Bruce Joseph Marchiano | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 5, 1956 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–present |
Bruce Marchiano (born February 5, 1956) is an American actor and author best known for his portrayals of Jesus Christ in the Visual Bible film series.[1]
Early life
editMarchiano was born in Los Angeles, California on February 5, 1956.[2] His father is of Italian descent and his mother is of Syrian descent[3] and he has one brother.[4] He attended Catholic schools until graduating from Servite High School in Anaheim, California in 1973.[5][6] A Dustin Hoffman film he saw in theaters when he was young inspired him to be an actor and he acted throughout high school.[7]
Marchiano earned his B.A. in economics from California State University, Fullerton and a J.D. degree from Western State University.[8] He passed the State Bar of California in 1980 but only actively practiced law in 2019.[9]
Career
editActing career
editMarchiano's first role was a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote, which was followed by appearances in LA Law, Columbo, and the low-budget horror film, Curse II: The Bite.[10][1]
As of 2021, he has played Jesus in at least ten films; Higher Level Agency claims he has appeared as Jesus in more movies than any other actor.[2][1] In the 2009 film Road to Emmaus, he portrayed Jesus' mysterious post-resurrection appearance to two disciples as described in the Gospel of Luke.[11] He also voiced an animated Jesus in the children's animation Lion of Judah.[12][13] In 2012, Marchiano portrayed Jesus in Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, a film about St. Peter recalling his early days as he prepares for his martyrdom in Rome.[14] In 2014 he appeared as Jesus in The Week that Changed the World.
Writing career
editMarchiano has written four books, mostly about his experiences portraying Jesus:
- In the Footsteps of Jesus: One Man’s Journey (1997), Harvest House
- Jesus, the Man Who Loved Women: He Treasures, Esteems, and Delights in You (2008), Howard Books
- The Character of a Man: Reflecting the Image of Jesus (2010), Howard Books
- Jesus Wept (2012), Howard Books
He also wrote, directed, and appeared in the pro-life film Alison's Choice[2]
Marchiano Ministries
editMarchiano runs Marchiano Ministries, a non-profit ministry based out of North Hollywood, California that goes on missionary trips to South Africa.[2][8] He has given talks at schools and churches since 1993.[15][16]
Personal life
editMarchiano grew up in the Catholic Church but became a Protestant[citation needed] in 1989. He and his wife Maria have two children, Shane and Brooke.[17]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Three Kings | ||
| 1989 | Curse II: The Bite | Deputy Barney | |
| 1993 | The Visual Bible: Matthew | Jesus | |
| 1994 | The Visual Bible: Acts | Jesus | Uncredited |
| 2001 | Legend of the Candy Cane | John Sonneman (voice) | TV movie |
| 2001 | Final Solution | Jake | |
| 2002 | Jesus the Christ | Jesus | |
| 2006 | Faith Happens | Peter | |
| 2010 | Road to Emmaus | Jesus | TV movie |
| 2010 | The Encounter | Jesus | |
| 2011 | The Lion of Judah | Jesus (voice) | |
| 2011 | The Heart of Christmas | Dr. McDowell | TV movie |
| 2012 | The Encounter: Paradise Lost | Jesus | |
| 2012 | Apostle Peter and the Last Supper | Jesus | |
| 2013 | Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End | The Stranger | |
| 2013 | This is Our Time | Professor Callahan | |
| 2013 | For Love's Sake | Dr. Clement Lloyd | |
| 2013 | Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire | The Stranger | |
| 2013 | Come Follow Me | Jesus | |
| 2014 | Revelation Road: The Black Rider | The Stranger | |
| 2015 | Alison's Choice | The Janitor/Jesus | Writer, director, producer |
| 2015 | My Son, My Savior | Jesus | |
| 2018 | Grace and Gravity | John Palmer | |
| 2019 | Overcomer | Pastor Mark | |
| 2020 | The Author, the Star, and the Keeper | Author | |
| 2021 | Banking on Christmas | Bob West | TV movie |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote | Assistant Director | Episode Murder to a Jazz Beat |
| 1987 | The New Mike Hammer | Gerald | Episode Green Blizzard |
| 1989 | Hardball | Episode The Silver Scream | |
| 1989 | Freddy's Nightmares | Rick | Episode Dream Come True |
| 1989 | Days of Our Lives | Scofini | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | L.A. Law | Catcher | Episode The Unsterile Cuckoo |
| 1990 | Generations | Starvos | 3 episodes |
| 1991 | Columbo | 2nd Technician | Episode Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star |
| 1995 | Models Inc. | Minister | Episode Sometimes a Great Commotion |
| 2016-2020 | The Encounter | Jesus, Victor, The Man | 14 episodes |
References
edit- ^ a b c "BRUCE MARCHIANO". Higher Level Agency. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ a b c d "Bruce Marchiano". IMDb. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ Marchiano, Bruce (2016-10-21). "BRUCE MARCHIANO ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PLAY JESUS". PureFlix Insider. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ Marchiano, Bruce. The Character of a Man: Reflecting the image of Jesus. p. 99.
- ^ Yearbook 1973, Servite High School, Volume XII, Anaheim, California.
- ^ "Jesus Christ: Playing Jesus—a Discussion with Bruce Marchiano". Grace Communion International. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ Wilharm, Sharon (2013-07-24). "A COMPELLING INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN ACTOR – BRUCE MARCHIANO". Sonoma Christian Home. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ a b "Bruce Marchiano". Christian Worldview Film Festival. 2018. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Attorney Profile". The State Bar of California. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Bruce's Story « Marchiano Ministries". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ "Road to Emmaus, PA". Dove Family Friendly Films. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "LION OF JUDAH (2011): AN EXCELLENT FILM TO WATCH WITH THE FAMILY ON EASTER". The Joyous Living. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Bruce Marchiano". marchianoministries.com.
- ^ "Apostle Peter and the Last Supper". Christian Cinema. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "A word from Bruce". Marchiano Ministries. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Bruce Marchiano". Simon & Schuster.
- ^ Mahoney, Karen (2017). "Powerful pro-life film is already saving lives". celebrateLIFE. Retrieved 2021-07-28.