Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Best Roles

Ebon Moss-Bachrach has been a compelling presence on screen for years, building a career as a versatile and dedicated character actor long before becoming a household name. With an impressive ability to portray characters who are often intense, chaotic, and deeply human, he has consistently delivered memorable performances in both film and television. He has a knack for disappearing into his roles, whether he is playing a troubled musician, a government analyst, or a historical figure.

In recent years, his career has reached new heights, with a critically acclaimed, award-winning role bringing him widespread recognition and mainstream success. This newfound spotlight has rightfully highlighted a body of work filled with complex and fascinating characters. From small parts in iconic films to leading roles in major franchises, Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s journey has been remarkable. Let’s take a look at fifteen of his best roles.

‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (2001)

In one of his earliest film appearances, Moss-Bachrach had a small role in this beloved Wes Anderson film. He played Frederick the Bellboy at the hotel where the family patriarch, Royal Tenenbaum, is living after being kicked out of his family’s home.

Although the part is very brief, it placed him in a now-classic film with a legendary ensemble cast. He can be seen during a scene where Royal is having a conversation with his son Chas and grandsons, Ari and Uzi, in the hotel lobby.

‘The Lake House’ (2006)

He played Henry Wyler, the brother of Keanu Reeves’ character, Alex Wyler, in this romantic drama. The film’s story revolves around a magical mailbox that allows Alex and a doctor named Kate Forster to communicate across a two-year time gap.

Henry is a more conventional and pragmatic architect who works alongside his brother at their father’s firm. His character serves as a connection to Alex’s present-day reality and is involved in the key events that shape the film’s time-bending narrative.

‘John Adams’ (2008)

In the acclaimed historical miniseries ‘John Adams’, Moss-Bachrach portrayed John Quincy Adams, the son of the second U.S. President. The series follows the life of John Adams, and his son’s journey from youth to a successful diplomat is a part of the story.

He plays the character as a young adult, accompanying his father on diplomatic missions across Europe. The role showed him as a thoughtful and capable young man who would eventually follow in his father’s footsteps to become president himself.

‘Girls’ (2014–2017)

Moss-Bachrach had a major recurring role in the later seasons of this popular comedy-drama. He played Desi Harperin, a handsome and talented musician who becomes the creative and romantic partner of one of the main characters, Marnie Michaels.

Their relationship is depicted as incredibly passionate but also deeply dysfunctional and toxic. Desi is a recovering addict whose emotional instability and manipulative behavior lead to a tumultuous marriage with Marnie, creating much of the drama in her storyline.

‘The Last Ship’ (2015)

He played a significant antagonist role in the second season of the post-apocalyptic series ‘The Last Ship’. He was cast as Niels Sørensen, a brilliant but malevolent scientist who is known as Patient Zero of the global pandemic.

Sørensen created the deadly virus and has a unique immunity to it, making him a crucial but untrustworthy figure. His character is hunted by the crew of the USS Nathan James for his knowledge while he simultaneously aids a group of natural immunes who want to take over the world.

‘The Punisher’ (2017)

He co-starred in the first season of the Marvel series ‘The Punisher’ as David Lieberman, a former NSA analyst who operates under the alias “Micro”. After faking his own death to escape government agents, he becomes the reluctant tech expert for Frank Castle.

From his high-tech hideout, Micro provides surveillance, intelligence, and moral support for the Punisher’s violent crusade. The complex partnership between the isolated family man and the grieving vigilante forms the emotional core of the season.

‘NOS4A2’ (2019–2020)

In this supernatural horror series based on the novel by Joe Hill, he played Chris McQueen, the supportive but troubled father of the protagonist, Vic McQueen. His character is a blue-collar family man who struggles with his own demons.

Chris deeply loves his daughter and tries to protect her, but his issues with alcoholism and his volatile marriage often cause more harm than good. His performance captured the complexities of a flawed father trying his best in difficult circumstances.

‘The Dropout’ (2022)

He appeared in this acclaimed miniseries about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos. He portrayed John Carreyrou, the real-life investigative journalist from The Wall Street Journal who broke the story.

Carreyrou is shown as a determined and principled reporter who becomes suspicious of Theranos’s claims and begins to dig into the company’s secrets. His character is crucial to the narrative, as his investigation is what ultimately exposes the massive fraud.

‘Andor’ (2022)

Moss-Bachrach made a memorable appearance in the ‘Star Wars’ universe in the series ‘Andor’. He played Arvel Skeen, a hardened member of a small rebel crew planning a heist on the Imperial garrison on the planet Aldhani.

Skeen is presented as a cynical and battle-worn soldier who is deeply committed to the rebel cause. However, a crucial twist reveals his true self-serving motivations, adding a layer of tension and betrayal to the acclaimed heist arc.

‘The Bear’ (2022–present)

In his most celebrated role, Moss-Bachrach stars as Richard “Richie” Jerimovich, the hot-headed, loyal, and often chaotic cousin and best friend of the Berzatto family. He is the de facto manager of the family’s sandwich shop in Chicago.

Richie’s journey from a grief-stricken man resistant to change to finding a profound sense of purpose within the world of fine dining has become a highlight of the series. The role has earned him numerous awards, including an Emmy, for his funny and deeply moving performance.

‘Tokyo Vice’ (2022)

He has a recurring role in this crime drama series as Sam Adelstein. The show is loosely based on the real-life experiences of journalist Jake Adelstein, who is Sam’s brother in the series.

Sam is an American living and working in Tokyo who has a more settled life than his younger brother. His character provides a connection to home for Jake and occasionally gets pulled into the orbit of his brother’s dangerous investigations into the yakuza.

‘No Hard Feelings’ (2023)

In this raunchy comedy film, he played Gary, the father who hires Jennifer Lawrence’s character to date his shy, introverted teenage son. He and his wife are concerned that their son has no social life before he heads off to college.

Alongside Matthew Broderick, who plays his wife, Moss-Bachrach’s character is a loving but comically awkward helicopter parent. His performance contributed to the film’s humor as he and his wife try to meddle in their son’s life for what they believe is his own good.

‘Tesla’ (2020)

He played Anson Brown in this unconventional biopic about the life of inventor Nikola Tesla. Anson Brown was an American businessman who was an early financial backer of Tesla’s work.

In the film, his character helps finance Tesla’s experiments but also represents the business interests that often clashed with the inventor’s idealistic vision. He appears in scenes that dramatize the financial struggles and deals that defined Tesla’s career.

‘Last Resort’ (2012–2013)

He was part of the ensemble cast of the naval thriller ‘Last Resort’. He played Walter Anders, a Chief of the Boat aboard the nuclear submarine USS Colorado. The series follows the crew after they defy a suspicious order to launch nuclear missiles.

After the submarine is declared rogue and fired upon, the crew seeks refuge on a remote island. Walter’s character is a respected and experienced member of the crew who must navigate the complex moral and command decisions of their new, isolated reality.

‘The Fantastic 4: First Steps’ (2025)

Moss-Bachrach entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the major role of Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. The film introduced Marvel’s first family into the popular superhero franchise.

After a space mission goes wrong, his character is transformed into a super-strong being with a rock-like exterior. The role required him to portray the tragic, gruff, and heroic nature of Ben Grimm, a beloved character known for his catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!”

Tell us your favorite Ebon Moss-Bachrach performance in the comments.