Jonathan Roumie
Roumie in January 2020
Born (1974-07-01) July 1, 1974
New York City, New York, USA
EducationSchool of Visual Arts NYC (BFA)
OccupationActor
Known forPerforming as Jesus in The Chosen
AwardsGrace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV, Movieguide

Jonathan Roumie (born July 1, 1974) is an American actor best known for his role 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.

Early life

Roumie's father was a first-generation born in Egypt of Syro-Lebanese origin,[5] and his mother is Irish.[6] In the Ottoman Empire, many Lebanese emigrants were classified as Syrian due to Mount Lebanon being a state in Ottoman Syria. The name 'Roumie' originates from Lebanon, specifically the town of Roumieh. Therefore, with the migration of Syro-Lebanese to Egypt, it is historically associated with Roumie having Lebanese origins.

Before meeting in New York City, Roumie's mother was raised on a farm in Ireland and his father was raised in Cairo, Egypt.[7] Roumie is a practicing Catholic; while he was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church, Roumie converted to Roman Catholicism after moving from New York to its suburbs.[8] He holds a degree in film from the School of Visual Arts.[6]

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.[9]

Career

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[10] 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.[11] He portrayed evangelist Lonnie Frisbee in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution.[12]

Roumie's voice-over work includes the video games Evolve, Mafia II & III, and The Darkness II. He has voiced several characters in the MTV series Celebrity Deathmatch.[13]

Roumie started as a production assistant and was the location scout for Spider-Man, National Treasure and I Am Legend.[14] His first original song, "Outta Time", was released in Europe for the album Unbreakable, which he co-produced.[15]

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.[16]

The Chosen

The Chosen – Jesus touches the Leper

Right before Roumie was offered the opportunity to play the role of Jesus Christ, he had reached the point on his journey where he surrendered his life to God, 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."[17]

Now known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in The Chosen,[18] Roumie has been featured in the National Catholic Register,[8] America Magazine,[19]The Atlantic,[20] and The Irish Times.[21]

Regarding the challenges of portraying Jesus Christ, Roumie 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."[22]

Personal life

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.[23] He serves on the board of Catholics in Media Associates.[24] In 2020, he was nominated for a Papal knighthood, the Order of St. Gregory the Great.[25] 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.[26][24] He opposes abortion.[27] Roumie has been a keynote speaker at March For Life.[28]

As of 2022, Roumie was residing in Los Angeles.[29]

Roumie can be found hosting live prayers on Instagram, some of which have been viewed nearly 100,000 times.[30] He prays the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.[9]

Roumie is a talented illustrator, and won awards in high school for this work.[7]

Awards

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 [31]
2022 Movieguide Awards Grace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV The Chosen, Episode 2.8 – "Beyond Mountains" Nominated [32]
2023 Movieguide Awards Grace Prize for Most Inspiring Performance for TV The Chosen, Episode 3.3 – "Physician, Heal Yourself" Nominated [33]

Filmography

Television

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 [34] 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 [34] Episode: "Everything Is Not Okay"
2013 Joe, Joe & Jane Waiter Television film
2014 Castle Serge Belmonde [35] Episode: "Dressed to Kill"
Hart of Dixie Jeffrey [34] Episode: "Carrying Your Love with Me"
NCIS Officer Gerard [34] Episode: "The Admiral's Daughter"
Interns Felix [36]
Preying for Mercy Dominic Capistrano Television film
The Newsroom Bartender [34] 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 [35] Episode: "Defectors"
2016 The Good Wife Monte Ecklund [35] Episode: "Shoot"
2017 The Mindy Project Dr. Montpellier [34] Episode: "Danny in Real Life"
2019 Ballers Splyce Owner [34] Episode: "Players Only"
2020 Chicago Med Christian Edwards [37] Episode: "A Needle in the Heart"
2019–present The Chosen Jesus [38][39] Main cast (24 episodes)

Film

Year Name Role Ref Notes
2001 Be My Brother Undercover Cop Short
2005 Prime Bakery Counterman [35]
2007 West 32nd Lloyd [40]
Then She Found Me Partygoer Uncredited
2008 Revolutionary Road Party Guest [41]
2012 K-11 Rookie Stewart [35]
2013 Saving Lincoln John Wilkes Booth [40]
A Day In The Country Hal [42] 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 [43] Short
2015 Nostradamus Radio Voice Short
The Funeral Guest Luke
2016 Trunk Nate Short
Let It Bleed The Sadist [38]
Dead Bullet Viktor [35]
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 [44] Voice only
2023 Jesus Revolution Lonnie Frisbee [45]

