# Michael Angarano
**Michael Angarano** (full name Michael Anthony Angarano; born 1987) is an American actor, director, and writer who began performing as a child in the 1990s and is known for roles in *Almost Famous*, *Sky High*, *The Knick*, and *This Is Us*, and for writing, directing, and starring in the road-trip comedy *Sacramento* (2024).[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987, Brooklyn, New York; full name Michael Anthony Angarano[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) |
| Start in the business | Signed with Ford Models at age five; feature film debut as a three-year-old cowboy in *I'm Not Rappaport* (1996)[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) |
| Breakout child roles | Nick in *Music of the Heart* (1999) opposite Meryl Streep; young William in *Almost Famous* (2000); Will Stronghold in *Sky High* (2005)[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) |
| Signature television role | Nicky Pearson, Jack's brother, on *This Is Us* (2018–2021); Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, 2019[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) |
| Directing | *Avenues* (premiered 2017) and *Sacramento* (2024), both of which he also wrote and starred in[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) • [4](https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/sacramento-release-date-trailer-cast-and-everything-we-know-about-the-michael-cera-comedy) |
| Recent work | Robert Serber in *Oppenheimer* (2023); Sam Amirante in *Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy* (2025)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) • [5](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/his-chilling-transformation-into-serial-killer-john-wayne-gacy/) |
## Early life and child career
Angarano was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Mike Angarano, an owner of dance studios, and Doreen Angarano, a dance school director and teacher.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) He signed with [Ford Models](https://www.edgepedia.org/ford-models) at age five and began acting soon after, with early work including a guest role on the CBS drama *New York News* (1995) and a turn as Tiny Tim in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) As a child model in New York City he also appeared in commercials for [McDonald's](https://www.edgepedia.org/mcdonalds) and other products.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno)
His feature film debut came in *I'm Not Rappaport* (1996), playing a three-year-old cowboy, followed by roles in three more films before a recurring part on the daytime soap *Another World*.[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) In 1999 he played [Meryl Streep](https://www.edgepedia.org/meryl-streep)'s violin-playing son in [Wes Craven](https://www.edgepedia.org/wes-craven)'s *Music of the Heart*, a performance that brought YoungStar Award and [Young Artist Award](https://www.edgepedia.org/young-artist-award) nominations; he learned the violin for the role.[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) • [6](https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/michael-angarano-get-to-know-new-this-is-us-actor/)
## Transition to young adult roles
**[Cameron Crowe](https://www.edgepedia.org/cameron-crowe)'s *Almost Famous* (2000)** cast Angarano as the childhood version of William Miller, the character played as a young man by [Patrick Fugit](https://www.edgepedia.org/patrick-fugit), sharing scenes with [Frances McDormand](https://www.edgepedia.org/frances-mcdormand).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) He then played the title role in the Nickelodeon television movie *Maniac Magee* (2003) and young Red Pollard, Tobey Maguire's character in flashback, in the Oscar-nominated *Seabiscuit* (2003).[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/) • [6](https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/michael-angarano-get-to-know-new-this-is-us-actor/)
His first leading film role was Will Stronghold, the son of two superheroes, in Disney's *Sky High* (2005).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) [Independent film](https://www.edgepedia.org/independent-film) work followed through the late 2000s, including Arthur Parkinson in *Snow Angels* (2007) and roles in *Black Irish* and *Man in the Chair*, for the last of which he won the Time Warner Cable John Garfield Best Actor Award at Method Fest in 2007 and shared the festival's best ensemble cast award.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) In 2010 he played [Sam Davis](https://www.edgepedia.org/sam-davis), an unpublished children's book writer in love with an older woman played by [Uma Thurman](https://www.edgepedia.org/uma-thurman), in Max Winkler's debut film *Ceremony*; he had originally been attached as the best friend opposite Jesse Eisenberg and took the lead role when Eisenberg dropped out.[7](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/michael-angarano-interview/)
## Television career
Angarano's television work spans both comedy and drama. He played Elliot, the son of Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes), in a recurring role on NBC's *Will & Grace* between 2001 and 2006, joining the show at the height of its popularity when he was 13.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) • [8](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-st-michael-angarano-this-is-us-emmy-chat-20190411-story.html) He later had a four-episode arc on Fox's *24* in 2007 and guest appearances on *E.R.*, *CSI*, *Less Than Perfect*, *Summerland*, and *Kevin Hill*.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
**[Steven Soderbergh](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-soderbergh)'s *[The Knick](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-knick)*** (2014–2015) cast him as Dr. Bertram "Bertie" Chickering Jr., an eager surgeon-in-training at the Knickerbocker Hospital who gives up a wealthy uptown practice to learn from a groundbreaking surgeon, opposite [Clive Owen](https://www.edgepedia.org/clive-owen) and Eve Hewson.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) He then starred in the Showtime drama *I'm Dying Up Here*, set in the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
His most recognized television role came on NBC's *This Is Us*, where he played Nicky Pearson, the presumed-dead younger brother of Jack Pearson ([Milo Ventimiglia](https://www.edgepedia.org/milo-ventimiglia)), in an arc involving the Vietnam War and its aftermath across seven episodes from 2018 to 2021.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) • [8](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-st-michael-angarano-this-is-us-emmy-chat-20190411-story.html) The performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2019.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) Later television credits include the Peacock limited series *Angelyne* (2022), the Starz comedy *Minx* (2022, ten episodes as Glenn), the Peacock series *Laid* (2024, as Richie), and the mini-series *A Teacher* (2020).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
