John Cariani

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John Cariani BIO

ohn is an award-winning actor and an accomplished playwright. He is probably best known for his role as CSU Tech Julian Beck on television's Law & Order, and for his performance as Motel the Tailor in the 2004 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof for which he received a Tony Award nomination and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
As an actor, he has appeared on and off Broadway, in several films and television shows, and at regional theaters across the country. He got his first break when he was cast in the off-Broadway play It's My Party (And I'll Die if I want To), starring Joyce Van Patten and Academy Award Winner F. Murray Abraham.
In 2004, he made his Broadway debut as Motel the tailor in the Broadway Revival of "Fiddler on the Roof" starring Alfred Molina. His performance earned him an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award nomination.
John is also a successful film and television actor. He has shared the screen with such legends as Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Edward Asner. He is probably best known for his work on television. From 2002-2007, he played CSU Tech Julian Beck on NBC's long-running drama Law & Order. He also had recurring roles as Professor Otto Bahnoff in the final season of CBS' Numb3rs 2005 and as reporter Michael Falk on the IFC's The Onion News Network.
As a playwright, John he is best known for his first play, Almost, Maine, which premiered at Portland Stage Company in 2004, opened Off Broadway in 2006, and is now featured in Smith and Kraus' New Playwrights: Best Plays of 2006. Since it's debut off-Broadway, Almost, Maine has become one of the most frequently produced plays in the United States, with nearly 2000 productions to date. It has also been translated into eight languages.
His second play, cul-de-sac premiered off-Broadway in April of 2006 in a Transport Group production. His third play, Last Gas and Love/Sick premiered at Portland Stage Company in 2010 and 2013, respectively, and are in negotiations for off Broadway engagements.
Originally from Presque Isle, Maine, John is a graduate of Amherst College, and now lives in New York City.

John Cariani Photos

John Cariani STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway Revival, 2021
Stuart Gellman

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Broadway Center Stage Revival, 2019
Marcellus Washburn

[Off-Broadway]
Transport Group Concert Production, 2018
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Transport Group Concert Production, 2017
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
Itzik

[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theater Company Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2016
Itzik

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Nigel Bottom

[Off-Broadway]
Transport Group Revival, 2014
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2005
Speed

Speed

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Hershel [Replacement]

Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Motel

[Off-Broadway]
1999
Performer

Writing

Playwright

John Cariani Movies

[2001]Kissing Jessica Stein Chuck

[2001]Scotland, Pa. Ed the Cop

[2001]The Shaft Security Guard Gary

[2002]Showtime Charlie Hertz

[2003]Robot Stories Salesman

[2004]Messengers Derek the Cop

[2011]Certainty Odd Interviewer

[2012]Elephant Sighs Joel

[2013]Sleeping with the Fishes Louis Belsky

[2014]Child of Grace Ollie

[2014]Deliver Us from Evil Zookeeper

[2018]Thrasher Road TSA Supervisor


John Cariani TV Shows

Law & Order CSU Technician Julian Beck

Law & Order: Criminal Intent Frank, Perry

Numb3rs Otto Bahnoff, Otto Bahnhoff

John Cariani Videos

John Cariani News


Photos: Life Jacket Theatre Company Presents Industry Reading of New Musical, THE GORGEOUS NOTHINGS

See photos of Life Jacket Theatre Company's industry reading of its new musical, The Gorgeous Nothings, at New York Live Arts. 

THE DOCTOR Debuts in Hong Kong at HK Rep in March

The Doctor will debut in Hong Kong at HK Rep next month. The play dissects the furtive surface of our murky world, throwing down the gauntlet in search of truth for both cast and audience alike. Performances run 16 March - 1 April 2024.

Hedgerow Theatre Extends Production Of Enda Walsh's THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM

Hedgerow Theatre Company is currently presenting The New Electric Ballroom, a modern classic from the pen of Irish playwright Enda Walsh. Learn more about the extension here!

The Provincetown Theater Reveals 2024 Season; ANGELS IN AMERICA, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and More!

The Provincetown Theater has announced its roster of productions for its 2024 season in Provincetown, MA. Season Subscriptions for 2024 are now on sale. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

Life Jacket Theatre Company's New Musical, THE GORGEOUS NOTHINGS Will Receive an Industry Reading

Life Jacket Theatre Company presents an industry reading of its new musical, The Gorgeous Nothings, at New York Live Arts on February 12, 2024 at 3PM and 7PM.

