# David Dastmalchian
**David Dastmalchian** is an American character actor and comic book writer known for playing unsettling, off-kilter supporting roles in blockbusters such as *The Dark Knight*, the *Ant-Man* films, *Dune*, and *Oppenheimer*, and for his lead turn as talk show host Jack Delroy in the horror film *Late Night with the Devil*. Originally from Kansas, he has also built a parallel career as a comics writer, creating *Count Crowley* for Dark Horse and writing DC's *Creature Commandos* series.[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film debut | Thomas Schiff, a Joker henchman, in Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight* (2008)[2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/) |
| Signature supporting roles | Kurt in *Ant-Man* (2015) and *Ant-Man and the Wasp* (2018); Polka-Dot Man in *The Suicide Squad* (2021)[3](https://guides.justwatch.com/us/author/david-dastmalchian) • [2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/) |
| Denis Villeneuve collaborations | *Prisoners* (2013), *Blade Runner 2049* (2017), and *Dune* (2021)[4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) |
| Lead role | Jack Delroy in *Late Night with the Devil*, which opened to $2.8 million domestically, IFC Films' highest-grossing opening weekend ever[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian) |
| Comics debut | *Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter* (Dark Horse, 2019)[5](https://comicbook.com/comics/news/david-dastmalchian-interview-count-crowley-suicide-squad/) |
| Current projects | Gurathin in Apple TV+'s *Murderbot* (2025); Mr. 3 in Netflix's *One Piece*; M. Bison in the upcoming *Street Fighter* film[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian) • [4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) |
| Production company | Good Fiend Films, a genre-focused company through which he produced *Late Night with the Devil*[4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) |
## Training and film debut
Dastmalchian moved to Chicago to study acting at The Theatre School, DePaul University.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2810287/) His first film role came in [Christopher Nolan](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-nolan)'s *The Dark Knight* (2008), in which he played Thomas Schiff, a schizophrenic henchman working for the Joker who impersonates a [Gotham City](https://www.edgepedia.org/gotham-city) police officer.[2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/) • [7](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/they-nailed-in-my-humble-opinion-the-look-of-mr-3-says-one-piece-actor-david-dastmalchian) Reviewers later pointed to that debut as the beginning of a reputation for making small roles memorable.[3](https://guides.justwatch.com/us/author/david-dastmalchian)
## Supporting roles and director collaborators
A pattern of working repeatedly with the same filmmakers shaped his career. After auditioning for the dark thriller *Prisoners*, he began what became a series of collaborations with [Denis Villeneuve](https://www.edgepedia.org/denis-villeneuve), appearing in *Prisoners* (2013), *Blade Runner 2049* (2017), and *Dune* (2021).[8](https://www.avclub.com/david-dastmalchian-could-build-his-own-suicide-squad-wi-1847244605) • [4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) In superhero films he played the ex-con Kurt in Marvel's *Ant-Man* (2015) and *Ant-Man and the Wasp* (2018), the [Polka-Dot Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/polka-dot-man) in [James Gunn](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-gunn)'s *The Suicide Squad* (2021), the DC villain Abra Kadabra on *The Flash*, and Dwight Pollard on the television series *Gotham*.[3](https://guides.justwatch.com/us/author/david-dastmalchian) • [4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/)
In 2023 he reunited with Nolan for *Oppenheimer*, which grossed over $900 million globally and won the [Academy Award for Best Picture](https://www.edgepedia.org/academy-award-for-best-picture).[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian) In interviews he has said that he chooses the jobs people offer him, and attributes his affinity for darker genre roles to a lifetime of consuming science fiction, superhero, and horror stories.[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-26-interview-david-dastmalchian/)
## Late Night with the Devil
Dastmalchian's breakthrough as a lead came in *Late Night with the Devil*, directed by Australian brothers Cameron and Colin Cairnes. He plays Jack Delroy, a fictional 1970s Chicago talk show host trailing [Johnny Carson](https://www.edgepedia.org/johnny-carson) in the ratings, whose Halloween-night broadcast descends into a supernatural catastrophe. The film debuted at the SXSW Film Festival in 2023 and became distributor IFC Films' highest-grossing opening weekend ever with $2.8 million domestically; it was also the first project under Dastmalchian's Good Fiend Films.[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian)
