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Jason Biggs

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Jason Biggs
Biggs at PaleyFest 2014 panel for Orange Is the New Black
Biggs at PaleyFest 2014 panel for Orange Is the New Black
Born
Jason Matthew Biggs

(1978-05-12) May 12, 1978 (age 46)
Pompton Plains, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1991–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2008)​
Children2

Jason Matthew Biggs (born May 12, 1978) is an American actor. The accolades he has received include a Screen Actors Guild Award, alongside nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and a Satellite Award.

In film, Biggs is best known his lead role as Jim Levenstein in the American Pie film series (1999–2012). His other notable lead credits include Loser (2000), Saving Silverman (2001), Anything Else (2003), My Best Friend's Girl (2008), Life Happens (2011), Grassroots (2012), and Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023).

In television, Biggs is known for his lead roles as the voice of Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2014) and Larry Bloom in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2014; 2017; 2019). His other television lead credits include Drexell's Class (1991–1992), Total Security (1997), Mad Love (2011), and Outmatched (2020). He had a supporting role on the soap opera As the World Turns (1994–1995). He hosted the Blue Ribbon Baking Championship on Netflix (2024).

Early life and education

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Jason Matthew Biggs[1] was born on May 12, 1978,[2] in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, to Angela (née Zocco), a nurse, and Gary Louis Biggs, a shipping company manager.[3][4] His father is of English and Italian descent and his mother is of Sicilian descent. His last name is derived from his English ancestry.[3] He was raised Roman Catholic.[5]

Biggs grew up in Hasbrouck Heights and attended Hasbrouck Heights High School,[6][7] where he achieved success in tennis.[8] He attended New York University before transferring to Montclair State University, where he eventually dropped out.[9]

Career

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Biggs at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2006

Biggs began acting at the age of five. In 1991, he made his television debut in the short lived FOX series Drexell's Class.

In 1988, aged 10, he received his Screen Actors Guild card for appearing in a TV commercial for Pathmark. He later recalled in a 2015 interview in TV Guide, "I remember I had to eat a doughnut in one of the shots. Over and over again. Awesome."[10]

When Biggs was 12, he starred in a one-off HBO special, The Maalek Story, but due to licensing arguments, it was never aired. That same year, Biggs debuted on Broadway in Conversations with My Father with Judd Hirsch.[11] He then starred in the daytime soap opera, As the World Turns, for which he was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Best Younger Actor.[12]

Biggs attended New York University briefly from 1996 to 1997, but soon afterwards, he left to pursue acting. And soon he would be seen again in another short lived television series, 1997's Camp Stories. He starred in American Pie, which went on to become an international hit that has spawned three sequels (also starring Biggs) and four spinoffs (that did not star Biggs). He accepted starring roles in movies such as Loser in 2000, and others. He also starred (along with his Loser co-star Mena Suvari) in the music video for the song "Teenage Dirtbag" by American rock band Wheatus. In 2001, Biggs starred in the comedy Saving Silverman.

He appeared in the 2002 Broadway production of The Graduate as Benjamin Braddock alongside Kathleen Turner and Alicia Silverstone. In 2003, Biggs appeared as Jerry Falk in the Woody Allen romantic comedy Anything Else. In the 2004–2005 season, Biggs portrayed an Orthodox Jew in Daniel Goldfarb's comedy, Modern Orthodox, staged at Dodger Stages theater in New York City. In 2006, Biggs was seen in the MTV reality show Blowin' Up with Jamie Kennedy and Stu Stone which led to his participation in a hip-hop recording with Bay Area rapper E-40. Biggs returned to the stage in the fall of 2008 in Howard Korder's Boys' Life at New York City's Second Stage Theatre.

Biggs has appeared in several other films, including Eight Below and Over Her Dead Body. In 2010, Biggs made his literary debut by contributing "Scratch-and-Sniff", a poem about growing up in New Jersey, to the anthology, What's Your Exit? A Literary Detour through New Jersey (Word Riot Press, 2010). In 2012, he contributed to the anthology Oy! Only Six? Why Not More: Six-Word Memoirs on Jewish Life with the self-ironic article "This is a Roman nose, OK?" (Biggs is not Jewish.) A year later, Larry Smith, the editor of the anthology, and creator of Six-Word Memoirs, would be the basis for Bigg's Orange Is the New Black character Larry Bloom. He departed the series in February 2015 after two seasons.[13]

Biggs in 2012 at the American Reunion premiere in Sydney, Australia

Biggs reprised his role as Jim Levenstein in American Reunion, which was released on April 6, 2012. In the summer of 2012, Biggs took a job voicing Leonardo on Nickelodeon in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He left the series during its second season and was temporarily replaced by Dominic Catrambone.[14] Seth Green permanently took over the role from Biggs beginning in season 3, with Leonardo's voice change being explained in the show's universe, as it was due to his throat getting injured in a battle against Shredder.[15] Biggs also plays the cowbell in the supergroup Yukon Kornelius.[16]

It was announced in September 2014, that Biggs would star on Broadway in The Heidi Chronicles.[17] The play opened on March 19.

