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Tom Pelphrey

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Tom Pelphrey
Pelphrey in 2025
Born
Thomas Joseph Pelphrey

(1982-07-28) July 28, 1982 (age 43)
Howell Township, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationHowell High School
Alma materRutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active2003–present
Partner(s)Kaley Cuoco (2022–present; engaged)
Children1

Thomas Joseph Pelphrey (born July 28, 1982) is an American actor.[1][2] He is known for playing the roles of Jonathan Randall on the CBS television series Guiding Light (for which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards), Mick Dante on As the World Turns, Kurt Bunker on Banshee, Ward Meachum on Iron Fist, Ben Davis on Ozark, Perry Abbott on Outer Range, Don Crowder on Love & Death, Robbie Prendergrast on Task, Joe Mankiewicz in David Fincher's film Mank, and Jason Derek Brown in the true crime film American Murderer. For Ozark, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He received his second Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor in a Drama series in 2026 for his role in Task.

Early life and education

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Pelphrey was born Thomas Joseph Pelphrey on July 28, 1982, in Howell Township, New Jersey, to Laurie (née Demgard)[3][4] and Richard Pelphrey (1950–2007).[1][5] He has one brother named Robert.[5] He graduated from Howell High School in 2000, and from Rutgers University (Mason Gross School of the Arts) in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.[6]

Career

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Guiding Light

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Pelphrey's first notable role was on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne and her late former husband, Richard Winslow. He joined the cast in October 2003 and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of anti-hero Jonathan.

He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Younger Actor" in 2005 and won the award the following year. He received a third consecutive nomination in the same category in 2007 but lost to Bryton McClure. Pelphrey won his second Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Younger Actor" in 2008.

As the World Turns

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Pelphrey played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from October 2009[7] to February 2010 when his character was sent to prison for his misdeeds. The role earned Pelphrey an Emmy pre-nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Other television and film roles

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On March 30, 2007, he appeared in an episode of Numb3rs, "Pandora's Box".[8] On October 17, 2008, he appeared in an episode of "Ghost Whisperer", and the following season in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2015 Pelphrey landed the recurring role of Kurt Bunker, a former neo-Nazi trying to reintegrate into society, on Cinemax's action drama Banshee. To prepare for this role he started lifting weights and did research by reading books on the neo-Nazi movement in America.[9] In 2017, he appeared in Iron Fist as Ward Meachum and portrayed Ben Davis on the third season of the Netflix crime drama Ozark which was released on March 27, 2020.[10] His portrayal in the latter received critical acclaim and the lack of an Emmy nomination was perceived as a snub by fans and critics.[11] Nonetheless, Pelphrey received nominations for Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (shared with the cast). Pelphrey portrayed Joe Mankiewicz in David Fincher's 2020 film, Mank and Jason Derek Brown in the 2022 true crime film, American Murderer. In the final season of Ozark (2022), Pelphrey reprised the role of Ben Davis as a guest appearance, for which he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[12]

In 2022, he starred on the Amazon Prime Video series Outer Range as Perry Abbott.

In 2023, he starred on the HBO miniseries Love & Death as Don Crowder.[13] Pelphrey won Best Actor at the Bucharest Film Awards and the Manchester International Film Festival for his performance in the 2023 film, Jill.[14] He was nominated for the 2026 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Task.[15]

Theater

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From September 6, 2007, to September 30, 2007, Pelphrey performed in Kevin Mandel's A New Television Arrives Finally as the title character, at Theatre 54, in New York.[16] Pelphrey starred in In God's Hat at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, in New York City, through August 7, 2010.[17] In 2012, he appeared in the Broadway cast of the musical drama End of the Rainbow as Mickey Deans; in 2015, he returned to Broadway in a revival of Fool for Love, playing Martin.[18]

Personal life

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In 2022, Pelphrey began dating actress Kaley Cuoco. The two made their first public appearance as a couple at a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in May 2022.[19] Pelphrey and Cuoco announced on Instagram in October 2022 that they were expecting their first child together.[20] Cuoco gave birth to their daughter on March 30, 2023.[21] They announced their engagement on August 14, 2024.[22][23] Pelphrey is a fan of the New York Giants.[24] The couple announced in June 2026 that they’re expecting their second child.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2008Birds of AmericaHitchhiker
2010The ElasticMartyShort film
2012JunctionDavidReelHeart International Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Excuse Me for LivingDan
2013Turtle IslandTim
Tiger Lily RoadRicky Harden
2014A Cry from WithinCarl
2015AnchorsDenny
The Girl Is in TroubleEric
#Lucky NumberBret Reynolds
BlinkActor
2017SamStephen
2019Crazy AlienJohn Stockton
2020MankJoseph L. Mankiewicz
2022American MurdererJason Derek Brown
JillTedBucharest Film Awards for Best Actor

