Bruce Marchiano

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Bruce Joseph Marchiano
Born (1956-02-05) February 5, 1956 (age 68)
Los Angeles, California, USA
OccupationActor
Years active1984–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]

Early life

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]

Career

Acting career

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.

Writing career

Marchiano has written four books, mostly about his experiences portraying Jesus:

  • In the Footsteps of Jesus: One Man’s Journey (1997), Harvest House
  • Jesus, the Man Who Loved Women: He Treasures, Esteems, and Delights in You (2008), Howard Books
  • The Character of a Man: Reflecting the Image of Jesus (2010), Howard Books
  • Jesus Wept (2012), Howard Books

He also wrote, directed, and appeared in the pro-life film Alison's Choice[2]

Marchiano Ministries

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]

Personal life

Marchiano grew up in the Catholic Church but became a Protestant[citation needed] in 1989. He and his wife Maria have two children, Shane and Brooke.[17]

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
1987 The Three Kings
1989 Curse II: The Bite Deputy Barney
1993 The Visual Bible: Matthew Jesus
1994 The Visual Bible: Acts 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

Television

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

References

  1. ^ a b c "BRUCE MARCHIANO". Higher Level Agency. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bruce Marchiano". IMDb. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  3. ^ Marchiano, Bruce (2016-10-21). "BRUCE MARCHIANO ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO PLAY JESUS". PureFlix Insider. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  4. ^ Marchiano, Bruce. The Character of a Man: Reflecting the image of Jesus. p. 99.
  5. ^ Yearbook 1973, Servite High School, Volume XII, Anaheim, California.
  6. ^ "Jesus Christ: Playing Jesus—a Discussion with Bruce Marchiano". Grace Communion International. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  7. ^ Wilharm, Sharon (2013-07-24). "A COMPELLING INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN ACTOR – BRUCE MARCHIANO". Sonoma Christian Home. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  8. ^ a b "Bruce Marchiano". Christian Worldview Film Festival. 2018. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  9. ^ "Attorney Profile". The State Bar of California. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  10. ^ "Bruce's Story « Marchiano Ministries". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  11. ^ "Road to Emmaus, PA". Dove Family Friendly Films. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  12. ^ "LION OF JUDAH (2011): AN EXCELLENT FILM TO WATCH WITH THE FAMILY ON EASTER". The Joyous Living. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  13. ^ "Bruce Marchiano". marchianoministries.com.
  14. ^ "Apostle Peter and the Last Supper". Christian Cinema. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  15. ^ "A word from Bruce". Marchiano Ministries. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  16. ^ "Bruce Marchiano". Simon & Schuster.
  17. ^ Mahoney, Karen (2017). "Powerful pro-life film is already saving lives". celebrateLIFE. Retrieved 2021-07-28.