In December 2014, The Hollywood Reporter announced Biggs was cast to star in the comedy Amateur Night. Biggs plays a well-meaning expectant father who unwittingly accepts a job chauffeuring prostitutes (Janet Montgomery, Ashley Tisdale) around Los Angeles. Jenny Mollen, who is Biggs' wife in real life, appears as his wife in the film.[18]

In 2023, Biggs starred as Rob Sanders in the Netflix Christmas-themed film Best. Christmas. Ever. alongside Brandy, Heather Graham and Matt Cedeño.[19]

Personal life

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Biggs grew up Catholic.[5][20][21]

In January 2008, he became engaged to his My Best Friend's Girl co-star, actress Jenny Mollen; they married on April 23, 2008.[22][unreliable source?] They have a son, Sid, who was born on February 15, 2014.[23] Their second son, Lazlo, was born on October 2, 2017.[24][25] Biggs and Mollen sold their house in Los Angeles, California, which was situated near the Sunset Strip, in 2015[26] and moved to Manhattan, New York City. The family resides in the West Village, as of 2017.[27]

From 2012 to 2014, Biggs regularly caused controversy with his posts on Twitter, including sexual jokes about Ann Romney and Janna Ryan in response to the 2012 Republican National Convention,[28] joking about the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014,[29] joking about Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down later that year,[30] and mocking the death of The Bachelorette contestant Eric Hill.[31][32] In a 2012 interview, Biggs stated that he has "a very fucked up sense of humor" and said he enjoyed the ability to "surprise people on a daily basis" on Twitter because his real personality is so different from those of the characters he usually plays.[33] He apologized for and deleted his tweet about Malaysian Flight 17; in a later interview he said that it had led to death threats against him.[34]

In 2023, Biggs and his wife Mollen both signed the "No Hostage Left Behind Letter", an open letter to US President Joe Biden calling for the release of all hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel.[35]

Filmography

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Film

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Boy
The Boy Who Cried Bitch Robert
1997 Camp Stories Abby
1999 American Pie Jim Levenstein
Detroit Rock City Student/Guy in Red Track Suit uncredited
2000 Boys and Girls Hunter/Steve
Loser Paul Tannek
2001 Saving Silverman Darren Silverman
American Pie 2 Jim Levenstein
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Himself Cameo
Prozac Nation Rafe
2003 American Wedding Jim Levenstein
Anything Else Jerry Falk
2004 Jersey Girl Arthur Brickman
2005 Guy X Corporal Rudy Spruance
2006 Farce of the Penguins Insecure Penguin Voice
Eight Below Charlie Cooper
Wedding Daze Anderson
2007 The Glitch Alan Short film
2008 Over Her Dead Body Dan Sianidis
My Best Friend's Girl Dustin
Lower Learning Tom Willoman
2009 Kidnapping Caitlynn Max Short film
2010 Remember Me Jim Levenstein Archive footage; uncredited
The Third Rule Don Short film
2011 Life Happens Sergei
Grassroots Phil Campbell
2012 American Reunion Jim Levenstein Also executive producer
2016 Amateur Night Guy Carter
2017 Who We Are Now Vince
2018 Dear Dictator Mr. Spines
2019 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Himself
2020 The Subject Phil Waterhouse
2021 Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage Himself Documentary; Archive footage; uncredited
2023 Best. Christmas. Ever. Rob Sanders
2024 The 4:30 Movie Construction Worker
2025 Getaway[36] Kevin Stanwell also director; filming

