Chris Sullivan

Learn about Chris Sullivan (born July 19, 1980) — American actor and musician known for This Is Us, The Knick, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 — including his early life, career trajectory, and key roles.

Introduction

Chris Sullivan (born July 19, 1980) is an American actor and musician best known for playing Toby Damon on NBC’s This Is Us, as well as roles on The Knick, Stranger Things, and films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Sullivan’s work spans television, film, stage, and voice acting. His performances are marked by emotional depth, physical presence, and versatility. He has earned recognition (including Emmy nominations) and built a reputation as a reliable supporting actor who imbues roles with humanity.

Early Life & Personal Background

• Chris Sullivan was born on July 19, 1980, in Palm Springs, California, U.S.

• He attended Loyola Marymount University, earning a BFA in Theatre Arts in 2002.

• Before his screen work, Sullivan developed his stage chops in Chicago, including improv training at the iO Theater and performances in productions such as Defending the Caveman and The Ballad of Emmett Till at the Goodman Theatre.

Family & Personal Life

• Sullivan married Rachel Reichard in 2010.

• He and Rachel have two children: a son, Bear Maxwell (born 2020), and a daughter, Aoife Bea (born 2022).

Acting Career & Notable Works

Stage / Theater

• Sullivan has appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway. His Broadway credits include Lombardi, Chicago (revival), and Nice Work If You Can Get It.

• Off-Broadway, he earned a Lortel Award nomination for his performance as Hermes in Hadestown at New York Theatre Workshop.

Television

• The Knick: He played Tom Cleary on the Cinemax series.

• This Is Us (2016–2022): His most famous role is Toby Damon. He was nominated twice for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for this role.

• Sullivan has made appearances on a variety of other shows, such as Stranger Things (as Benny Hammond), Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Fight, Camping, The Americans, Law & Order: SVU, Elementary, and Amphibia (voice).

Film & Voice Acting

• He played Taserface in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

• Film credits include The Drop (2014), Live by Night, Imperium, Morgan, Adopt a Highway, I Trapped the Devil, Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Agnes, and Presence.

• He also does voice-acting: roles in What If…? (as Taserface), Amphibia, Vampirina, Where’s Waldo?, American Dad! and in animated and video projects like Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate.

Style, Strengths & Impact

• Emotional realism: Sullivan’s performance as Toby is deeply empathetic. He portrays vulnerability, flaws, and loyalty in ways that connect with broad audiences.

• Physical presence: At 6′4″ (approximately), he brings stature and a commanding presence, which helps in roles requiring both strength and emotional range.

• Versatility: He shifts among dramatic roles, voice work, stage, and genre films — demonstrating flexibility.

• Commitment to craft: His work in theatre, especially with musical and dramatic roles, shows a foundational seriousness to acting.

• Recognition: His nominations and consistent casting in substantial supporting roles show the industry’s respect for him.

Selected Quotes & Remarks

Though Sullivan is more known for acting than public maxims, here are a few remarks and reflections from interviews:

• Sullivan has spoken about his approach to This Is Us’ Toby: how he embraced the character’s humanity, imperfections, and growth over time.

• In interviews about The Knick, he discussed how he views uniform and setting as tools: that costume and mise-en-scène help inform how a character moves and speaks.

• He has also spoken about “swinging the pendulum” — choosing roles that vary from prior ones, to avoid being boxed in.