Bryan Greenberg
Encyclopedia
Bryan E. Greenberg is an American actor and musician, known for his starring role as Ben Epstein in the HBO original series How to Make It in America
as well as a recurring role as Jake Jagielski in the The WB
TV series One Tree Hill
and as Nick Garrett on the short-lived ABC drama October Road
. His film work includes Friends with Benefits
, The Good Guy
, Bride Wars
, Nobel Son
and The Perfect Score
.
to psychologists Denny and Carl Greenberg. He has a younger sister, Becca. Greenberg was raised in Conservative Judaism
and attended Beth El Synagogue. He moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri
when he was twelve years old. He graduated from Parkway Central High School
in Chesterfield, Missouri
. Greenberg became interested in acting at an early age, and moved to New York City after high school. He attended and worked at a Jewish summer camp located in Webster, Wisconsin, called Herzl Camp. He starred as Joseph in a camp-wide production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1992. He was a 1995 Ozo.
in Theatre course at New York University
, Greenberg landed roles in many theatre companies. He was cast as Romeo in NYU
's performance of Romeo and Juliet
. In 1997, he was offered a small role on the television series Law & Order
. Soon after his appearance, he was assigned an agent and one year later, made his big screen debut in A Civil Action
, a film starring John Travolta
.
A few years later, after landing small roles on the TV series (Boston Public
, The Sopranos
, and Third Watch
among others), Greenberg was cast as Matty Matthews, a high school student trying to pass the S.A.T, in the film The Perfect Score
. While he was still appearing in One Tree Hill
, he began shooting another television show for HBO called Unscripted
. Greenberg's first starring role was in the Ben Younger
film Prime
(2005). He played David Bloomberg, a young artist who falls in love with one of his mother's (Meryl Streep
) therapy patients (Uma Thurman
).
In 2007, Greenberg released his debut album, Waiting for Now
. Over the past few years, he has toured with Gavin Degraw
, Michael Tolcher
, Ari Hest
, and Graham Colton
. At his New York City Show at the High Line Ballroom, Greenberg was joined by How to Make it in America co-star, Kid Cudi
. Greenberg has had his songs placed in many of his film and television work, including One Tree Hill, October Road, Nobel Son and more. In 2008, he appeared in the Will.I.Am
version of Barack Obama
's Yes We Can
.
Greenberg then starred in October Road
on ABC and appeared with Alan Rickman
in the film Nobel Son
in 2008.
In 2009, Greenberg appeared in the film Bride Wars
with Kate Hudson
and Anne Hathaway and starred in the indie film The Good Guy
, which was released in February 2010.
His new series How to Make It in America
premiered on HBO on February 14, 2010.
Season 2 premiered on October 2, 2011.
Greenberg made a PSA about the Gulf Oil Spill for Natural Resources Defense Council
calling for Clean Energy Legislation. It was released July 20, 2010.
His song "You Can Run" featuring Kid Cudi was published in late January 2011. Vocals are followed by smooth guitar and singing/rapping by both Greenberg and Cudi.
How to Make It in America
How to Make It in America is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on February 14, 2010. The series follows the lives of Ben Epstein and his friend Cam Calderon as they try to succeed in New York City's fashion scene...
as well as a recurring role as Jake Jagielski in the The WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
TV series One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
and as Nick Garrett on the short-lived ABC drama October Road
October Road (TV series)
October Road is an American television drama that debuted on ABC on March 15, 2007 following Grey's Anatomy. It follows Nick Garrett , who after a decade returns to his hometown, the fictional Knights Ridge, Massachusetts.The series is produced by ABC Studios and GroupM Entertainment; the latter is...
. His film work includes Friends with Benefits
Friends With Benefits (Film)
Friends with Benefits is a 2011 American romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck and starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. The film features an ensemble cast which includes Woody Harrelson, Bryan Greenberg, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Emma Stone and Patricia Clarkson...
, The Good Guy
The Good Guy (film)
The Good Guy is a 2009 romantic comedy film directed by Julio DePietro starring Alexis Bledel, Scott Porter, and Bryan Greenberg.-Plot:Ambitious young Manhattanite and urban conservationist Beth wants it all: a good job, good friends, and a good guy to share the city with. Of course that last one...
