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Sebastian Arcelus

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Sebastian Arcelus
Arcelus in May 2014
Born (1976-11-05) November 5, 1976 (age 48)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materWilliams College
OccupationActor
Years active2000–present
Known forHouse of Cards, Madam Secretary, Rent, Wicked, Elf, Into the Woods
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2007)​
Children1

Sebastian Arcelus (born November 5, 1976)[1] is an American actor, best known for his roles as Lucas Goodwin on the Netflix thriller series House of Cards (2013–2016) and Jay Whitman on the CBS political drama series Madam Secretary (2014–2019). Arcelus began his acting career in the early 2000s and spent the first decade of his career on Broadway, having played Roger in Rent, Fiyero in Wicked, Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, and Buddy in Elf, among other roles. He returned to Broadway with the 2022 revival of Into the Woods and its subsequent national tour.

Early life and background

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Arcelus was born in New York City and grew up in Port Washington, New York.[2][3] He is a first generation American of Uruguayan, Italian, and Russian descent, and speaks Spanish fluently. He is a graduate of Williams College.[3]

Career

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2000–2011: Early career and Broadway

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Arcelus has made a career in theater on Broadway, regionally, and internationally. He began his career in the early 2000s, and spent three years working at an international business firm while auditioning and performing in amateur theater at night.[3] He performed in a handful of small New York theater productions as well as regional productions like that of The Who's Tommy in Newark, New Jersey in 2000 and Big River in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[4][5] He joined the repertory theater company of Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield, New Hampshire, for their 2001 season; at Weathervane, he performed in productions including Floyd Collins, Cabaret, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.[6] Following this experience he took part in a bilingual production of West Side Story in Guatemala.

Arcelus made his Broadway debut in 2002 in Rent, first as a swing, covering the male ensemble roles as well as Mark and Roger, and then as Roger throughout the first half of 2003. He remained with Rent as a swing until Fall 2004.

Some of his first professional screen acting roles were for English-language dubs of animated TV shows. He continued to do this throughout the 2000s and voiced characters in shows including Winx Club and multiple series within the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. In 2004, Arcelus appeared in the movie musical Temptation, with Broadway stars Alice Ripley, Adam Pascal, and Zoe Saldana, among many others.

During the spring of 2005, he starred as Jan in the original cast of the Beach Boys musical, Good Vibrations. He played Fiyero on the first national tour of Wicked from January 3 until October 3, 2006. He then reprised the role of Fiyero in the Broadway production from January 9 to December 16, 2007. Arcelus was featured on iChannel, an interactive 2006 web-series about "a self-conscious young man who finds his life taken over by a video blog."[7]

He starred as Bob Gaudio in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys from January 10, 2008, to January 11, 2009. before starring in Happiness, a musical which ran Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater for fourteen weeks beginning on February 27, 2009.[8] He resumed the role of Bob Gaudio in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys on July 14, 2009, and finished the role on October 10, 2010.[9]

He originated the role of Buddy in Elf the Musical for a limited engagement run from November 10, 2010, through January 2, 2011, at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theater.[10]

He assumed the role of Jack Chesney in Where's Charley? in a concert production as part of New York City Center's Encores! series from March 17–20, 2011.[11] From May 6 through June 19, 2011, took part in the original stage production of A Time to Kill, premiering at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., based on the John Grisham novel of the same name; Arcelus originated the role of Jake Brigance.[12] Later that summer, Arcelus filmed and helped produce the independent feature film The Last Day of August, which premiered in October 2012.[13] In November 2011, Arcelus starred in an off-Broadway limited engagement musical production of The Blue Flower at Second Stage, along with Marc Kudisch and Teal Wicks.[14]

Arcelus in 2008

2012–present: Madam Secretary and Into the Woods

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In 2012, Arcelus starred in the independent film The Last Day of August. Later that year, he was cast as Lucas Goodwin in the Netflix TV series House of Cards.[15] From 2013 to 2016, he had a recurring role in the show's first, second, and fourth seasons. In 2013, Arcelus reprised his role of Jake Brigance in the Broadway production of A Time To Kill at the Golden Theatre in New York City, which premiered on October 20, 2013.[16]

As part of the collective The Grundleshotz, Arcelus co-wrote the musical Gettin' the Band Back Together.[17] Following four years of improvisational rehearsals, the musical debuted regionally in 2013 at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey before receiving a pre-Broadway workshop in 2014. The musical played on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre during Summer 2018.

In early 2014, he was cast in the Cinemax pilot Blanco.[18] Soon after, he also joined the cast The Best of Me, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name.[19]

In 2014, he began portraying Jay Whitman on the CBS drama Madam Secretary. After having a recurring role during the first two seasons of the show, Arcelus became part of the main cast for the final four seasons of the show; he acted in one hundred episodes before the series concluded in December 2019.

