--- name: "Billy Magnussen" canonical: "https://film.one/person/billy-magnussen" fi1m_id: "billy-magnussen" imdb_id: "nm2915105" tmdb_id: 141034 wikidata_id: "Q794599" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 April 1985" reviewed_on_fi1m: 10 average_fi1m_score: 69 average_as: "actor" average_over: 10 updated: "2026-10-11T23:10:51.165322+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Billy Magnussen ## Identity Billy Magnussen - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billy-magnussen - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** billy-magnussen - **IMDb ID:** nm2915105 - **TMDB ID:** 141034 - **Wikidata ID:** Q794599 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Magnussen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q794599, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2915105/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/141034 Actor. Born 20 April 1985 in Woodhaven, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 April 1985, Woodhaven, New York, USA - **Active:** 2014–present - **Also known as:** William Gregory Magnussen - **Frequently works with:** [Dan Lin](https://film.one/person/dan-lin.md), [Jonathan Eirich](https://film.one/person/jonathan-eirich.md), [Zach Galifianakis](https://film.one/person/zach-galifianakis.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 10 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 74 (6), 2020s 62 (4) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 66 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 4, Thriller 3, Adventure 2, Family 2, Fantasy 2 - **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $3,378m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Magnussen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q794599, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2915105/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/141034 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Lilo & Stitch*](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md) (58), [*Aladdin*](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md) (57) - **AMC+:** [*The Audacity*](https://film.one/tv/the-audacity.md) (60) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Billy Magnussen > Billy Magnussen is the handsome man you are meant to distrust: the prince, the boyfriend, the henchman, played with a stretched grin and a visible need to be liked. Films have used him for a scene or two; the better parts have come on television. Billy Magnussen has a face that films do not trust. It is a large, square, handsome face, and he plays it as if he knows the effect it has and is not sure he deserves it: the jaw set, the eyes anxious, the grin arriving a beat early. He stretches it for comedy and holds it stiff for menace, and either way the man underneath is asking to be liked. He has said as much himself: "I’m not scared of playing the villain. My face is the villain. I didn’t get to choose it." He came up through a daytime soap, *As the World Turns*, from 2008 to 2010, and then the stage, where he originated Spike in *Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike* in 2012. *Into the Woods* (2014) put him in a prince's boots as Rapunzel's Prince, and for most of a decade afterwards he was the film industry's reliable prince, boyfriend and henchman: *Bridge of Spies* (2015), *Game Night* (2018), *Aladdin* (2019), *No Time to Die* (2021). Television gave him more to do, as Byron Gogol in *Made for Love* (2021), and the mid-2020s have brought bigger parts, in *Road House* (2024), *Lilo & Stitch* (2025) and the series *The Audacity* (2026). Our own reviews have caught him mostly at the edges, which is where the films put him. In *Bridge of Spies* his junior lawyer, Doug Forrester, is there to be told things, and Spielberg tells him a good many. In *No Time to Die* we did not find room to mention Logan Ash at all, which in a 163-minute film says something about the part rather than the actor. *Lilo & Stitch* is the one where he gets a proper go, as the alien Pleakley in human disguise, and we were glad of him: Zach Galifianakis seemed to have been asked to play Jumba rather than be funny as him, and Magnussen, in a bad shirt on a beach, was the one of the pair who behaved as though the joke was worth making. The complaint about him is fair and he knows it. He is cast for the hunk and the creep, and the parts lean on his body and his grin rather than on anything he might do with a whole story. Cary Joji Fukunaga, who directed *No Time to Die*, has used him twice, and what directors keep coming back for is the willingness: he will look ridiculous, and he will let you see the fear under the swagger. Critics who have followed him on television say he finds something human in men built to be disliked. Nothing in the films we have seen contradicts that, and none of them gave him enough to prove it either. Films have been using the face. Television has started asking what is behind it. We would like a film to ask. ## Biography Billy Magnussen is an American actor. He trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and made his Broadway debut in *The Ritz* (2007). He received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in *Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike* (2013). Magnussen has appeared in films including *Into the Woods* (2014), *Bridge of Spies* (2015), *The Big Short* (2015), *Game Night* (2018), *Aladdin* (2019), *No Time to Die* (2021) and *Road House* (2024). He played Pleakley in the live-action *Lilo & Stitch* (2025). His television work includes roles in *Black Mirror* (2011) and *Made for Love* (2021). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (10) - *The Audacity* (2026), Fi1m 60, as Duncan Park — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-audacity.md) - *The Social Reckoning* (2026), Fi1m 64, as Teddy Marks — [page](https://film.one/film/the-social-reckoning.md) - *Lilo & Stitch* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Pleakley — [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md) - *No Time to Die* (2021), Fi1m 67, as Logan Ash — [page](https://film.one/film/no-time-to-die.md) - *Aladdin* (2019), Fi1m 57, as Prince Anders — [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md) - *American Crime Story* (2016), Fi1m 78, as Kato Kaelin — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md) - *Bridge of Spies* (2015), Fi1m 75, as Doug Forrester — [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md) - *The Big Short* (2015), Fi1m 80, as Mortgage Broker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-short.md) - *Into the Woods* (2014), Fi1m 65, as Rapunzel's Prince — [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md) - *The Leftovers* (2014), Fi1m 87, as Marcus — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-leftovers.md) ## Complete filmography (72) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Social Reckoning* (2026), as Teddy — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-social-reckoning.md) - *The Audacity* (2026), series, as Duncan Park — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-audacity.md) - *Violent Ends* (2025), as Lucas Frost · Executive Producer - *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* (2025), as The Man - *Lilo & Stitch* (2025), as Pleakley — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch-2025.md) - *The Franchise* (2024), series, as Adam Randolph - *Coup!