridin' with Burgess Raddigan, Theater Guy Television short
NCIS: Los Angeles Perry Gaffney [45] Episode: "Defectors"
2016 The Good Wife Monte Ecklund [45] Episode: "Shoot"
2017 The Mindy Project Dr. Montpellier [44] Episode: "Danny in Real Life"
2019 Ballers Splyce Owner [44] Episode: "Players Only"
2020 Chicago Med Christian Edwards [47] Episode: "A Needle in the Heart"
2019–present The Chosen Jesus [48][49] Main cast (32 episodes)

Film

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Year Name Role Ref Notes
2001 Be My Brother Undercover Cop Short
2005 Prime Bakery Counterman [45]
2007 West 32nd Lloyd [50]
Then She Found Me Partygoer Uncredited
2008 Revolutionary Road Party Guest [51]
2012 K-11 Rookie Stewart [45]
2013 Saving Lincoln John Wilkes Booth [50]
A Day In The Country Hal [52] Short; Canon Imagin8tion Contest Winner
Half-Life: Raise the Bar Gordon Freeman Short
Lunar Control Short; Voice only
Another Man Josh Short
2014 Once We Were Slaves Jesus [6] Short; Renamed The Two Thieves
Cinderella Pose Jesse Short
You & I, My Dear Ken [53] Short
2015 Nostradamus Radio Voice Short
The Funeral Guest Luke
2016 Trunk Nate Short
Let It Bleed The Sadist [48]
Dead Bullet Viktor [45]
2017 Life Hack Greg Scheckler
2018 Last Kiss Narrator Short
2020 Reality Queen! TV Assistant
2021 Washingtonia Voice only
2022 Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again Merenkhare [54] Voice only
2023 Jesus Revolution Lonnie Frisbee [55]

Video games

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Year Name Role Notes
2003 Batman: Dark Tomorrow Tim Drake / Robin, Robber #1, Guard, False-facer
2010 Mafia II Italian Civilian, Gangster, Greaser
2012 The Darkness II Enzo, Additional Voices
2013 The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Asaru, Dr. Murphy, Pete Weaver
Lost Planet 3 Renard Laroche
2015 Evolve Additional Voices
Fallout 4 Jack Cabot, Doc Weathers, Honest Dan
2016 XCOM 2 Soldier, Additional Voices
Mafia III Additional Voices
2017 Agents of Mayhem Pride Trooper
2018 God of War Additional Voices
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Various Voices
2019 Days Gone Russell
Death Stranding Mules
2020 Ghost of Tsushima Additional Characters
2022 Saints Row Character Voices, Saints Characters
2025 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Puppet

Theatre

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Year Name Role Ref
2012 Anaconda (*Best of Hollywood Fringe – 2012) Phil Becker
2013 Trainspotting Sick Boy [56]