## Directing: Avenues and Sacramento
Angarano made his film directorial debut with *Avenues*, which he also wrote and starred in; the film premiered at the Montclair Film Festival in May 2017 and opened the Lower East Side Film Festival in June 2017.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) Critic John Fink of The Film Stage described it as "a spirited, micro-budget indie that recalls the New York City-based work of early Woody Allen with notes of John Cassavetes, Whit Stillman, and the Safdie brothers thrown in for good measure."[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
**Sacramento** (2024) is his second feature as director. He co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Nicholas Smith and stars as Rickey, a free-spirited man who, after his father's death, convinces his long-time friend Glenn (Michael Cera) to abandon domestic life for an impromptu road trip across California; Kristen Stewart and Maya Erskine round out the lead cast.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) • [4](https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/sacramento-release-date-trailer-cast-and-everything-we-know-about-the-michael-cera-comedy) The film premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and received strong reviews for its acting, writing, and direction.[9](https://nextbestpicture.com/the-next-best-picture-podcast-interview-with-sacramento-filmmaker-michael-angarano/) It opened in US theaters on April 11, 2025, distributed by Vertical Entertainment, with a 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes as of that date.[4](https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/sacramento-release-date-trailer-cast-and-everything-we-know-about-the-michael-cera-comedy) Angarano has said the story draws on a real road trip he took with co-writer Smith, and that the script matured once the pair began writing from Glenn's perspective.[9](https://nextbestpicture.com/the-next-best-picture-podcast-interview-with-sacramento-filmmaker-michael-angarano/) • [10](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sacramento-movie-michael-cera-michael-angarano-interview/) In interviews he has described the film as highlighting men's mental health and the value of adult friendships.[11](https://abcnews.com/video/120385502/)
## Recent work
Angarano played physicist Robert Serber in Christopher Nolan's *Oppenheimer* (2023) and Walt in Kevin Costner's *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1* (2024).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) In 2025 he starred as Sam Amirante, Gacy's defense attorney, in the eight-part Peacock limited series *Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy*, opposite Michael Chernus in the title role; the series names each episode after one of Gacy's victims and focuses on the victims' families and the investigative failures that let the killer evade law enforcement for years.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/) • [5](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/his-chilling-transformation-into-serial-killer-john-wayne-gacy/) He was listed as a contender for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie on the Television Academy's 2026 performer ballot for the role.[12](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/performer-2026-v3.pdf) He is also cast as Mark Gable in the series *Margo's Got Money Troubles* (2026).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
## Personal life
Angarano dated actress Kristen Stewart from 2005 to 2009 after the two met on the set of the film *Speak* (2004), in which he played David Petrakis.[6](https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/michael-angarano-get-to-know-new-this-is-us-actor/) • [1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno) He is married to actress Maya Erskine, his co-star in *Sacramento*.[9](https://nextbestpicture.com/the-next-best-picture-podcast-interview-with-sacramento-filmmaker-michael-angarano/) His family relocated from New York to California because of his childhood work schedule; his younger sister and brother, Erica and Andrew, also became actors.[3](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/)
## References
1. [Angarano, Michael 1987– , Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television via Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angarano-michael-1987-michael-argarno)
2. [Michael Angarano, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029400/)
3. [Michael Angarano Biography, Tribute.ca](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/michael-angarano/13175/)
4. [Sacramento: how to watch, reviews, trailer, cast and everything we know, What to Watch](https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/sacramento-release-date-trailer-cast-and-everything-we-know-about-the-michael-cera-comedy)
5. [His Chilling Transformation Into Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy, The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/his-chilling-transformation-into-serial-killer-john-wayne-gacy/)
6. [Who Is Michael Angarano? Everything to Know About the Actor Playing Jack's Brother on 'This Is Us', Us Weekly](https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/michael-angarano-get-to-know-new-this-is-us-actor/)
7. [Michael Angarano interview on 'Ceremony', Daily Actor](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/michael-angarano-interview/)
8. [Michael Angarano of 'This Is Us' on playing out the tragic tale of Nick, Jack's brother, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-st-michael-angarano-this-is-us-emmy-chat-20190411-story.html)
9. [The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With "Sacramento" Filmmaker Michael Angarano](https://nextbestpicture.com/the-next-best-picture-podcast-interview-with-sacramento-filmmaker-michael-angarano/)
10. ['Sacramento' Interview: Michael Angarano And Chris Smith, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sacramento-movie-michael-cera-michael-angarano-interview/)
11. [Michael Angarano describes newest film as 'It never stopped being fun', ABC News](https://abcnews.com/video/120385502/)
12. [Television Academy Awards, Performer Ballot 2026](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/performer-2026-v3.pdf)
---
*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 A to At*
*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