, Bride Wars
Bride Wars
Bride Wars is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Gary Winick and written by Greg DePaul, June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson....
, Nobel Son
Nobel Son
Nobel Son is a 2007 American black comedy about a dysfunctional family dealing with the kidnapping of their son for ransom following the father's winning of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry...
and The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score is a teen heist film released in 2004 and directed by Brian Robbins. It stars Erika Christensen, Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg, Scarlett Johansson, Darius Miles, and Leonardo Nam....
.
Early life
Greenberg was born in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
to psychologists Denny and Carl Greenberg. He has a younger sister, Becca. Greenberg was raised in Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
and attended Beth El Synagogue. He moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
when he was twelve years old. He graduated from Parkway Central High School
Parkway Central High School
Parkway Central High School is a secondary school located in Chesterfield, Missouri. The school's mascot is the Colt. Parkway Central High School is the original high school in the Parkway School District in St. Louis County. It serves 1,353 students in grades 9-12...
in Chesterfield, Missouri
Chesterfield, Missouri
Chesterfield is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis and is the largest city in west St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population is 47,484. Chesterfield also celebrated its 20th birthday in 2008.- Geography :...
. Greenberg became interested in acting at an early age, and moved to New York City after high school. He attended and worked at a Jewish summer camp located in Webster, Wisconsin, called Herzl Camp. He starred as Joseph in a camp-wide production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1992. He was a 1995 Ozo.
Career
After embarking on a Bachelor of Fine ArtsBachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
in Theatre course at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Greenberg landed roles in many theatre companies. He was cast as Romeo in NYU
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's performance of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
. In 1997, he was offered a small role on the television series Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
. Soon after his appearance, he was assigned an agent and one year later, made his big screen debut in A Civil Action
A Civil Action
A Civil Action is a 1998 American drama film starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr...
, a film starring John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
.
A few years later, after landing small roles on the TV series (Boston Public
Boston Public
Boston Public is an American drama television series created by David E. Kelley and broadcast on Fox. It centered on Winslow High School, a fictional public high school located in Boston, Massachusetts. The show was named for the real public school district in which it takes place...
, The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, and Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
among others), Greenberg was cast as Matty Matthews, a high school student trying to pass the S.A.T, in the film The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score
The Perfect Score is a teen heist film released in 2004 and directed by Brian Robbins. It stars Erika Christensen, Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg, Scarlett Johansson, Darius Miles, and Leonardo Nam....
. While he was still appearing in One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
, he began shooting another television show for HBO called Unscripted
Unscripted
Unscripted is an American comedy-drama series that aired on HBO in early 2005. Its title referred to the fact that the series was largely improvised by its performers...
. Greenberg's first starring role was in the Ben Younger
Ben Younger
Ben Younger is an American screenwriter and film director.-Early life and career:Younger was born in Brooklyn, and raised in a Modern Orthodox Jewish household in Eltingville, Staten Island. He attended a yeshiva, before entering Queens College, part of the City University of New York, where he...
film Prime
Prime (film)
Prime is a 2005 American romantic comedy film starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep and Bryan Greenberg. It was written and directed by Ben Younger...
(2005). He played David Bloomberg, a young artist who falls in love with one of his mother's (Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
) therapy patients (Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman
Uma Karuna Thurman is an American actress and model. She has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Among her best-known roles are those in the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill...
).
In 2007, Greenberg released his debut album, Waiting for Now
Waiting For Now
Waiting For Now is an album independently released, written and performed by Bryan Greenberg. He has had three songs on both "October Road" and "One Tree Hill".-Track listing:...
. Over the past few years, he has toured with Gavin Degraw
Gavin DeGraw
Gavin Shane DeGraw is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is known for his songs "Chariot", "Follow Through", "I Don't Want to Be" , "In Love with a Girl", and "Not Over You".-Early life:DeGraw grew up in the Catskills in South Fallsburg,...
