Jon Bernthal has a long list of impressive roles, wins first Emmy Award for The Bear

Jon Bernthal has a long list of impressive roles, wins first Emmy Award for The Bear

As a seasoned gamer with an eye for great performances, I must say that Jon Bernthal has truly outdone himself with his portrayal of Mikey Berzatto in The Bear. His journey in this series, from its debut to the record-breaking second season and now his first Emmy win, is a testament to the power of exceptional storytelling and acting.


Jon Bernthal, both actor and podcast host, is widely recognized for various significant characters he’s portrayed, such as Shane from The Walking Dead and FrankCastle/Punisher in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a role he plans to reprise soon in the Disney+ show Daredevil: Born Again. Last Sunday, September 8, Bernthal received his first Emmy award for his performance as Mikey Berzatto in the FX on Hulu series The Bear.

Initially, Bernthal made his debut in season 1 of the comedy-drama and has consistently played the same character up until season 3. Notably, our show’s second season garnered an impressive 23 award nominations, ultimately winning a total of seven accolades across several categories.

  • Outstanding Casting
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing
  • Outstanding Cinematography
  • Outstanding Picture Editing
  • Outstanding Sound Editing
  • Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
  • Jon Bernthal as Michael Berzatto for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

In the world of gaming, it’s like being hyped about scoring a rare loot box in a highly anticipated game expansion. Just as season 2, episode 14 of that show, “Fishes,” turned out to be a golden ticket for me, with nine Emmy nominations under its belt in 2024. The episode was packed with surprise cameos from stars like Jamie Lee Curits, who took home an Emmy for her part, Oliver Platt, Gillian Jacobs, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, and Sarah Paulson. It’s the kind of performance that makes you feel like you’ve leveled up in the gaming world!

In the highly acclaimed second episode of the series, “Fishes,” we find ourselves delving into the emotional struggles of the eldest Berzatto sibling, Mikey. His relationships with his uncle, Lee, have become strained, but when Carmy talks about revitalizing The Beef, Mikey’s financial concerns and past battles with depression come to light. The tension reaches its peak as Mikey, harboring years of frustration, confronts Lee in a passionate argument.

The showcase was highly acclaimed for its gripping portrayal of family dynamics and exceptional, unbridled acting from the cast. Vulture, predicting the future, termed the episode “overwhelmingly taxing to watch” and stated, “[b]oth the scriptwriting and the execution of ‘Fishes’ demonstrate the show’s prowess in balancing drama and, come Emmy season 2024, it’s clear that everyone associated with this episode will shine brightly.

The best of Jon Bernthal

Jon Bernthal has a long list of impressive roles, wins first Emmy Award for The Bear

Since the early 2000s, Bernthal has been actively acting, and he joined the cast of The Walking Dead in 2010 during its debut season, portraying the character Shane. Tragically, his role came to an end in season 2 with a death that left a lasting impression on the series. During the initial stages of the outbreak, it was thought that only a bite from a walker could transform someone into one, but Shane’s demise marked the first significant instance where a person transformed without being bitten. This supported Dr. Jenner’s (Noah Emmerich) assertion to Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) that we are all infected. Bernthal delivered an exceptional performance in bringing Shane to life, a character initially introduced in The Walking Dead comic by Robert Kirkman.

In the Netflix show titled “The Punisher“, Jon Bernthal stepped back into the character he played in “Daredevil” – Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher. For a total of two seasons, this series unfolded on the streaming platform.

2022 saw Bernthal playing Baltimore Police Department Sergeant Wayne Jenkins in the HBO series titled “We Own This City.

He has received acclaim for portraying a melancholic yet endearing motel proprietor, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, in the modern-day thriller “Sweet Virginia“. Indie Wire commended his acting skills, stating that he delivered an exceptional performance by departing from his typical macho persona to embody a character tormented by his past and seeking a fresh start with whatever remnants he could find.

In a different take:

2021 saw Ben Barnthal sharing the screen with Will Smith in the biographical sports film titled “King Richard“. This movie delved into the life story of Richard Williams, who was not only the father but also the coach of the remarkable tennis prodigies Venus and Serena Williams. Notably, Bernthal garnered the Detroit Film Critics Society award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal in this film.

Apart from that, he was a part of the critically-adored war film “Fury,” featuring an exceptional ensemble including Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, Jason Isaacs, and Scott Eastwood. The team received the National Board of Review Award for Best Ensemble Cast.

In the 2016 film “The Accountant,” he assumed the character of Brax Wolff, alongside Ben Affleck. He’s set to reprise this role in the upcoming sequel, slated for release on April 25, 2025.

Besides these, he’s notably featured in films such as “Ford v Ferrari,” portraying Lee Iacocca, and in the darkly humorous movie titled “The Wolf of Wall Street.

In the year 2017, Bernthal featured in Taylor Sheridan’s first directorial endeavor titled “Wind River,” a modern Western crime film co-starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. Similarly, he was seen in Sheridan’s 2019 production entitled “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” an action-packed thriller that included Angelina Jolie on its cast list.

Kudos to Jon Bernthal for clinching his first Emmy award, showcasing his exceptional portrayal of Mikey Berzatto in The Bear. Don’t forget to listen to his podcast, “The Real Ones with Jon Bernthal,” which offers a platform to some truly captivating and genuine individuals tackling significant issues that shape our world today.

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2024-09-09 16:39