Since 2014, Arcelus has also had small roles in the films Ted 2 (2015) and Split (2016), as well as guest roles in shows including The Leftovers, FBI, and Bull. He joined the cast of the Steve McQueen miniseries Codes of Conduct, which was given a limited series order by HBO in 2015.[20][21] The project was ultimately scrapped by the network the following year.[22] In 2016, Arcelus had a six-episode arc in HBO's The Deuce.

In August 2022, it was announced that Arcelus would return to Broadway by replacing Brian d'Arcy James as the Baker in the revival of Into the Woods beginning September 6 and that he would star alongside his wife Stephanie J. Block who plays the Baker's Wife.[23] He played his final performance on October 23, 2022.[24] In December 2022, it was announced that Arcelus and Block would reprise their roles in the production's U.S. national tour, which launched in early 2023.[25] During the same month, it was announced that Arcelus would also return to the Broadway production beginning January 3, 2023, and continue with the show through its final performance on January 8.

Personal life

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Arcelus married his Wicked co-star Stephanie J. Block in 2007. Block played Elphaba in Wicked, both on the national tour and on Broadway.[26][3] Their daughter Vivienne Helena Arcelus was born on January 19, 2015.[27][failed verification]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 The Last Day of August Mark Also producer
2014 The Best of Me Frank
2015 Ted 2 Dr. Ed Danzer
2016 Split Mr. Cooke

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 Person of Interest Matthews Episode: 1x05 "Judgemet"
2013–14, 2016 House of Cards Lucas Goodwin Recurring (Season 1–2, 4); 17 episodes
2014 Blanco Andy Silver TV pilot
2014 It Could Be Worse Howard 2 episodes
2014 The Leftovers Doug Durst 2 episodes
2014–2019 Madam Secretary Jay Whitman Recurring (Season 1-2); Main cast (Season 3-6); 100 episodes
2015 Codes of Conduct Simon TV pilot
2018 The Deuce Dave Hiller 6 episodes
2019 FBI Drew Harper Episode: 2x02 "The Lives of Others"
2019 Bull Eric Crawford Episode: 4x08 "Safe and Sound"

Voiceover and English-language dubbing

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Year Title Role Notes
2001–2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! Espa Roba, Rex Raptor 9 episodes
2001 Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder Vincent TV miniseries
2001–2002 Shaman King Yoh Asakura / Zeke Asakura
2002 Seven of Seven Mutsumi
2002–2003 Ultimate Muscle Road Rage / Additional Voices
2003 Samurai Deeper Kyo Hotaru
2004 Gokusen Youichi Minami
2004 Phoenix Adam
2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light Additional voices TV movie
2004 Shrine of the Morning Mist Tadahiro Amatsu
2004 Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys Rafe TV movie
2004–2007 Winx Club (4Kids edit) Timmy/Palladium 78 episodes
2005–2010 Go, Diego, Go! Papi/Additional voices 13 episodes
2005–2012 Dora the Explorer Various voices
2006–2007 G.I. Joe: Sigma Six Tunnel Rat Succeeded Michael Sinterniklaas as Tunnel Rat[28][29]
2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Marcel (Martin Kanou)
2007 Dinosaur King Rex Ancient (Rex Owen)
2008 Man of the People Little G / Miscellaneous
2009 Turtles Forever '87 Raphael TV movie
2014 Dora and Friends: Into the City! Various voices

Theater credits

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Year Title Role Venue Notes
2001 Floyd Collins Homer Collins Weathervane Theatre:
July – August 2001 		Regional revival
2002–2004 Rent Swing
Understudy: Mark, Roger 		Nederlander Theatre:
May 2002 – Dec. 2002 		Broadway replacement[30]
Roger Nederlander Theatre:
Dec 2002 – June 2003
Swing
Understudy: Mark, Roger 		Nederlander Theatre:
July 2003– Nov. 2004
2004 Caligula Germanicus Theatre at St. Clements:
Sept. – Oct. 2004 		New York Musical Theatre Festival production
2004–2005 Good Vibrations Jan / Ensemble Eugene O'Neill Theatre:
Nov. 2004 – Apr. 2005 		Original Broadway cast
2005 The Full Monty Ethan Girard North Shore Music Theatre:
November 2005 		Regional revival
2006–2007 Wicked Fiyero Tigelaar National tour:
Jan. – Oct. 2006 		National tour replacement
Gershwin Theatre:
Jan. – Dec. 2007 		Broadway replacement
2008–2010 Jersey Boys Bob Gaudio August Wilson Theatre:
Jan. 2008 – Jan. 2009 		Broadway replacement
August Wilson Theatre:
Jul. 2009 – Oct. 2010
2009 Happiness Zach Newhouse Theater:
Feb. – Jun. 2009 		Original Off-Broadway cast
2010–2011 Elf Buddy Al Hirschfeld Theatre:
Nov. 2010 – Jan. 2011 		Original Broadway cast
2011 Where's Charley? Jack Chesney New York City Center:
March 2011 		Encores! Off-Broadway revival
A Time to Kill Jake Brigance Arena Stage:
May - June 2011 		Pre-Broadway Tryout
The Blue Flower Franz Second Stage Theater:
Oct. – Nov. 2011 		Original Off-Broadway cast
2013 A Time to Kill Jake Brigance John Golden Theatre:
Oct. – Nov. 2013 		Original Broadway cast
2022–2023 Into the Woods The Baker St. James Theatre:
Sept. – Oct. 2022

