Bryan Greenberg Bio
Bryan Greenberg (born May 24, 1978) is an American actor known for his starring role as Ben Epstein in the HBO series How to Make It in America. He has built a diverse career spanning film, television, and music, appearing in features such as Prime, Bride Wars, and Friends with Benefits. Greenberg has also established himself as a musician, releasing two studio albums and touring nationally. He is married to actress Jamie Chung, and they welcomed twin sons in October 2021.
Early Life and Background
Bryan Greenberg was born on May 24, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska, to parents Carl and Denise “Denny” Greenberg, who worked as psychologists. He grew up Jewish and was raised in Conservative Judaism, attending Beth El Synagogue in Omaha and participating in Jewish youth groups and summer camps where he performed in theater productions. He also traveled to Israel during his youth.
Greenberg began his performing career at seven years old when he landed the lead role in the Omaha Ballet production of The Nutcracker. He toured with the production for two months and later joined a local children’s theater company in Omaha. At age 12, his family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he quickly secured his first major role in a nationally broadcast Cookie Crisp cereal commercial.
He graduated from Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Missouri, in 1996 and subsequently moved to New York City to pursue his passion for acting. Greenberg earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2000.
Path to Actor
While studying at NYU, Greenberg worked various jobs including waiter, bartender, caterer, and assistant to a mortgage broker. He honed his craft by performing with several theater companies, including the Experimental Theater Workshop, the Atlantic Theater Company, and the Amsterdam Experimental Workshop. He also played Romeo in the university’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
In 1997, Greenberg began his professional acting career with a small role on the television series Law & Order. This appearance led to securing an agent, and one year later he made his big screen debut in the film A Civil Action. He subsequently appeared in guest roles on television series such as Boston Public, The Sopranos, and Third Watch.
His breakthrough came when he was cast as Matty Matthews, a high school student preparing for the SAT exam, in the 2004 film The Perfect Score. After graduating from NYU, Greenberg relocated to California to further his acting career.
Bryan Greenberg Career
Early Career (1997–2005)
Following his debut in A Civil Action, Greenberg continued to build his resume with supporting roles in various film and television projects. His performance in The Perfect Score brought him wider recognition and opened doors to more prominent opportunities. During this period, he also began appearing in the WB series One Tree Hill, playing the recurring character Jake Jagielski.
While still appearing in One Tree Hill, Greenberg began working on another television project produced by George Clooney for HBO called Unscripted. This experience on a premium cable production helped him develop his skills and network within the industry.
Breakthrough (2005–2012)
Greenberg achieved his first starring role in the 2005 film Prime, directed by Ben Younger. He played David Bloomberg, a young artist who falls in love with one of his mother’s therapy patients, portrayed by Uma Thurman, with Meryl Streep playing his mother. The film received positive reviews and helped establish Greenberg as a leading man in romantic dramas.
He subsequently starred as Nick Garrett in the ABC drama October Road and appeared alongside Alan Rickman in the film Nobel Son in 2008. In 2009, Greenberg appeared in the popular comedy Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway. The following year, he starred opposite Alexis Bledel and Scott Porter in the indie film The Good Guy, released in February 2010.
His HBO series How to Make It in America premiered on February 14, 2010, with Greenberg playing the starring role of Ben Epstein. The series, which depicted New York’s fashion and entertainment scene, received critical praise. The Washington Post described it as “The New Yorkiest thing you could find on television,” while The New York Times noted its great music and portrayal of hipster culture. The show ran for two seasons before HBO announced its cancellation in December 2011.
Notable Works and Milestones
Greenberg continued to appear in supporting film roles throughout the 2010s, including the romantic comedy Friends with Benefits and the 2012 independent comedy The Kitchen alongside Laura Prepon. He also starred in the dark comedy film The Normals that same year. In 2015, he and his wife Jamie Chung co-starred together in the romantic drama Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong.
Recent Work (2012–Present)
In 2024, Greenberg joined the cast of Suits LA, the spin-off series of the popular legal drama Suits, starring opposite Stephen Amell. This role marked his return to television following various film projects and guest appearances on series including The Mindy Project.
Bryan Greenberg Music Career
Beyond acting, Greenberg has established himself as a musician. In 2007, he released his debut album titled Waiting for Now and toured with artists including Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher, Ari Hest, and Graham Colton. His songs have been featured in his own film and television work, including One Tree Hill, October Road, and Nobel Son.
His second album, We Don’t Have Forever, was released in 2011. Produced by Thom Monahan, the album included the single “Walk Away” and featured a collaboration with Kid Cudi titled “You Can Run.” Greenberg described the record as reflecting a period of significant change in his life.
Bryan Greenberg Family
Bryan Greenberg is the son of Carl and Denise “Denny” Greenberg. His father worked as a psychologist, and his mother also practiced psychology. Greenberg has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his career.
Personal Life
Bryan Greenberg began dating actress Jamie Chung in 2012. The couple became engaged in December 2013 and married on October 31, 2015, in Santa Barbara, California. They welcomed twin sons via surrogacy in October 2021. Greenberg and Chung have maintained their careers in entertainment while raising their family together in Los Angeles.