ANGELS IN AMERICA & More Set For Provincetown Theater 2024 Season

The Provincetown Theater has revealed its productions for its 2024 season in Provincetown, MA, the historic birthplace of Modern American Theater.

Take A Trip To ALMOST, MAINE At The Blue Moon Theatre

Celebrate Valentines Day with a story of love, loss, friendship, and hope under the magical light of Aurora Borealis at The Blue Moon Theatre by seeing 'Almost, Maine' by John Cariani.

Hedgerow Theatre to Kick Off The New Year With Enda Walsh's THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM

Hedgerow Theatre presents Enda Walsh’s The New Electric Ballroom, a modern classic that explores the complexities of women of a certain age. Directed by Emma Gibson, this production features an all-female design and production team.

Review: TALE AS OLD AS TIME Salutes Howard Ashman with Style at 92NY (The 92nd ST. Y)

The Lyrics & Lyricists program embraces the words that Howard Ashman put in the mouths of a mermaid, cutler, a beat, a plant, etc.

Review: LITTLE BY LITTLE, CUT TOO SHORT, & BROADWAY BOUND Bring Some Pleasures To 54 Below

These three evenings at 54 Below celebrated what some might cavalierly dismiss as missable musical theatre “also-rans,” but they’d be missing out

Photos: Inside Royal Family Production's Sweet Sixteen Kick-Off Gala

Go inside Royal Family Production’s Sweet Sixteen Kick-Off gala, where they previewed their upcoming productions for their sixteenth season. The event was held October 2nd at their Times Square location with Kathleen Chalfant (Tony nominee, Angels in America) as host for the evening. Check out photos here!

HERE LIES LOVE SINGS THE SONGS OF J. OCONER, Linda Eder And More Next Week At 54 Below

Next week at 54 Below, the cast of 'Here Lies Love' will be performing the songs of J. Oconer Navar. Don't miss this incredible musical experience!

Norbert Leo Butz, Linda Eder, and More to Play 54 Below Next Month

Check out the lineup of incredible performances at 54 Below this month!

LOVE/SICK - A Collection of Darkly Funny One-Act Plays to be Presented at Sinclair Theatre

Sinclair Theatre will present LOVE/SICK, Oct. 6-14 in Sinclair's Black Box Theatre on the fourth floor of Building 2 on the downtown Dayton campus.

Christian Borle Will Direct John Cariani, Heather Ayers & More in Howard Ashman Tribute Concert at 92NY

The 92nd Street Y, New York is presenting the Lyrics and Lyricists 2023/24 season opener Tale as Old as Time: The Songs of Howard Ashman. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Photos: Inside Opening Night of Theresa Rebeck's DIG

PRIMARY STAGES and 59E59 Theaters just celebrated opening night of Dig, a new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck. Check out photos from opening night!

Spotlighters Announces THE WOLVES And More For 61st Season

Spotlighters will offer an amazing selection of great theatre for its 61st Season! The season is focused on Nurture & Compassion, on Balance & Harmony.

Estelle Parsons, Rachel Dratch & John Cariani Join BROADWAY BOUND 4 at 54 Below

54 Below will be presenting the fourth edition of Broadway Bound: The Musicals That Never Came To Broadway on Friday, October 13th, at 7:00pm at 54 Below.

Kate Burton, John Cariani & More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival Performances

Get the latest updates on the star-studded performances at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, including appearances by Kate Burton, John Cariani, and more. Find out when and where you can catch these exciting shows.

Wake Up With BWW 7/20: HERE LIES LOVE Opens, GREY HOUSE Sets Closing Date, and More!

Top stories: Here Lies Love opens tonight, Wicked film release date unaffected by SAG-AFTRA strike, Grey House sets closing date, and more.

John Cariani FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

John Cariani has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

John Cariani has not appeared in the West End.

John Cariani has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Something Rotten! and Fiddler on the Roof. He was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Fiddler on the Roof.

John Cariani won the Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance in Fiddler on the Roof.

John Cariani has written 1 shows including Almost, Maine (Playwright).

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