John Robert Magaro was born in 1983 in Akron, Ohio, to Wendy and James Magaro, and was raised in the local suburb Munroe Falls. He began his journey in the world of theatre by appearing in local productions in and around Cleveland and Akron.
In the world of film, Magaro has had the opportunity to star in various projects, including Paramount's Overlord (2018),directed by Julius Avery. He has also been seen in Reginald Hudlin's "Marshall," alongside Chadwick Boseman, in Netflix's "War Machine," starring Brad Pitt, and in Paramount's award-winning "The Big Short." "The Big Short" received numerous accolades, including the Best Ensemble award from the National Board of Review for 2015, the Ensemble Performance Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival, and nominations for a Critics' Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble and a SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Additionally, Magaro earned a Hollywood Spotlight Award from the Hollywood Film Awards for his performance in 2012's Not Fade Away (2012).
Magaro has also made a name for himself on the small screen, with notable roles in "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan," Woody Allen's "Crisis in Six Scenes," and a memorable recurring role on Netflix's "Orange is the New Black."
As a stage actor, Magaro has had the privilege of starring in the Public Theatre's premiere of "Illyria," playing the Public's founder Joseph Papp. He has also had a supporting role in Scott Rudin's revival of "The Front Page," directed by Jack O'Brien, opposite Nathan Lane, John Slattery, and John Goodman. Magaro has also played the male lead in the critically acclaimed production of "Tigers Be Still," written by Kimberly Rosenstock and directed by Sam Gold for the Roundabout Theatre Company.
