An alumnus of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Faist began his acting career in 2011 in Disney's Newsies, appearing in its Broadway production (2012–2013). He continued to appear in several independent films, television series and starring in Off-Broadway productions before his breakthrough role in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen (2015–2018), for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
In 2021, Faist starred in the series Panic and had his first major film part as Riff, the leader of the Jets, in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, for which he received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He has since played Jack Twist in a West End theatre production of Brokeback Mountain (2023).
Faist portrayed photographer Danny Lyon in Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders opposite Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. Faist starred with Zendaya and Josh O'Connor in Luca Guadagnino's romantic drama Challengers.
It was announced that Faist would return to the stage acting opposite in Michelle Williams in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's play Anna Christie at St. Ann's Warehouse with performances running from November 25 to February 1, 2026. He was set to star alongside Colin Farrell in The DC Universe film Sgt. Rock until the film was put on hold during pre-production.
Mike Faist, Dear Evan Hansen
Mike Faist has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.
Mike Faist has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Dear Evan Hansen.
Mike Faist's first West End show was Brokeback Mountain which opened in 2023
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