, Michael Tolcher
Michael Tolcher
Michael Tolcher is an American singer-songwriter who blends pop, blues, and urban grooves. He was born in Front Royal, Virginia, and has lived most of his life in and around Atlanta, Georgia.- Biography :...
, Ari Hest
Ari Hest
Ari Hest is an American singer-songwriter and a native of Riverdale in the Bronx borough of New York.-Early life:Ari took piano lessons as a child and later, as a teenager, taught himself to play his mother's nylon string guitar by ear with influences from both his parents' record collection and...
, and Graham Colton
Graham Colton
Graham Colton is an American singer-songwriter from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma most widely known for his hit song "Best Days", featured on the television series American Idol and Kyle XY...
. At his New York City Show at the High Line Ballroom, Greenberg was joined by How to Make it in America co-star, Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi , better known by his stage name Kid Cudi , sometimes stylized KiD CuDi, is an American rapper, singer and actor. He first gained major attention after the release of his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. In 2009, his single "Day 'n' Nite" reached the top five of the...
. Greenberg has had his songs placed in many of his film and television work, including One Tree Hill, October Road, Nobel Son and more. In 2008, he appeared in the Will.I.Am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
version of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's Yes We Can
Yes We Can
"Yes We Can" is the first single from Change Is Now: Renewing America's Promise, a compilation album organised and produced by Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am...
.
Greenberg then starred in October Road
October Road (TV series)
October Road is an American television drama that debuted on ABC on March 15, 2007 following Grey's Anatomy. It follows Nick Garrett , who after a decade returns to his hometown, the fictional Knights Ridge, Massachusetts.The series is produced by ABC Studios and GroupM Entertainment; the latter is...
on ABC and appeared with Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman is an English actor and theatre director. He is a renowned stage actor in modern and classical productions and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in the film Nobel Son
Nobel Son
Nobel Son is a 2007 American black comedy about a dysfunctional family dealing with the kidnapping of their son for ransom following the father's winning of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry...
in 2008.
In 2009, Greenberg appeared in the film Bride Wars
Bride Wars
Bride Wars is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Gary Winick and written by Greg DePaul, June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson....
with Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson
Kate Garry Hudson is an American actress. She came to prominence in 2001 after winning a Golden Globe and receiving several nominations, including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Almost Famous. She then starred in the hit film How to Lose a Guy in 10...
and Anne Hathaway and starred in the indie film The Good Guy
The Good Guy
The Good Guy is a thriller novel by American author Dean Koontz, which was released on May 29, 2007.- Summary :Timothy Carrier is an unassuming stonemason who, while having a beer at his regular bar, is accidentally mistaken for a hitman by a stranger who hands him an envelope containing $10,000...
, which was released in February 2010.
His new series How to Make It in America
How to Make It in America
How to Make It in America is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on February 14, 2010. The series follows the lives of Ben Epstein and his friend Cam Calderon as they try to succeed in New York City's fashion scene...
premiered on HBO on February 14, 2010.
Season 2 premiered on October 2, 2011.
Greenberg made a PSA about the Gulf Oil Spill for Natural Resources Defense Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
calling for Clean Energy Legislation. It was released July 20, 2010.
His song "You Can Run" featuring Kid Cudi was published in late January 2011. Vocals are followed by smooth guitar and singing/rapping by both Greenberg and Cudi.