Television

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
1990 The Fotis Sevastakis Story Television film; Unaired
1991–1992 Drexell's Class Willie Trancas Main role; 14 episodes
1994–1995 As the World Turns Pete Wendall Recurring role; 7 episodes
1997 Total Security Robbie Rosenfeld Main role; 13 episodes (7 unaired)
2001 The Andy Dick Show Himself 2 episodes
2002 Off Centre Rick Steve Episode: "The Good, the Bad and the Lazy"
2004 Frasier Dr. Hauck Episode: "Goodnight, Seattle: Part 2"
Sesame Street Himself Episode: "Baby Bear Tries to Make Curly Sleep"
2005 Will & Grace Baby Glenn Episode: "The Hole Truth"
2006 Blowin' Up Himself Episode: "The Break-Up"
2007 I'm in Hell Nick Television film; Also producer
2009 Happiness Isn't Everything Jason Hamburger CBS pilot; Also producer
2011 Mad Love Ben Parr Main role; 13 episodes; Also producer
2012–2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leonardo / Rat Man Freak (voice) Main role (season 1–2)
Episode: "Of Rats and Men" (Rat Man Freak voice)
2012–2013 The Good Wife Dylan Stack 2 episodes
2012 8 Out of 10 Cats Himself Episode: "Episode #14.2"
2013–2014; 2017; 2019 Orange Is the New Black Larry Bloom Main role (season 1–2), guest (season 5), recurring (season 7)
30 episodes
2014 Hollywood Game Night Himself Episode: "Game Night: Behind Bars"
Deadbeat Reed Kelly Episode: "Out-Of-Body Issues"
2016 Nightcap Himself Episode: "Mean Guest"
2017 The Good Fight Dylan Stack Episode: "Chaos"
Angry Angel Himself Television film
2018 The Wendy Williams Show Himself (Host) Episode: "Brian Balthazar; Jason Biggs"
2019 The Bachelorette Himself (Guest) Episode: "Week 3"
2020 Outmatched Mike Main role; 10 episodes
The Masked Singer Guest panelist Episode: "The Playoffs: Group A"
2021 Cherries Wild Himself (host) Main role
Jason Biggs' Cash At Your Door Himself (host) Main role
2022 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Det. Andy Parlato-Goldstein 2 episodes

Music videos

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Music videos
Year Title Artist Role
2000 "Teenage Dirtbag" Wheatus Nerd

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1995 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series As the World Turns Nominated
Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Male Newcomer Nominated
2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actor – Newcomer American Pie Nominated
MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Comedic Performance Nominated
Breakthrough Male Performance Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Film – Choice Actor Nominated
Film – Choice Chemistry Nominated
Film – Wipeout Scene of the Summer Loser Nominated
Young Hollywood Awards Best Ensemble Cast American Pie Won
2002 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Kiss (shared with Seann William Scott) American Pie 2 Won
Best Line Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor – Comedy Nominated
2004 Choice Movie Hissy Fit American Wedding Nominated
Choice Movie Liplock (shared with Alyson Hannigan) Nominated
2005 Taormina International Film Festival Best Actor Guy X Won
2012 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor – Comedy American Reunion Nominated
2014 Satellite Awards Best Cast – Television Series Orange is the New Black Nominated
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2020 Breckenridge Festival of Film Best Actor[37] The Subject Won
San Antonio Film Festival Best Actor Won
Loudoun Arts Film Festival Best Actor[38] Won

Theater

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Theatre
Year Title Role Theatre Notes
1991–93 Conversations with My Father Young Joey Royale Theatre
2002 The Graduate Benjamin Braddock Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
2004–05 Modern Orthodox Dodger Stages Theatre
2008 Boys' Life Second Stage Theater
2015 The Heidi Chronicles Scoop Rosenbaum Music Box Theatre

