Blake DeLong

Blake DeLong
Born1980 (age 44–45)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma materThe University of Texas at Austin
OccupationActor

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

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2011 We Need To Talk About Kevin Young Suited Man #1
2014 Thank You a Lot Jack Hand
2016 Auld Lang Syne Bryce
Complete Unknown James
2018 Pass Over Ossifer
Shy Guys Russell Short film
Johnny Victor Short film
2019 Sister Aimee Detective Brown
Bagatelle Cowboy Short film
Cubby Mitch
Late Night McCary
2020 A Quiet Place Part II Umpire
Tesla William Kemmler
2021 Mayday Victory Captain (voice)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Agent Carter
The Land of Owls Paul
Are You Happy Now Leo


Television
Year Title Role Notes
2014 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 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Trace Lambert Episode: "They'd Already Disappeared"
2022 The Blacklist Gordon Graham Episode: "Genuine Models, Inc."

Stage credits

Theater
Year Title Role Location Notes
2012 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

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2014 Lucille Lortel Award[12] Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Nominated

References

  1. ^ Isherwood, Charles (2013-09-02). "Love Away From the Battlefield". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  2. ^ Freeman, Doug (March 7, 2014). "James Hand hits the big screen, along with all "the loneliness and his fear and the kind of weariness that he just brings along"". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. ^ "'Tesla': Film Review | Sundance 2020". The Hollywood Reporter. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  4. ^ "'Othello': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  5. ^ "'Illyria' explores how Joe Papp created Shakespeare in the Park". Newsday. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  6. ^ "Lake Highlands High School alums make their mark in film". Dallas News. 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  7. ^ "Matt Muir and Blake DeLong (director and star of "Thank You A Lot")". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  8. ^ DeLong, Blake Anthony (May 2007). "Piece in progress" : writing, producing and performing a new play, "All of a piece" (Thesis). doi:10.15781/T2N29P968. OCLC 166268245.
  9. ^ Babb, Christina Hughes (2019-03-11). "Dallas-Raised Actor Blake DeLong Stars in Amazon's Pass Over". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  10. ^ McNary, Dave (2019-10-30). "Film News Roundup: Patrick Schwarzenegger Joins Amy Poehler's Drama 'Moxie'". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  11. ^ "NYTW / Othello". NYTW. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  12. ^ "2014 Nominees". The Lucille Lortel Awards. Retrieved 2020-05-08.