John Gallagher Jr.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
John Howard Gallagher Jr. was born on June 17, 1984, in Wilmington, Delaware. Raised in a family of folk musicians, Gallagher inherited a love for music, performing in various bands and eventually transitioning into acting. Notably, he played Tom Sawyer at the Delaware Children's Theatre and was part of the folk-rock group Old Springs Pike before their transition to the Spring Standards.
Breakthrough in Theatre
Gallagher's acting career took a significant turn when he originated the role of Moritz Stiefel in the rock musical Spring Awakening, earning him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. His Broadway journey continued with roles in American Idiot, Jerusalem, and Long Day's Journey Into Night.
Television and Film Career
On television, Gallagher starred as Jim Harper in Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and appeared in the HBO mini-series Olive Kitteridge. His filmography includes roles in Pieces of April, Whatever Works, Jonah Hex, and a lead role in Short Term 12. In 2016, he starred in the thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane and the horror-thriller film Hush. More recently, Gallagher featured in The Miseducation of Cameron Post and played Liam Dempsey Jr. in season 3 of Westworld.