References

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  1. ^ Mosiello, Laura; Reynolds, Susan (February 18, 2009). The Portable Italian Mamma: Guilt, Pasta, and When Are You Giving Me Grandchildren?. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4405-2039-6.
  2. ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (May 12, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for May 12, 2023 includes celebrities Emilio Estevez, Emily VanCamp". cleveland. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kevin Pollak interview: KPCS Jason Biggs #145. kevinpollakschatshow. YouTube. (32 minute mark)
  4. ^ "Assunta "Susan" (Furno) BIGGS". NorthJersey.com. July 11, 2010
  5. ^ a b Pfefferman, Naomi (August 9, 2001). "A Nice Not-Jewish Boy". Jewish Journal. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  6. ^ McKinley, Jesse. "THEATER; Bye, Bye 'American Pie'; Mrs. Robinson Is Calling", The New York Times, March 31, 2002. Accessed March 3, 2008. "Unlike that character, Mr. Biggs was proving to be a pretty normal teenager, playing high school tennis and holding a series of menial jobs (flower delivery boy, sandwich maker, guitarist in think big, food and beverage manager at the Sherman theatre, kitchen staff at a hospital). In 1996, he graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School and started at New York University, where he enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences."
  7. ^ "Jason Biggs is Hot" Archived January 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. TeenHollywood.com, October 13, 2000
  8. ^ Della Cava, Marco R. (July 25, 2000). "Acting dreams no longer 'Pie' in the sky Huggable Jason Biggs is on a roll after losing his cinematic virginity". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
  9. ^ Handler, Cindy Schweich. "Jason Biggs is a proud son of North Jersey". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Moynihan, Rob (January 19, 2015). "How I Got My SAG-AFTRA Card", TV Guide. p. 8
  11. ^ Biggs, Jason (August 1, 2012). "Jason Biggs on Judd Hirsch in 'Conversations With My Father'". Backstage.
  12. ^ "As the World Stops Turning: Soap Actors Turned Super Stars". ABC News. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Jason Biggs not returning for Orange Is the New Black season 3". Entertainment Weekly. February 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "Jason Biggs replaced by Seth Green as voice of Leonardo on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series". Metro.co.uk. June 19, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014. Rumours have been circulating in recent weeks as to Biggs' future in the hit animated franchise, with Dominic Catrambone voicing the character in recent episodes.
  15. ^ "Nickelodeon Renews 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' for Season 4 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. June 17, 2014.
  16. ^ "Picture Show: Yukon Kornelius w/ Al Schnier, Sebastian Bach, Dee Snider, Jason Biggs, Warren DeMartini & More @ FestEVOL 2013". Hidden Track. March 22, 2013.
  17. ^ Michael Gioia (September 11, 2014). "Elisabeth Moss, Bryce Pinkham, Jason Biggs Set for Broadway Revival of Wendy Wasserstein's The Heidi Chronicles".
  18. ^ Kit, Borys (December 5, 2014). "Jason Biggs, Ashley Tisdale Starring in Indie Comedy 'Drive, She Said' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  19. ^ "Every Original Movie Coming to Netflix in 2023". Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  20. ^ Pfefferman, Naomi (August 9, 2001). "A Nice Not-Jewish Boy". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
  21. ^ "Clown prince". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  22. ^ "Jason Biggs: Bio" Archived September 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. BuddyTV. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  23. ^ "Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen Welcome Son Sid". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  24. ^ "Jenny Mollen on Instagram: "Lazlo Biggs coming in hot! #babybiggs"".
  25. ^ "Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen Welcome Son Lazlo". PEOPLE.com. October 5, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  26. ^ "Jason Biggs Sells Former House Above Sunset Strip". July 7, 2015.
  27. ^ "Jason Biggs Bought This $7 Million Manhattan Home". November 2017.
  28. ^ Couch, Aaron (September 5, 2012). "Nickelodeon Apologizes for Jason Biggs' 'Vulgar' RNC Tweets". The Hollywood Reporter
  29. ^ Selby, Jenn (March 11, 2014). "Jason Biggs criticised for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 joke made days after aircraft carrying 239 reported missing". The Independent
  30. ^ Sieczkowski, Cavan (July 17, 2014). "Jason Biggs Tweets Malaysia Airlines Joke After Crash". The Huffington Post.
  31. ^ Marcus, Stephanie (May 20, 2014). "Jason Biggs Mocks Dead 'Bachelorette' Contestant Eric Hill", The Huffington Post
  32. ^ Malec, Brett (May 20, 2014). "Jason Biggs Mocks Dead Bachelorette Contestant Eric Hill: See His Controversial Tweets". E! Online
  33. ^ Ryan, Mike (April 2, 2012). "Jason Biggs, 'American Reunion' Star, On Nude Scenes, Self-Pleasuring And His Insane Twitter Account". Huffington Post.
  34. ^ Hoffman, Barbara (February 22, 2015). "Jason Biggs talks Twitter woes and his 'Bachelor' obsession". New York Post.
  35. ^ Culture, Ryan Smith Senior Pop; Reporter, Entertainment (October 24, 2023). "Full List of celebrities demanding release of all Hamas hostages". Newsweek. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  36. ^ Jason Biggs Making Directorial Debut With Action Comedy ‘Getaway’; Will Star Opposite Meaghan Rath, Arturo Castro, Justin H. Min & Anna Konkle
  37. ^ "Festival 2020 — Breck Film". Eclipse Theater. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  38. ^ "OFFICIAL SELECTION - Loudoun Arts Film Festival - 2020". This Business of Autism. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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