Mike Faist

Michael David Faist is an American actor born on January 5, 1992. He is best known for his work across stage and screen, having earned a Grammy Award and a Daytime Emmy Award, along with nominations for a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award.

Faist was raised in Gahanna, Ohio, after being adopted by Julia and Kurt Faist, who operated a real estate business. Inspired by classic film dancers such as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, he began taking dance lessons at age five and performed in local youth theater. He trained at The Academy of Performing Arts and attended Gahanna Lincoln High School, participating in several stage productions. At age 17, Faist met his birth mother and her family of pilots, who taught him to fly, leading him to earn his pilot's license. He graduated high school a year early in 2009 and moved to New York City to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, leaving after two semesters to pursue auditions while working odd jobs.

Faist made his professional stage debut in 2011 in the regional premiere of the musical Newsies, originating the role of Morris Delancey. He continued with the production when it moved to Broadway in 2012, while also understudying the main role of Jack Kelly. That same year, he made his feature film debut in the drama The Unspeakable Act. Over the next several years, he appeared in independent films, television episodes, and Off-Broadway plays such as Appropriate and A Month in the Country.

His breakthrough occurred when he originated the role of Connor Murphy in the musical Dear Evan Hansen, performing in the show from its 2015 workshop through its Broadway run ending in 2018. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Along with the cast, he won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and a Daytime Emmy Award for a television performance on The Today Show. During this time, he also contributed to the show's audiobook adaptation and led musical theater master classes.

In 2021, Faist transitioned into high-profile screen projects. He starred as Dodge Mason in the television series Panic, receiving a Critics' Choice Super Award nomination. Later that year, he played Jet gang leader Riff in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of West Side Story, earning widespread acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Faist made his West End debut in May 2023 playing Jack Twist in a stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain. He subsequently portrayed photographer Danny Lyon in the film drama The Bikeriders and played professional tennis player Art in the 2024 romantic drama Challengers. Outside of acting, Faist writes short stories and helped establish the Ohio Artists Gathering playwrights festival in 2018.