Nelson Leis is a multifaceted individual, exceling as an actor, writer, and producer. His most notable role to date is that of Beelzebub in the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, where he appeared in three seasons from 2018.
As an actor, he has also made significant contributions to The Last of Us, Prey, and Shōgun, set to release in 2023, 2022, and 2024, respectively. Additionally, he wrote, produced, and starred in the award-winning comedy A.T.A.C.K. in 2022. Nelson has had the privilege of working alongside some of Hollywood's most renowned talent, including Pedro Pascal, Kiernan Shipka, Kevin Bacon, and Freddy Highmore. He will soon be featured in the horror film Big Baby.
Born in Kemptville, Ontario, to a French mother and Estonian father, Nelson was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. His passion for acting began when he became involved in high school and community theatre, which eventually led him to relocate to New York City and pursue a degree at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After completing his education, he returned to Vancouver and spent a year touring with an education-based theatre company, focusing on performances for high school students.
As a writer, Nelson co-created the web series The Jim in 2010, which won numerous awards at the 2011 L.A. Web Fest, including Best Actor for Nelson. The series also took home the top prize, allowing the creative team to attend the inaugural Marseilles Web Fest in France, a meaningful experience for Nelson as it marked his first visit to his mother's homeland.
On stage, Nelson has had the opportunity to star in various productions, including Lobby Hero, The Toyer, Closer, Lone Star, Take Me Out, The Big Funk, Soldier's Heart, and Almost, Maine.
Nelson is also a partner in First Glance Productions, a production company he co-founded with Vanessa Walsh, which has multiple projects in development.