Jan. 2023

Broadway replacement
The U.S. National Tour:
Feb. – July 2023 		Ten city engagement

References

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  1. ^ "Birthdays". The Modesto Bee. The Associated Press. November 5, 2021. p. 2A. Actor Sebastian Arcelus is 45.
  2. ^ "Sebastian Arcelus". Allmovie. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Henderson, Kathy (August 3, 2009). "Jersey Boy Sebastian Arcelus Find Success (and Love) in Musicals". Broadway.com. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  4. ^ "Tommy". Jeffrey Finn Productions. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sebastian Arcelus Part One! · Jersey Boys Blog". Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "52 Seasons of Shows" (PDF). Weathervane Theatre. 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "View I Channel here". Connectwithi.com. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  8. ^ Hetrick, Adam (December 29, 2008). "Gleason, Arcelus, Powers and Sapp Cast in Lincoln Center Theater's Happiness". Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (October 10, 2010). "Sebastian Arcelus Plays Final Performance in Broadway's Jersey Boys Oct. 10". Playbill. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  10. ^ Hetrick, Adam (September 13, 2010). "Sebastian Arcelus Will Be Broadway's Buddy; Elf – The Musical Completes Casting". Playbill. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Where's Charley? at New York City Center "Encores!" Nycitycenter.org
  12. ^ "Stage Adaptation of John Grisham Thriller A Time to Kill to Premiere at Arena Stage, Starring Sebastian Arcelus". Broadway.com. April 14, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "NYC Release! - The Last Day of August". thelastdayofaugustfilm.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  14. ^ Jones, Kenneth (September 8, 2011). "Sebastian Arcelus, Marc Kudisch, Graham Rowat, Teal Wicks Will Help Blue Flower Grow at Second Stage". Playbill. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Patten, Dominic (July 18, 2012). "Netflix's 'House of Cards' Adds Broadway's Sebastian Arcelus To Cast". Deadline. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  16. ^ Champion, Lindsay (October 21, 2013). "A Time to Kill Stars Sebastian Arcelus, Patrick Page & More Hold Court on a Star-Studded Opening Night". Broadway.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  17. ^ "Gettin' the Band Back Together Broadway @ Belasco Theatre - Tickets and Discounts". Playbill. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2014). "Franka Potente, Amaury Nolasco & Elizabeth Rodriguez Cast In Cinemax Pilot 'Blanco'". Deadline. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "'The Best Of Me' Adds 'House Of Cards' Sebastian Arcelus & Gerald McRaney". Deadline. March 12, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  20. ^ SkywordNews (March 29, 2015). "Paul Dano Cast in HBO Event Series 'Codes of Conduct'". STACK. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 20, 2015). "Steve McQueen's HBO Drama 'Codes Of Conduct' Picked Up As Limited Series". Deadline. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  22. ^ Han, Angie (February 24, 2016). "Steve McQueen HBO Drama Codes of Conduct Shut Down". /Film. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  23. ^ Hall, Margaret (August 12, 2022). "Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, Krysta Rodriguez, Montego Glover, More to Join Broadway's Into the Woods". Playbill.
  24. ^ Harms, Talaura (September 22, 2022). "Brian D'Arcy James and Andy Karl Will Return to Broadway's Into the Woods". Playbill.
  25. ^ Harms, Talaura (December 6, 2022). "Broadway's Into the Woods Revival Will Journey Across the U.S. On Tour". Playbill. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  26. ^ Gans, Andrew (December 14, 2007). "DIVA TALK: Chatting with Wicked's Stephanie J. Block Plus News of Mason and Kuhn". Playbill. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  27. ^ "Twitter Watch: Congrats! Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus Are Expecting Their First Baby!". BroadwayWorld.com. August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  28. ^ "G.I. Joe: Sigma 6: Cast". Yojoe.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  29. ^ "Voice Cast Listing at Voice Chasers". Voicechasers.com. August 27, 2006. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  30. ^ Joy, Cara (November 15, 2004). "Sebastian Arcelus Replaces Justin Guarini in Good Vibrations". Broadway.com. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
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