Michael Chernus

Biography

Michael Chernus is an American actor with credits in film, television, and theater. He grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, and studied at the Juilliard School's Drama Division. His stage work brought him a 2011 Obie Award, and he was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his part in Lisa Kron's In the Wake at The Public Theater. He also took the lead in Annie Baker's The Aliens at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, which Charles Isherwood of The New York Times chose as the best play of 2010. On screen he has been in Men in Black 3 (2012), The Bourne Legacy (2012), Captain Phillips (2013), and Jack and Diane (2012). He is known for playing Cal Chapman on Orange Is the New Black from 2013 to 2019, and he starred in Dead Ringers, a Peabody Award winner. He played John Wayne Gacy in Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, which first aired in October 2025.

49years old

Turns 50 on August 8in 300 days

Born August 8, 1977Rocky River
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
Also credited as Michael Louis Chernus

Movie Career

Films: 25
Career span: 20 years2005 to 2025

Genres

Drama60%, 15 films
Comedy48%, 12 films
Romance28%, 7 films
Thriller16%, 4 films
Adventure12%, 3 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Beyond film
Chernus took the lead part of KJ in Annie Baker's play The Aliens at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called it the best play of 2010.

Michael Chernus movies on Netflix

Birthrite2025IMDb rating 3.7as Paul
A Complete Unknown2024IMDb rating 7.3as Dave Van Ronk
Out of My Mind2024IMDb rating 7.4as Mr. Dimming
Molli and Max in the Future2023IMDb rating 6.3as Turboschmuck
Werewolves Within2021IMDb rating 6.0as Pete Anderton
Furlough2018IMDb rating 5.5as Bus Driver
The Kindergarten Teacher2018IMDb rating 6.7as Grant Spinelli
The Dinner2017IMDb rating 4.5as Dylan Heinz
The Most Hated Woman in America2017IMDb rating 6.1as Jon Garth Murray
Complete Unknown2016IMDb rating 5.4as Clyde
The Family Fang2016IMDb rating 6.1as Kenny
Aloha2015IMDb rating 5.4as Roy
Mistress America2015IMDb rating 6.7as Dylan
People, Places, Things2015IMDb rating 6.8as Gary St. Gray
Alex of Venice2014IMDb rating 5.8as Trofimov
Goodbye to All That2014IMDb rating 5.3as Freddie
Captain Phillips2013IMDb rating 7.8as Shane Murphy
He's Way More Famous Than You2013IMDb rating 3.7as Michael Chernus
Jack & Diane2012IMDb rating 4.5as Jaimie
Men in Black 32012IMDb rating 6.8as Jeffrey Price
The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6as Arthur Ingram
Higher Ground2011IMDb rating 6.2as Ned
Coach2010IMDb rating 5.4as Michael
The Messenger2009IMDb rating 7.1as Alan
Winter Passing2005IMDb rating 6.2as Ben

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

Captain Phillips2013 Adventure, Biography, Crime, Drama, Thrilleras Shane Murphy
IMDb rating 7.8523K votes
Men in Black 32012 Action, Adventure, Comedyas Jeffrey Price
IMDb rating 6.8416K votes
The Bourne Legacy2012as Arthur Ingram
IMDb rating 6.6330K votes
Werewolves Within2021as Pete Anderton
IMDb rating 6.030K votes
The Kindergarten Teacher2018as Grant Spinelli
IMDb rating 6.719K votes
Mistress America2015as Dylan
IMDb rating 6.730K votes
The Most Hated Woman in America2017as Jon Garth Murray
IMDb rating 6.18.0K votes
Aloha2015as Roy
IMDb rating 5.479K votes

Most often with

Oren Moverman directed two of these films. Twelve actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Melissa Leo

Rachel Weisz

Juno Temple

Bill Camp

Edward Norton

Jemaine ClementOren MovermanDirector, 2 films

Films together

Melissa Leo2 films together, 2017 to 2018
Melissa Leo's page
- Furlough2018IMDb rating 5.5Chernus as Bus DriverLeo as Joan Anderson
- The Most Hated Woman in America2017IMDb rating 6.1Chernus as Jon Garth MurrayLeo as Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Rachel Weisz2 films together, 2012 to 2016
Rachel Weisz's page
- Complete Unknown2016IMDb rating 5.4Chernus as ClydeWeisz as Alice Manning
- The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6Chernus as Arthur IngramWeisz as Dr. Marta Shearing
Juno Temple2 films together, 2012 to 2017
Juno Temple's page
- The Most Hated Woman in America2017IMDb rating 6.1Chernus as Jon Garth MurrayTemple as Robin Murray O'Hair
- Jack & Diane2012IMDb rating 4.5Chernus as JaimieTemple as Diane
Bill Camp2 films together, 2010 to 2015
Bill Camp's page
- Aloha2015IMDb rating 5.4Chernus as RoyCamp as Bob Largent
- Coach2010IMDb rating 5.4Chernus as MichaelCamp as Coach Buehl
Edward Norton2 films together, 2012 to 2024
Edward Norton's page
- A Complete Unknown2024IMDb rating 7.3Chernus as Dave Van RonkNorton as Pete Seeger
- The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6Chernus as Arthur IngramNorton as Col Eric Byer, USAF, Ret.
Jemaine Clement2 films together, 2012 to 2015
Jemaine Clement's page
- People, Places, Things2015IMDb rating 6.8Chernus as Gary St. GrayClement as Will Henry
- Men in Black 32012IMDb rating 6.8Chernus as Jeffrey PriceClement as Boris The Animal
Oren MovermanDirector, 2 films, 2009 to 2017
All films by Oren Moverman
- The Dinner2017IMDb rating 4.5Chernus as Dylan Heinz
- The Messenger2009IMDb rating 7.1Chernus as Alan
Also two films together6 more actors
- Boyd HolbrookA Complete Unknown (2024) and Higher Ground (2011)
- Mamie GummerHe's Way More Famous Than You (2013) and Coach (2010)
- Norbert Leo ButzA Complete Unknown (2024) and Higher Ground (2011)
- Donna MurphyThe Bourne Legacy (2012) and Higher Ground (2011)
- Patch DarraghBirthrite (2025) and Coach (2010)
- Erin DarkeMolli and Max in the Future (2023) and Complete Unknown (2016)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.