Video game

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

Theatre

Year Name Role Ref
2012 Anaconda (*Best of Hollywood Fringe – 2012) Phil Becker
2013 Trainspotting Sick Boy [46]

References

  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. ↑ "Actor in 'The Chosen' Hopes to Lead People 'to Christ in Some Way' | National Catholic Register".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Christenson, Ann (25 May 2016). "Act the part: Jonathan Roumie as Jesus". U.S. Catholic.
  7. 1 2 Cardall, Paul. "The Chosen: Jonathan Roumie on becoming Jesus". All Heart with Paul Cardall. Simplecast. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. 1 2 Dail, Bree (4 May 2020). "Actor in 'The Chosen' Hopes to Lead People 'to Christ in Some Way'". National Catholic Register.
  9. 1 2 Bowse, Kelsey Marie. "Jonathan Roumie: I First Portrayed Jesus in My Long Island Backyard". Ekstasis. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  10. ↑ "Catholic actors bring live 'Passion of the Christ' to central Los Angeles | Angelus News". 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  11. ↑ Graves, Jim (18 April 2019). "Passion Play: A Triduum Tradition". National Catholic Register.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "Celebrity Deathmatch: Season 3 : Battle of the Heavy Metal Headbangers : Credits and Details". The Movies Made Me Do It. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "MUSIC". jonathanroumie. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  16. ↑ 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)
  17. ↑ "Jonathan Roumie from 'The Chosen' explains how he came to play the role of Jesus". Diario AS. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  18. ↑ Ferrara, Tim. "How Jonathan Roumie Stewards the Role of Jesus in 'The Chosen'". Charisma. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ DeVille, Chris (27 June 2021). "Christian America's Must-See TV Show". The Atlantic.
  21. ↑ O'Brien, Breda. "Breda O'Brien: Crowdfunding creates excellent Christian series". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  22. ↑ Harrison Warren, Tish (April 2, 2023). "He's Not Jesus, but He Plays Him on TV". The New York Times.
  23. ↑ Excerpt from Alpha Leadership Conference LC2022 - the Jonathan Roumie Interview, retrieved 2022-12-22
  24. 1 2 "Meet Our Sunday Visitor's Catholics of the Year". Our Sunday Visitor. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  25. ↑ "Made in His Image: Coffee Conversations #13 w/ Jonathan Roumie". Empower Philippines. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ McKeown, Jonah (2023-01-20). "Jonathan Roumie: Pro-life advocacy the 'worthiest and noblest cause possible'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  28. ↑ CNA. "Jonathan Roumie: Pro-life advocacy the 'worthiest and noblest cause possible'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ Guy, Sarah (2020-02-24). "Movieguide Awards 2020: When To Watch, Nominees, Hosts Of Hallmark Drama Program". International Business Times. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  32. ↑ "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.
  33. ↑ Low, James (2023-01-13). "2023 Movieguide Awards Nominations". Movieguide® Awards. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Jonathan Roumie | TVmaze". www.tvmaze.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jonathan Roumie". TV Guide. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  36. ↑ Peter Gets Salmon'd Featuring Gabrielle Reece | Interns | L StudioL/Studio created by Lexus, retrieved 2021-09-14
  37. ↑ Thomas, Shain E. (2020-04-17). "'Chicago Med': S05.E20. "A Needle in the Heart"". Medium. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  38. 1 2 "Rotten Tomatoes: Movies | TV Shows | Movie Trailers | Reviews – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  39. ↑ "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.
  40. 1 2 "Jonathan Roumie". tcm.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  41. ↑ Green, Josie. "Best Movies Starring Leonardo DiCaprio". MSN. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  42. ↑ "FILMS". kalmanapple. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  43. ↑ "You & I, My Dear". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  44. ↑ "Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again". Plex. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  45. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2022-02-18). "Kelsey Grammer Joins Lionsgate's 'Jesus Revolution'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  46. ↑ Gruber, Xaque (2013-05-06). "Trainspotting at the Elephant Theatre: Daring, Gritty and Heartbreaking". HuffPost. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
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