Critics responded strongly to his performance. The Guardian called the role well deserved after years of character work, from a Harkonnen mentat in *Dune* to one of *Oppenheimer*'s detractors and *The Suicide Squad*'s Polka-Dot Man.[10](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/18/late-night-with-the-devil-review-demonic-talkshow-channels-horror-of-1970s-tv) Adam Nayman, writing in *Sight & Sound*, found the film's concept ingenious but its execution underwhelming, while praising Dastmalchian's use of his long-standing "that guy" status to play a career B-lister on the verge of the big time.[11](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/late-night-with-devil-underwhelming-horror-with-ingenious-concept) Others noted the performance proved he could carry a film as its anchor while maintaining his character-actor appeal.[12](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/late-night-with-the-devil-review-david-dastmalchian-shudder-streaming-theaters/) Dastmalchian prepared for the role by watching several hundred hours of late-night talk shows, from [Dick Cavett](https://www.edgepedia.org/dick-cavett) and Johnny Carson to the Australian host Don Lane, whom he called a major influence.[13](https://www.photobookmagazine.com/features/david-dastmalchian) The film's cultural reach extended to a *Treehouse of Horror* parody segment on *The Simpsons*.[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-26-interview-david-dastmalchian/)
## Comics writing
Dastmalchian's connection to comics predates his acting career. He bought his first comic book, *Avengers* #249, from a convenience store rack at age nine, and at twelve found a home at Clint's Comics in [Kansas City, Missouri](https://www.edgepedia.org/kansas-city-missouri).[14](https://geektyrant.com/news/my-interview-with-actor-david-dastmalchian-about-his-upcoming-comic-book-count-crowley)
His writing debut came in 2019 with *Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter* for Dark Horse Comics, a four-issue series about Jerri Bartman, a disgraced journalist who becomes a late-night horror host and discovers the monsters she presents are real.[5](https://comicbook.com/comics/news/david-dastmalchian-interview-count-crowley-suicide-squad/) He has described the story's demons as both external and internal, drawing on his own struggles with addiction and depression.[14](https://geektyrant.com/news/my-interview-with-actor-david-dastmalchian-about-his-upcoming-comic-book-count-crowley) The series ran to three volumes.[15](https://comicbook.com/comics/news/count-crowley-monster-hunter-david-dasmalchian-comic-teased/)
For DC he wrote *DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos*, which began publication in late 2024.[16](https://www.dc.com/talent/david-dastmalchian) For Image Comics he created *Knights vs. Samurai*, whose issues ran from October 2024 through April 2025 with a collected edition in October 2025.[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian) His other comics work includes the Ringo-nominated graphic novel *Through* from Z2 Comics, the co-created *Kingdom of Earth* from Dark Horse, *The Accessories* from Panick Entertainment, and upcoming stories in Marvel's *Venom* and an [M. Bison](https://www.edgepedia.org/m-bison) book from Legendary.[4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) • [17](https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/writer-artist/david-dastmalchian)
## Recent and upcoming work
In 2025 he appeared in Mike Flanagan's Stephen King adaptation *The Life of Chuck*, playing a grieving parent, and began starring as Gurathin in Apple TV+'s science-fiction comedic thriller series *Murderbot*, which debuted globally on May 16, 2025.[1](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian) • [18](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/the-life-of-chuck-star-discusses-screening-film-with-director-mike-flanagan-his-favorite-performances-from-the-stephen-king-adaptation-and-more) He plays Mr. 3 in Netflix's live-action *One Piece* and an assassin in [Bryan Fuller](https://www.edgepedia.org/bryan-fuller)'s *Dust Bunny*, which reached theaters on December 12, 2025.[4](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/) • [19](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/dust-bunny-actor-says-its-about-more-than-the-monsters-under-the-bed-its-about-the-world-trying-to-convince-us-that-were-alone)
His most prominent upcoming role is M. Bison, the villain of the video game franchise *Street Fighter*, in the adaptation directed by Kitao Sakurai.[2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/) Dastmalchian has described the role as one of the most terrifying things he has attempted, noting that fans have long imagined the character looking more like [Dwayne Johnson](https://www.edgepedia.org/dwayne-johnson) than like himself.[2](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/) To prepare, he curated a playlist of Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Joy Division, and [Nick Cave](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-cave) to enter the villain's mindset.[20](https://www.loudersound.com/culture/films-tv-shows/street-fighter-movie-channels-tool-nine-inch-nails-deftones) He has cited [Raul Julia](https://www.edgepedia.org/raul-julia)'s performance in the 1994 *Street Fighter* film as an inspiration, calling it one of the most iconic adaptation performances ever.[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-26-interview-david-dastmalchian/)