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Law & Order Law & Order Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,... |
Matt Wheeler | Episode: "Thrill" |
| 1998 | A Civil Action A Civil Action A Civil Action is a 1998 American drama film starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr... |
Firecracker Kid | uncredited |
| 2001 | The Sopranos The Sopranos The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads... |
Peter McClure | Episode: "Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist's Office..." |
| Third Watch Third Watch Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each.... |
Francis DeSilva | Episode: "Journey to the Himalayas" | |
| Boston Public Boston Public Boston Public is an American drama television series created by David E. Kelley and broadcast on Fox. It centered on Winslow High School, a fictional public high school located in Boston, Massachusetts. The show was named for the real public school district in which it takes place... |
Mr. Freeman | Episodes: "Chapter Two", "Chapter Sixty-Seven" | |
| Three Sisters | Roy | Episode: "A Date with Destiny" | |
| 2002 | Strong Medicine Strong Medicine Strong Medicine is a medical drama with a focus on feminist politics, health issues and class conflict. The television series aired on the Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It is distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The series was created and produced in part by comedienne and... |
Kent | Episode: "Rape Kit" |
| The Chronicle The Chronicle The Chronicle may refer to:Publications* The Chronicle * The Chronicle * The Chronicle * The Chronicle * The Chronicle The Chronicle may refer to:Publications* The Chronicle (Barton, Vermont)* The Chronicle (Dominica)* The Chronicle (Duke University)* The Chronicle (North Central College)* The... |
Damon Furberg | Episode: "The Stepford Cheerleaders" | |
| Providence Providence (TV series) Providence is an American drama series that aired on NBC starring Melina Kanakaredes. The show ran for five seasons from January 8, 1999 until December 20, 2002.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Dr... |
Neal | Episode: "Great Expectations" | |
| 2003–2006 | One Tree Hill One Tree Hill (TV series) One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster... |
Jake Jagielski | 25 episodes |
| 2004 | Life With Bonnie Life With Bonnie Life with Bonnie is an ABC television sitcom that originally aired from 2002 to 2004. The show outlined the life of character Bonnie Malloy, who juggled her personal life and a TV talk show position. The series was created by Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake, and produced by Miss Hunt's company, Bob &... |
Timmy | Episode: "Nip, Tuck and Role" |
| 2005–2006 | Unscripted Unscripted Unscripted is an American comedy-drama series that aired on HBO in early 2005. Its title referred to the fact that the series was largely improvised by its performers... |
Himself | 10 episodes |
| 2007–2009 | October Road October Road (TV series) October Road is an American television drama that debuted on ABC on March 15, 2007 following Grey's Anatomy. It follows Nick Garrett , who after a decade returns to his hometown, the fictional Knights Ridge, Massachusetts.The series is produced by ABC Studios and GroupM Entertainment; the latter is... |
Nick Garret | Main cast, 19 episodes |
| 2010–present | How to Make It in America How to Make It in America How to Make It in America is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on February 14, 2010. The series follows the lives of Ben Epstein and his friend Cam Calderon as they try to succeed in New York City's fashion scene... |
Ben Epstein | 16 episodes |
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Perfect Score The Perfect Score The Perfect Score is a teen heist film released in 2004 and directed by Brian Robbins. It stars Erika Christensen, Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg, Scarlett Johansson, Darius Miles, and Leonardo Nam.... |
Matty Matthews | First feature film |
| 2005 | Prime Prime (film) Prime is a 2005 American romantic comedy film starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep and Bryan Greenberg. It was written and directed by Ben Younger... |
David Bloomberg | First starring role |
| 2006 | Love & Debate Love & Debate Love & Debate is a drama/romance film released in 2006 based on decisions everyday teenage girls have to make.It is a story of a young girl who has become the star in the debate club in her high school.... |
Chris | Originally titled: Thanks to Gravity |
| 2008 | Nobel Son Nobel Son Nobel Son is a 2007 American black comedy about a dysfunctional family dealing with the kidnapping of their son for ransom following the father's winning of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry... |
Barkley Michaelson | 2007 Tribeca Film Festival |
| 2009 | Bride Wars Bride Wars Bride Wars is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Gary Winick and written by Greg DePaul, June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson.... |
Nathan "Nate" Lerner | Supporting role |
| The Good Guy The Good Guy (film) The Good Guy is a 2009 romantic comedy film directed by Julio DePietro starring Alexis Bledel, Scott Porter, and Bryan Greenberg.-Plot:Ambitious young Manhattanite and urban conservationist Beth wants it all: a good job, good friends, and a good guy to share the city with. Of course that last one... |
Daniel Seaver | 2009 Tribeca Film Festival | |
| 2011 | Friends with Benefits Friends With Benefits (Film) Friends with Benefits is a 2011 American romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck and starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. The film features an ensemble cast which includes Woody Harrelson, Bryan Greenberg, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Emma Stone and Patricia Clarkson... |
Parker | |