References

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  1. ^ Aguantia, Ruth (2021-02-09). "'The Chosen', A Show Depicting Jesus' Life Now Airing On National TV Via TBN". Christianity Daily. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  2. ^ Wehner, Peter (2020-12-24). "Opinion | The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus Christ". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  3. ^ Young, Julius (2021-04-01). "'The Chosen' star Jonathan Roumie says Season 2 will blow fans away: It's 'next level'". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  4. ^ Day, Nate (2020-02-23). "'The Chosen' star Jonathan Roumie on playing Jesus: It 'made me a better version of myself'". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  5. ^ "Who Plays Jesus in The Chosen?". thechosen.tv. Come and See Foundation, Inc. 1 September 2023. His father is Syro-Lebanese and his mother is Irish.
  6. ^ a b c d e Christenson, Ann (25 May 2016). "Act the part: Jonathan Roumie as Jesus". U.S. Catholic.
  7. ^ "Actor in 'The Chosen' Hopes to Lead People 'to Christ in Some Way'". NCR. 2020-05-04. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  8. ^ Tovmasyan, Ruzanna (January 11, 2024). "Meeting Jonathan Roumie and sharing about what happened to Armenians in Artsakh". youtube.com. RUZANNA TOVMASYAN.
  9. ^ a b Cardall, Paul. "The Chosen: Jonathan Roumie on becoming Jesus". All Heart with Paul Cardall. Simplecast. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b Dail, Bree (4 May 2020). "Actor in 'The Chosen' Hopes to Lead People 'to Christ in Some Way'". National Catholic Register.
  11. ^ "'The Chosen' Star Jonathan Roumie Urges Catholic University Grads to Emulate Christ". NCR. 2024-05-12. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  12. ^ a b Bowse, Kelsey Marie. "Jonathan Roumie: I First Portrayed Jesus in My Long Island Backyard". Ekstasis. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  13. ^ "Catholic actors bring live 'Passion of the Christ' to central Los Angeles | Angelus News". 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  14. ^ Graves, Jim (18 April 2019). "Passion Play: A Triduum Tradition". National Catholic Register.
  15. ^ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (2023-03-02). "Jonathan Roumie says 'all glory to God' as 'Jesus Revolution' continues to exceed expectations". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  16. ^ "Celebrity Deathmatch: Season 3 : Battle of the Heavy Metal Headbangers : Credits and Details". The Movies Made Me Do It. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  17. ^ Castellano Lubov, Deborah (26 August 2021). "'A Childhood Dream Come True' — 'The Chosen's' Jesus, Jonathan Roumie, on His Time with Pope Francis". Exaudi Catholic News.
  18. ^ "MUSIC". jonathanroumie. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  19. ^ Register, Quinton Amundson, The Catholic. "Hollywood heavy hitters push Hallow higher". www.catholicregister.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Notheis, Asher (2024-02-14). "Mark Wahlberg and The Chosen's Jonathan Roumie praise success of Hallow prayer app Mark Wahlberg and The Chosen's Jonathan Roumie praise success of Hallow prayer app - Washington Examiner". Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  21. ^ CNA. "Jonathan Roumie: Pro-life advocacy the 'worthiest and noblest cause possible'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  22. ^ "10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis begins". Fox 59. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  23. ^ "Jonathan Roumie from 'The Chosen' explains how he came to play the role of Jesus". Diario AS. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  24. ^ Ferrara, Tim. "How Jonathan Roumie Stewards the Role of Jesus in 'The Chosen'". Charisma. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  25. ^ Mangano, Mary Grace (2021-07-02). "'The Chosen' is the Jesus TV show your very Catholic aunt keeps telling you to watch. And you should". America Magazine. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  26. ^ DeVille, Chris (27 June 2021). "Christian America's Must-See TV Show". The Atlantic.
  27. ^ Jacobs, Gideon (2023-07-31). "Jesus Walks Into a Deli". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  28. ^ "Video Jonathan Roumie discusses portraying an 'authentic' Jesus in series 'The Chosen'". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  29. ^ a b Mackey, Maureen (2023-12-04). "Jonathan Roumie on faith and prayer life during Advent and always: 'God hasn't forsaken us'". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  30. ^ Harrison Warren, Tish (April 2, 2023). "He's Not Jesus, but He Plays Him on TV". The New York Times.
  31. ^ Excerpt from Alpha Leadership Conference LC2022 - the Jonathan Roumie Interview, retrieved 2022-12-22
  32. ^ a b "Meet Our Sunday Visitor's Catholics of the Year". Our Sunday Visitor. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  33. ^ "Made in His Image: Coffee Conversations #13 w/ Jonathan Roumie". Empower Philippines. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  34. ^ "10 Catholics who restored our faith in humanity in 2021". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  35. ^ McKeown, Jonah (2023-01-20). "Jonathan Roumie: Pro-life advocacy the 'worthiest and noblest cause possible'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  36. ^ Hume, Ashley (2022-12-16). "'The Chosen' star Jonathan Roumie and creator Dallas Jenkins on how faith turned their lives around". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  37. ^ Post, Kathryn (2023-03-03). "How 'The Chosen' star Jonathan Roumie became a poster child for Christian causes". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  38. ^ a b "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  39. ^ Guy, Sarah (2020-02-24). "Movieguide Awards 2020: When To Watch, Nominees, Hosts Of Hallmark Drama Program". International Business Times. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  40. ^ "THE CHOSEN, THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING, Jonathan Roumie, Zachary Levi Among Movieguide® Award Nominees". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  41. ^ Low, James (2023-01-13). "2023 Movieguide Awards Nominations". Movieguide® Awards. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  42. ^ "GMA Dove Awards 2024 Nominees Announced". Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  43. ^ Williams, Lindsay. "'Jonathan & Jesus' Wins Inaugural TV/Streaming Impact Award at 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards". Positive Encouraging K-LOVE. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g "Jonathan Roumie | TVmaze". www.tvmaze.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  45. ^ a b c d e f "Jonathan Roumie". TV Guide. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  46. ^ Peter Gets Salmon'd Featuring Gabrielle Reece | Interns | L StudioL/Studio created by Lexus, retrieved 2021-09-14
  47. ^ Thomas, Shain E. (2020-04-17). "'Chicago Med': S05.E20. "A Needle in the Heart"". Medium. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  48. ^ a b "Rotten Tomatoes: Movies | TV Shows | Movie Trailers | Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  49. ^ "Here's how — and when — 'The Chosen' will release the first two episodes of Season 3". Deseret News. 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  50. ^ a b "Jonathan Roumie". tcm.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  51. ^ Green, Josie. "Best Movies Starring Leonardo DiCaprio". MSN. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  52. ^ "FILMS". kalmanapple. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  53. ^ "You & I, My Dear". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  54. ^ "Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again". Plex. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  55. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2022-02-18). "Kelsey Grammer Joins Lionsgate's 'Jesus Revolution'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  56. ^ Gruber, Xaque (2013-05-06). "Trainspotting at the Elephant Theatre: Daring, Gritty and Heartbreaking". HuffPost. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
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