* (2024), as Jay Horton · Executive Producer - *Reunion* (2024), as Evan West - *I Could Dom* (2024), Executive Producer - *Road House* (2024), as Ben Brandt - *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Rod Bedford - *Lift* (2024), as Magnus - *Spy Kids: Armageddon* (2023), as Rey 'The King' Kingston - *The Offer* (2022), series, as Robert Redford - *The Survivor* (2022), as Schneider - *Family Squares* (2022), as Robert - *No Time to Die* (2021), as Logan Ash — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/no-time-to-die.md) - *The Many Saints of Newark* (2021), as Paulie Walnuts - *Made for Love* (2021), series, as Byron Gogol - *Woke* (2020), series, as Denny 'Dee Dee' Davis - *Aladdin* (2019), as Prince Anders — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/aladdin-2019.md) - *w4m* (2019), as Fern - *Velvet Buzzsaw* (2019), as Bryson - *Tell Me a Story* (2018), series, as Nick Sullivan - *The Oath* (2018), as Mason - *Maniac* (2018), series, as Jed Milgrim - *Game Night* (2018), as Ryan - *Birth of the Dragon* (2017), as Steve McKee - *Get Shorty* (2017), series, as Nathan Hill - *Ingrid Goes West* (2017), as Nicky Sloane - *Friends from College* (2017), series, as Sean - *The Meddler* (2016), as Ben - *American Crime Story* (2016), series, as Kato Kaelin — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md) - *The Big Short* (2015), as Mortgage Broker — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-short.md) - *I Smile Back* (2015), as Zach (uncredited) - *Bridge of Spies* (2015), as Doug Forrester — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md) - *The Great Gilly Hopkins* (2015), as Ellis - *A Mighty Nice Man* (2015), as Robbie - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Russ Snyder — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) - *Into the Woods* (2014), as Rapunzel's Prince — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md) - *Revenge of the Green Dragons* (2014), as Detective Boyer - *Surviving Family* (2014), as Alex D'Amico - *The Leftovers* (2014), series, as Marcus — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-leftovers.md) - *Walking Stories* (2013), as Chip - *The East* (2013), as Porty McCabe - *2nd Serve* (2012), as Lingo - *The Brass Teapot* (2012), as Arnie - *Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike* (2012), as Spike - *Damsels in Distress* (2012), as Thor - *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Karl Plowman / Valdak, Karl Plowman — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md) - *The Lost Valentine* (2011), as Neil Thomas - *Choose* (2011), as Paul - *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Rand Hilbert - *Boardwalk Empire* (2010), series, as Roger McAllister — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/boardwalk-empire.md) - *Twelve* (2010), as Claude Kenton - *Happy Tears* (2009), as Ray - *Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet* (2009), as Eric - *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Cpl Allen Reed - *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Chris Fife — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) - *The Beautiful Life: TBL* (2009), series, as Alex Marinelli - *Eyeborgs* (2009), as DHS Agent #1 - *In Plain Sight* (2008), series, as Jonathan Collins / Yonni Peterschwim - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Marc Landry - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Michael Crenshaw - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Cody Larson — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Chariot*, as Producer - *Hot Ted*, as Ted · Producer - *Buzzkill*, as Sheriff Red · Producer - *Mattress Mack*, as Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale - *Woodrow Wilson*, as Randy - *Unwanted*, Producer - *The Ridge*, Director, Writer ## Gallery - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-86b199857dc0.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/CES_2026_-_Billy_Magnussen_03_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-CES_2026_-_Billy_Magnussen_03_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-71fadd773378.jpg) Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity — Elyot Boudart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity%2C_new_series.jpg/1280px-Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity%2C_new_series.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-146c30738830.jpg) Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity — Elyot Boudart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity.jpg/1280px-Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-cfecc6428f61.jpg) Billy Magnussen at Serie mania 2026 for The Audacity — Elyot Boudart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity_with_fans.jpg/1280px-Billy_Magnussen_at_Serie_mania_2026_for_The_Audacity_with_fans.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-2f3f9177a49d.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-cd1e54d6f063.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-18f88453c034.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Image via TMDB - ![Cropped version of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CodyHornBillyMagnussenNov2010.jpg](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-8579107f384d.jpg) Cropped version of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CodyHornBillyMagnussenNov2010.jpg — Joella Marano at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellasportfolio/, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Billymagnusen.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Magnussen at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, NV for [First Look: Go Behind the Scenes of The Audacity]](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-1ea5dc4c91af.jpg) Billy Magnussen at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, NV for [First Look: Go Behind the Scenes of The Audacity] — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/CES_2026_-_Billy_Magnussen_01.jpg/1280px-CES_2026_-_Billy_Magnussen_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-a79f4eafc1dc.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Magnussen](https://film.one/media/person/8473/gallery-53c4bbd327ff.jpg) Billy Magnussen — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 2013: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/billy-magnussen