Blake DeLong explained

Blake DeLong
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma Mater:The University of Texas at Austin
Occupation:Actor

Blake Anthony DeLong (born 1980) is an American film, television, and stage actor best known for originating the role of Andrey/Old Bolkonsky in the hit musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.[1] He played the lead role opposite James Hand in Matt Muir's film Thank You a Lot,[2] which premiered on the opening night of SXSW Film Festival in 2014. He is featured in Ava DuVernay's When They See Us on Netflix and played supporting roles in Spike Lee's 2018 film Pass Over, as well as Sister Aimee and Late Night, which both appeared at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. He recently earned praise as axe murderer William Kemmler in the 2020 Sundance film Tesla, by Michael Almereyda.[3] Notable stage work includes Othello at New York Theatre Workshop,[4] a turn as David Amram in Illyria at The Public Theater,[5] and the sixth Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, opposite Wendell Pierce.

Personal life

DeLong was born in Dallas, Texas and began acting in plays as a student at Lake Highlands High School.[6] He met director Matt Muir in graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin, who cast him in his first film roles.[7] DeLong's master's thesis was titled "Piece in progress" : writing, producing and performing a new play, "All of a piece".[8] After moving to New York City, DeLong worked odd jobs and starred in regional theater productions before booking commercials, Off-Broadway theater, television, and eventually, work in higher profile films.[9] In 2021, he had a supporting role in the film The United States vs. Billie Holiday, directed by Lee Daniels.[10]

Filmography

Film!Year!Title!Role!Notes
2011We Need To Talk About KevinYoung Suited Man #1
2014Thank You a LotJack Hand
2016Auld Lang SyneBryce
Complete UnknownJames
2018Pass OverOssifer
Shy GuysRussellShort film
JohnnyVictorShort film
2019Sister AimeeDetective Brown
BagatelleCowboyShort film
CubbyMitch
Late NightMcCary
2020A Quiet Place Part IIUmpire
TeslaWilliam Kemmler
2021MaydayVictory Captain (voice)
The United States vs. Billie HolidayAgent Carter
The Land of OwlsPaul
Are You Happy NowLeo

Television!Year!Title!Role!Notes
2014The BlacklistChris PerezEpisode: "The Front"
2015The FollowingSaulEpisode: "A Simple Trade"
The Mysteries of LauraCarloEpisode: "Mystery of the Maternal Instinct"
2016UnforgettableSammy GavlakEpisode: "Bad Company"
VinylNeil SmithEpisode: "Whispered Secrets"
2017The Good FightMikeyEpisode: "Self Condemned"
The Daily ShowInternet Cafe CustomerEpisode: "Rashida Jones"
2019FBIMatt TolanEpisode: "Partners in Crime"
When They See UsDetective NugentMiniseries, 1 episode
The Loudest VoiceFrankMiniseries, 1 episode
2021Trace LambertEpisode: "They'd Already Disappeared"
2022The BlacklistGordon GrahamEpisode: "Genuine Models, Inc."

Stage credits

Theater!Year!Title!Role!Location!Notes
2012Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Andrey Bolkonsky / Old Prince BolkonskyArs Nova, Off-BroadwayStarring Phillipa Soo, Dave Malloy and Lucas Steele
2013Kazino Meatpacking, Off-Broadway
2013-2014Kazino at Times Square, Off-Broadway
2016-2017OthelloSoldierNew York Theatre Workshop, Off-BroadwayStarring Daniel Craig, David Oyelowo, and Rachel Brosnahan. Also composed original music[11]
2017IllyriaDavid AmramThe Public Theater, Off-BroadwayStarring John Magaro, Fran Kranz, and Will Brill
2022-2023Death of a SalesmanHoward Wagner / StanleyHudson Theatre, BroadwayStarring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke

Notes and References

  1. News: Isherwood. Charles. 2013-09-02. Love Away From the Battlefield. The New York Times. 2020-05-08. 0362-4331.
  2. Web site: James Hand hits the big screen, along with all "the loneliness and his fear and the kind of weariness that he just brings along". Freeman. Doug. Austin Chronicle. 2020-05-08. March 7, 2014.
  3. Web site: 'Tesla': Film Review Sundance 2020. The Hollywood Reporter. 28 January 2020 . 2020-05-08.
  4. Web site: 'Othello': Theater Review. The Hollywood Reporter. 12 December 2016 . 2020-05-08.
  5. Web site: 'Illyria' explores how Joe Papp created Shakespeare in the Park. Newsday. 2020-05-08.
  6. Web site: Lake Highlands High School alums make their mark in film. 2014-03-30. Dallas News. 2020-05-08.
  7. Web site: Matt Muir and Blake DeLong (director and star of "Thank You A Lot"). Tiny Mix Tapes. 2020-05-08.
  8. DeLong . Blake Anthony . "Piece in progress" : writing, producing and performing a new play, "All of a piece" . May 2007 . 10.15781/T2N29P968 . 166268245.
  9. Web site: Dallas-Raised Actor Blake DeLong Stars in Amazon's Pass Over. Babb. Christina Hughes. 2019-03-11. Dallas Observer. 2020-05-08.
  10. Web site: Film News Roundup: Patrick Schwarzenegger Joins Amy Poehler's Drama 'Moxie'. McNary. Dave. 2019-10-30. Variety. 2020-05-08.
  11. Web site: NYTW / Othello. NYTW. 2020-05-08.
  12. Web site: 2014 Nominees. The Lucille Lortel Awards. 2020-05-08.