He also hosts and produces *Grave Conversations*, a YouTube talk show in which celebrities are interviewed in a casket; guests have included Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel, and [Matthew Lillard](https://www.edgepedia.org/matthew-lillard).[9](https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-26-interview-david-dastmalchian/)
## Personal life and public discussion of health
Dastmalchian has spoken publicly about mental health, saying in an interview with *NME* that he has battled depression for the majority of his life.[21](https://www.nme.com/features/film-interviews/david-dastmalchian-interview-the-suicide-squad-dune-3028785)
## References
1. [David Dastmalchian, Image Comics creator page](https://imagecomics.com/creators/david-dastmalchian)
2. [David Dastmalchian on 'Street Fighter,' Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, Backstage](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/david-dastmalchian-street-fighter-interview-80619/)
3. [David Dastmalchian movie and TV show recommendations, JustWatch](https://guides.justwatch.com/us/author/david-dastmalchian)
4. [David Dastmalchian, Baltimore Comic-Con guest page](https://baltimorecomiccon.com/guest/david-dastmalchian/)
5. [David Dastmalchian on Creating His First Comic, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/comics/news/david-dastmalchian-interview-count-crowley-suicide-squad/)
6. [David Dastmalchian, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2810287/)
7. ['They nailed the look of Mr. 3,' says One Piece actor David Dastmalchian, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/they-nailed-in-my-humble-opinion-the-look-of-mr-3-says-one-piece-actor-david-dastmalchian)
8. [David Dastmalchian could build his own Suicide Squad with all the villains he's played, The A.V. Club](https://www.avclub.com/david-dastmalchian-could-build-his-own-suicide-squad-wi-1847244605)
9. [Interview: David Dastmalchian reveals his bucket list of comic book supervillain roles, ComicsBeat](https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-26-interview-david-dastmalchian/)
10. [Late Night With the Devil review, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/18/late-night-with-the-devil-review-demonic-talkshow-channels-horror-of-1970s-tv)
11. [Late Night with the Devil: an underwhelming horror with an ingenious concept, Sight & Sound, BFI](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/late-night-with-devil-underwhelming-horror-with-ingenious-concept)
12. [Late Night With the Devil Review: David Dastmalchian Anchors a Fun Retro-Horror Movie, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/late-night-with-the-devil-review-david-dastmalchian-shudder-streaming-theaters/)
13. [David Dastmalchian, A Dynamic Force in the Entertainment World, PhotoBook Magazine](https://www.photobookmagazine.com/features/david-dastmalchian)
14. [Interview With Actor David Dastmalchian About His Upcoming Comic Book COUNT CROWLEY, GeekTyrant](https://geektyrant.com/news/my-interview-with-actor-david-dastmalchian-about-his-upcoming-comic-book-count-crowley)
15. [Count Crowley: David Dastmalchian Opens Up About the "Complex Journey" of Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/comics/news/count-crowley-monster-hunter-david-dasmalchian-comic-teased/)
16. [David Dastmalchian, DC.com talent page](https://www.dc.com/talent/david-dastmalchian)
17. [David Dastmalchian Comic Book Reviews, Comic Book RoundUp](https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/writer-artist/david-dastmalchian)
18. ['The Life of Chuck' star discusses screening film with director Mike Flanagan, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/the-life-of-chuck-star-discusses-screening-film-with-director-mike-flanagan-his-favorite-performances-from-the-stephen-king-adaptation-and-more)
19. [Dust Bunny actor says it's about more than the monsters under the bed, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/entertainment/dust-bunny-actor-says-its-about-more-than-the-monsters-under-the-bed-its-about-the-world-trying-to-convince-us-that-were-alone)
20. [How Street Fighter star David Dastmalchian channelled Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, LouderSound](https://www.loudersound.com/culture/films-tv-shows/street-fighter-movie-channels-tool-nine-inch-nails-deftones)
21. [David Dastmalchian: "I've battled depression the majority of my life," NME](https://www.nme.com/features/film-interviews/david-dastmalchian-interview-the-suicide-squad-dune-3028785)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames D to Di*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license