Biography
Christopher Abbott is an American actor known for emotionally intense performances across independent cinema, television and theater. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, Abbott began his professional acting career on the New York stage before making his feature-film debut in Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011. He later gained recognition for roles in Girls, The Sinner, Catch-22, James White, Possessor, Sanctuary, Poor Things and Wolf Man.
Abbott has also maintained a substantial theater career, including Broadway appearances in The House of Blue Leaves and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. His performance as Biff Loman in the 2026 Broadway revival earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.
Filmography
- Martha Marcy May Marlene
- Hello I Must Be Going
- All That I Am
- The Sleepwalker
- A Most Violent Year
- James White
- Katie Says Goodbye
- It Comes at Night
- Sweet Virginia
- First Man
- Piercing
- Vox Lux
- The World to Come
- Possessor
- Black Bear
- The Forgiven
- On the Count of Three
- Sanctuary
- Poor Things
- Bring Them Down
- Wolf Man
- Swimming Hole
Movies (All)
- Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
- Hello I Must Be Going (2012)
- All That I Am (2013)
- The Sleepwalker (2014)
- A Most Violent Year (2014)
- James White (2015)
- Katie Says Goodbye (2016)
- It Comes at Night (2017)
- Sweet Virginia (2017)
- First Man (2018)
- Piercing (2018)
- Vox Lux (2018)
- The World to Come (2020)
- Possessor (2020)
- Black Bear (2020)
- The Forgiven (2021)
- On the Count of Three (2021)
- Sanctuary (2022)
- Poor Things (2023)
- Bring Them Down (2024)
- Wolf Man (2025)
- Swimming Hole (upcoming)
TV Shows (All)
- Nurse Jackie (2009)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2009)
- Girls (2012–2016)
- The Sinner (2017)
- Catch-22 (2019)
- The Crowded Room (2023)
- East of Eden (upcoming)
Stage / Theater Work
- The Overwhelming
- Good Boys and True
- Mouth to Mouth
- That Face
- The House of Blue Leaves
- The Rose Tattoo
- John
- Fool for Love
- Danny and the Deep Blue Sea
- Death of a Salesman
All Characters Played
- Geoffrey Exley
- Justin
- Phillip
- Ronnie Shaughnessy
- Charlie Dattolo
- Mason Tannetti
- John Yossarian
- James White
- Will
- Sam Rossi
- David Scott
- Reed
- Finney
- Colin Tate
- Gabriel
- Tom Day
- Val
- Hal
- Alfie Blessington
- Michael
- Blake Lovell
- Biff Loman
Known For
Charlie Dattolo (Girls), Mason Tannetti (The Sinner), John Yossarian (Catch-22), James White (James White), Biff Loman (Death of a Salesman)
Awards & Recognition
- 01 SXSW Film Festival — Special Jury Award, Ensemble Cast — All That I Am (2013)
- 02 Hamptons International Film Festival — Breakthrough Performer — James White (2015)
- 03 Chlotrudis Awards — Best Actor — James White (2016)
- 04 Chicago International Film Festival — Emerging Artist Award — James White (2015)
- 05 Vancouver Film Critics Circle — Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film — Possessor (2021)
All Award Nominations
- 01 Gotham Award — Best Ensemble Performance — Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
- 02 Chicago Film Critics Association — Best Actor — James White (2015)
- 03 Chicago Film Critics Association — Most Promising Performer — James White (2015)
- 04 Detroit Film Critics Society — Best Actor — James White (2015)
- 05 Gotham Independent Film Award — Best Actor — James White (2015)
- 06 Independent Spirit Award — Best Male Lead — James White (2016)
- 07 Golden Globe — Best Actor, Limited Series/TV Movie — Catch-22 (2020)
- 08 Critics Choice Award — Best Actor, Limited Series/TV Movie — Catch-22 (2020)
- 09 Lucille Lortel Award — Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play — Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (2024)
- 10 Tony Award — Best Featured Actor in a Play — Death of a Salesman (2026)
- 11 Drama League Award — Distinguished Performance — Death of a Salesman (2026)
- 12 Outer Critics Circle Award — Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play — Death of a Salesman (2026)
Golden Globe Nominations
- 01 2020 — Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television — Catch-22