| Bruce Joseph Marchiano | |
| Birth Date: | 5 February 1956 |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| 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]
Marchiano 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]
Marchiano'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.
Marchiano has written four books, mostly about his experiences portraying Jesus:
He also wrote, directed, and appeared in the pro-life film Alison's Choice[2]
Marchiano 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]
Marchiano grew up in the Catholic Church but became a Protestant in 1989. He and his wife Maria have two children, Shane and Brooke.[17]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Three Kings | ||
| 1989 | Deputy Barney | ||
| 1993 | Jesus | ||
| 1994 | 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 |
| 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 |