Manchester International Film Festival for Best Actor

She SaidJim Rutman
2025Six Sixty SixDemon Ronnie James (voice)Short film
TBA Rooster Post-production[25]
TBA Liminal Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003–2009Guiding LightJonathan Randall154 episodes: October 23, 2003 – February 1, 2007, July 31 – August 2, 2007, January 23 – March 6, 2008, August 5 – September 18, 2009;
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series (2006, 2008)
Nominated – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series (2005, 2007)
Nominated – Gold Derby Award for Younger Actor – Daytime Drama (2006–2007)
Nominated – Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Male Newcomer (2005)
2007The BurgDouche Bag DaveEpisode: "Out"
Numb3rsMike DaleyEpisode: "Pandora's Box"
2008Ghost WhispererBrianEpisode: "Ghost in the Machine"
CSI: MiamiMick RagosaEpisode: "Wrecking Crew"
2009–2010As the World TurnsMick Dante29 episodes
2009–2016Law & Order: Special Victims UnitVarious2 episodes
2010The Good WifeJosh MundyEpisode: "Doubt"
2011Body of ProofDean AveryEpisode: "Talking Heads"
2012Blue BloodsMike GalatisEpisode: "The Uniform"
2013The FollowingBrockEpisode: "Guilt"
2014Black BoxJoseph MorganEpisode: "Forget Me"
2015–2016BansheeKurt Bunker15 episodes
2017Chicago P.D.Thomas CadeEpisode: "Favor, Affection, Malice or Ill-Will"
2017–2018Iron FistWard MeachumMain role; 21 episodes
2019BlindspotCameron GibbsEpisode: “Frequently Recurring Struggle for Existence”
2020–2022OzarkBen DavisMain role (season 3)
Guest role (season 4)
Nominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2022–2024Outer RangePerry AbbottMain role
2023Love & DeathDon CrowderMiniseries
2024A Man in FullRaymond PeepgrassMiniseries
2025TaskRobbie Prendergrast6 episodes[26]

Video games

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Year Title Voice role
2011HomefrontConnor J. Morgan[27]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
2005 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Guiding Light Nominated
2006 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Guiding Light Won
2007 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Guiding Light Nominated
2008 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Guiding Light Won
2020 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Ozark Nominated
2020 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Ozark Nominated
2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series Ozark Nominated
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Ozark Nominated
2023 Bucharest Film Awards Best Actor Jill Won
2023 Manchester International Film Festival Best Actor Jill Won [14]
2026 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Task Nominated

References

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  1. 1 2 "Tom Pelphrey". TV Guide. Retrieved July 22, 2023. Birth name: Thomas J. Pelphrey ... Birth place: Howell, New Jersey, United States
  2. ↑ Dupre, Elyse (July 28, 2022). "Kaley Cuoco Says Boyfriend Tom Pelphrey "Saved Me in All the Ways"". E! News. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ "James N. Demgard Obituary (2016)". www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
  4. ↑ "JUNE MACEK (2017)". obits.nj.com.
  5. 1 2 "Richard Pelphrey (1950 - 2007)". claytonfuneralhome.com.
  6. ↑ "Meet Tom Pelphrey: Kristen Hamill chats with the Mason Gross graduate, who now can be seen on The Guiding Light". The Daily Targum. October 5, 2004. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.
  7. ↑ Potter, Courtney (September 1, 2009). "Tom Pelphrey to Join "As The World Turns"". SoapNet. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
  8. ↑ "CBS Daytime | Guiding Light". CBS. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Interview with Tom Pelphrey on Banshee". myFanbase. March 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ Petski, Denise (June 14, 2019). "'Ozark': Tom Pelphrey, Jessica Frances Dukes Among Four Cast; Two Promoted For Season 3 Of Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. ↑ Davies, Alex (July 31, 2020). "Ozark fans outraged as Tom Pelphrey snubbed by Emmys for Ben role: 'Robbed!'". Daily Express. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  12. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2022). "Emmy Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Tom Pelphrey Talks Trying Out True Crime with 'Love & Death' and His Life-Changing 'Ozark' Role". variety.com.
  14. 1 2 Parkinson, Helen. "Event Review: Manchester International Film Festival". British Cinematographer. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ Lang, Brent (January 4, 2026). "Critics Choice Awards 2026: 'One Battle After Another' Wins Best Film, 'The Pitt', 'Adolescence' and 'The Studio' Dominate TV Prizes". Variety. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Propst, Andy (September 10, 2007). "A New Television Arrives, Finally". Backstage.
  17. ↑ Jaworowski, Ken (July 26, 2010). "Richard Taylor's Vision From the Gates of Jail". The New York Times.
  18. ↑ "Tom Pelphrey at the Internet Broadway Database".
  19. ↑ "Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey Make First Public Appearance as a Couple". People. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  20. ↑ Slater, Georgia (October 12, 2022). "Pregnant Kaley Cuoco Shares New Baby Bump Photos After Revealing She's Expecting with Tom Pelphrey". People. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  21. ↑ Andalora, Angela (April 1, 2023). "Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey Welcome First Baby Together, Daughter Matilda: 'Little Miracle'". People. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Kaley Cuoco, who swore to 'never get married again,' is engaged to boyfriend Tom Pelphrey". Los Angeles Times. August 15, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  23. ↑ Strohm, Emily. "Kaley Cuoco Is Engaged to 'Ozark' Alum Tom Pelphrey!". People. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  24. ↑ "What Happened When Giants Fan Tom Pelphrey Was Asked to Sing 'Fly, Eagles Fly'". YouTube. March 6, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  25. ↑ Grobar, Matt (December 12, 2025). "Grant Gustin, Tom Pelphrey, Paul Sparks & More Set For Dark Comedy 'Rooster' From First-Time Feature Director Mills McQueen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  26. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 11, 2023). "Tom Pelphrey Boards 'Mare of Easttown' Creator's Next HBO Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Connor Morgan - Tom Pelphrey is the voice of Connor Morgan in Homefront". www.behindthevoiceactors.com.
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