Blake DeLong explained
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
Television!Year!Title!Role!Notes2014 | The Blacklist | Chris Perez | Episode: "The Front" |
2015 | The Following | Saul | Episode: "A Simple Trade" |
The Mysteries of Laura | Carlo | Episode: "Mystery of the Maternal Instinct" |
2016 | Unforgettable | Sammy Gavlak | Episode: "Bad Company" |
Vinyl | Neil Smith | Episode: "Whispered Secrets" |
2017 | The Good Fight | Mikey | Episode: "Self Condemned" |
The Daily Show | Internet Cafe Customer | Episode: "Rashida Jones" |
2019 | FBI | Matt Tolan | Episode: "Partners in Crime" |
When They See Us | Detective Nugent | Miniseries, 1 episode |
The Loudest Voice | Frank | Miniseries, 1 episode |
2021 | | Trace Lambert | Episode: "They'd Already Disappeared" |
2022 | The Blacklist | Gordon Graham | Episode: "Genuine Models, Inc." | |
Stage credits
Theater!Year!Title!Role!Location!Notes2012 | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Andrey Bolkonsky / Old Prince Bolkonsky | Ars Nova, Off-Broadway | Starring Phillipa Soo, Dave Malloy and Lucas Steele |
2013 | Kazino Meatpacking, Off-Broadway |
2013-2014 | Kazino at Times Square, Off-Broadway |
2016-2017 | Othello | Soldier | New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway | Starring Daniel Craig, David Oyelowo, and Rachel Brosnahan. Also composed original music[11] |
2017 | Illyria | David Amram | The Public Theater, Off-Broadway | Starring John Magaro, Fran Kranz, and Will Brill |
2022-2023 | Death of a Salesman | Howard Wagner / Stanley | Hudson Theatre, Broadway | Starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke | |
Notes and References
- News: Isherwood. Charles. 2013-09-02. Love Away From the Battlefield. The New York Times. 2020-05-08. 0362-4331.
- 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.
- Web site: 'Tesla': Film Review Sundance 2020. The Hollywood Reporter. 28 January 2020 . 2020-05-08.
- Web site: 'Othello': Theater Review. The Hollywood Reporter. 12 December 2016 . 2020-05-08.
- Web site: 'Illyria' explores how Joe Papp created Shakespeare in the Park. Newsday. 2020-05-08.
- Web site: Lake Highlands High School alums make their mark in film. 2014-03-30. Dallas News. 2020-05-08.
- Web site: Matt Muir and Blake DeLong (director and star of "Thank You A Lot"). Tiny Mix Tapes. 2020-05-08.
- DeLong . Blake Anthony . "Piece in progress" : writing, producing and performing a new play, "All of a piece" . May 2007 . 10.15781/T2N29P968 . 166268245.
- Web site: Dallas-Raised Actor Blake DeLong Stars in Amazon's Pass Over. Babb. Christina Hughes. 2019-03-11. Dallas Observer. 2020-05-08.
- Web site: Film News Roundup: Patrick Schwarzenegger Joins Amy Poehler's Drama 'Moxie'. McNary. Dave. 2019-10-30. Variety. 2020-05-08.
- Web site: NYTW / Othello. NYTW. 2020-05-08.
- Web site: 2014 Nominees. The Lucille Lortel Awards. 2020-05-08.