Justin Long Bio
Justin Jacob Long (born June 2, 1978) is an American actor and comedian recognized for his work across comedy and horror films, his voice performances, and a long string of memorable advertising campaigns. He first drew attention with a role in the science-fiction comedy Galaxy Quest (1999) and went on to build a versatile career in features, television, animation, and podcasting. Over more than two decades, Long has become a recognizable screen presence in both mainstream studio productions and independent projects.
Long is also a familiar face from his television role as Warren Cheswick on the NBC comedy-drama Ed (2000–2004) and from voicing Alvin Seville in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series. He is widely known for appearing alongside John Hodgman in Apple’s “Get a Mac” advertising campaign (2006–2009). His willingness to move between broad comedy, genre filmmaking, and dramatic supporting work has helped him maintain a steady presence in Hollywood.
Early Life and Background
Justin Jacob Long was born on June 2, 1978, in Fairfield, Connecticut, the second of three boys. His father, R. James Long, is a philosophy and Latin professor at Fairfield University, and his mother, Wendy Lesniak, is a former actress who has mostly appeared on stage. His paternal grandmother was of Sicilian descent, and Long had what he has described as a “kind of conservative” Catholic upbringing.
He grew up alongside his older brother, Damian, who became a local stage actor and teacher at Weston High School in Weston, Connecticut, and his younger brother, Christian, who is also an actor and director. This family background, paired with a mother who stayed connected to the stage, gave Long early exposure to performance. He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School, a Jesuit institution, where he developed an interest in acting and writing.
Long later enrolled at Vassar College, where he joined the sketch comedy group Laughingstock and starred in several campus plays, including a production of Butterflies Are Free. These college experiences helped him sharpen his comedic timing and gave him a foundation in both scripted and improvised performance before he moved into professional work.
Path to Acting
Long’s first notable film role came with Galaxy Quest (1999), a science-fiction comedy that brought him early attention in Hollywood. He quickly followed this with the horror film Jeepers Creepers (2001), establishing his ability to move between genres. During this period, he also landed the recurring television role of Warren Cheswick on Ed, a part he played from 2000 to 2004 that significantly raised his profile with mainstream audiences.
These early projects helped Long develop a reputation as a reliable comedic and dramatic supporting player. He balanced independent films and festival fare with growing studio work, which positioned him for larger breakout roles in the mid-2000s. His versatility across comedy, horror, and drama made him a sought-after collaborator for both established directors and emerging filmmakers.
Justin Long Career
Early Career (1999–2005)
Long’s filmography expanded rapidly in the early 2000s with appearances in films such as Jeepers Creepers (2001), Crossroads (2002), and Waiting… (2005). He also joined the cast of Ed during this period, where his portrayal of the socially awkward Warren Cheswick became one of his signature early roles. By the middle of the decade, he had built a steady résumé of supporting parts in both comedies and genre pictures.
In 2004, he starred in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, a sports comedy that became a major box-office hit and helped him reach a wider audience. The success of Dodgeball, combined with the visibility of Ed, set the stage for the next phase of his career as a leading man in studio comedies.
Breakthrough (2006–2010)
The year 2006 marked a turning point for Long with leading roles in Accepted, Idiocracy, and Dreamland. Accepted, in particular, cast him as a college-bound slacker who invents a fake university, showcasing his easy comedic style. He also became the public face of Apple’s “Get a Mac” advertising campaign that same year, appearing opposite John Hodgman in a series of commercials that compared the strengths of the Mac platform with the weaknesses of the PC platform.
Long continued to build his profile with roles in Live Free or Die Hard (2007), where he co-starred with Bruce Willis as a white-hat hacker, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) from director Kevin Smith. In 2009, he appeared in He’s Just Not That Into You, a romantic comedy with an ensemble cast including Drew Barrymore and Ginnifer Goodwin. He also lent his voice to Humphrey in the animated feature Alpha and Omega (2010), further expanding his range.
Beyond his feature work, Long voiced Alvin Seville in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) and its sequels, including The Squeakquel, Chipwrecked, and The Road Chip. The franchise gave him one of his most commercially successful recurring roles and introduced his voice to a wide family audience.
Notable Works and Milestones
Long’s signature works include Galaxy Quest, Dodgeball, Accepted, He’s Just Not That Into You, and Tusk, along with his voice performances in the Alvin and the Chipmunks films and Alpha and Omega. His appearance in the horror film Barbarian (2022) earned him renewed critical attention and reinforced his standing in the horror genre, where he is frequently described as a scream king.
Justin Long Award Nominations
Long has earned recognition for his television work, including a nomination for the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performer for his role as Nathan Bratt in the Disney+ series Goosebumps (2023). He has also continued to receive attention for independent features and voice performances throughout his career.
Justin Long Awards Won
Long has built a long and varied career in comedy, horror, and family entertainment, with projects that have resonated across theatrical, home video, and streaming audiences. While his reputation rests more on consistent work and memorable performances than on a long list of trophy wins, his track record in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise and his supporting turns in studio comedies have made him a familiar name to general audiences.
Justin Long Family
Long was born into a family with deep ties to education and the performing arts. His father, R. James Long, is a philosophy and Latin professor at Fairfield University, and his mother, Wendy Lesniak, is a former actress. His older brother, Damian, is a local stage actor and teacher, while his younger brother, Christian, is also an actor and director.
Personal Life
Long was in an on-and-off relationship with actress Drew Barrymore from 2007 to 2010. He later dated actress Amanda Seyfried from 2013 to 2015. In January 2022, it was reported that Long was dating actress Kate Bosworth, and in April 2023 the couple announced their engagement. Long referred to Bosworth as his “now-wife” during an episode of his Life Is Short podcast in May 2023, and on July 18, 2025, Long and Bosworth welcomed their first child, a daughter.