Sebastian Stan’s Career: From ‘Bucky’ to ‘Donald Trump’

Sebastian Stan has become a globally recognized actor, largely celebrated for his long-running and complex portrayal of Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His career began with various roles in film and television, where he steadily built a reputation for his talent and versatility. His journey has seen him grow from memorable supporting parts to a compelling leading man capable of carrying both blockbuster franchises and intimate character-driven stories.

Beyond his most famous role, Stan has consistently proven his remarkable range by taking on challenging and transformative characters. He has a unique ability to disappear into his roles, whether he is playing a charming villain, a troubled romantic lead, or controversial real-life figures. His recent work in particular has garnered critical acclaim, showcasing a depth and commitment to his craft that has solidified his status as one of the most interesting actors working today.

‘Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding’ (2004)

This comedy film is an adaptation of the interactive off-Broadway play of the same name. The story is presented as if the audience is attending the actual wedding of two Italian-American families, the Nunzios and the Vitales. The movie captures the chaotic and hilarious events that unfold during the ceremony and the subsequent reception.

Sebastian Stan appears in an early role as Johnny Nunzio, the younger brother of the groom, Tony. His character is part of the raucous wedding party, contributing to the family drama and comedic situations that arise throughout the celebration. It was one of his first credited film roles.

‘The Covenant’ (2006)

This supernatural thriller centers on four high school students who are descendants of colonial families with magical powers. The friends must contend with the addictive nature of their abilities and the arrival of a new student who is a descendant of a fifth, banished family. This newcomer seeks to steal their power for himself.

Stan plays the film’s main antagonist, Chase Collins, the powerful and vengeful new student. He poses as a friend to the group while secretly plotting to destroy them and absorb their powers. His character is a central figure of conflict, driving the film’s action and suspense with his formidable magical abilities.

‘The Education of Charlie Banks’ (2007)

This independent drama is set in the 1980s and follows a college student named Charlie Banks. His peaceful life is disrupted when a violent and charismatic bully from his old neighborhood, Mick Leary, unexpectedly shows up on his campus. Charlie must confront his past and a dark secret he shares with Mick.

Stan portrays Leo Reilly, a friend of Charlie’s at college. He becomes entangled in the complicated and tense dynamic that develops after Mick’s arrival. His character is part of the friend group that is affected by the secrets and psychological games that unfold between the two main characters.

‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ (2010)

This sci-fi comedy follows three dissatisfied friends and one of their nephews who get transported back to a wild weekend in 1986 after a bizarre accident in a ski resort hot tub. They must relive the pivotal night without changing anything in order to ensure the nephew is born, but they struggle to resist the temptation to fix their past mistakes.

Stan plays Blaine, an obnoxious ski patrol officer and the primary antagonist from the 1986 timeline. He is a stereotypical 80s bully who constantly clashes with the main characters. His character provides a source of recurring conflict and comedic frustration for the time-traveling friends.

‘Black Swan’ (2010)

This psychological thriller delves into the high-pressure world of a prestigious New York City ballet company. The story follows Nina, a talented but mentally fragile ballerina who lands the lead role in a production of Swan Lake. The immense pressure of the role pushes her into a spiral of obsession and paranoia.

Sebastian Stan appears as Andrew, one of the suitors who is seen with Nina and her rival Lily at a bar. He and his friend are part of a scene that highlights Nina’s loosening inhibitions as she steps out of her comfort zone. The encounter contributes to the psychological unraveling that is central to the film’s plot.

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)

Set during World War II, this superhero film tells the origin story of Steve Rogers, a scrawny but courageous young man from Brooklyn who is transformed into the super-soldier Captain America. He becomes a symbol of hope and leads the fight against the evil HYDRA organization, which is led by the villainous Red Skull.

Stan made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James “Bucky” Barnes, Steve Rogers’s loyal best friend. Bucky is a charismatic and capable soldier who initially protects Steve before Steve’s transformation. His apparent death during a mission is a pivotal and heartbreaking moment that fuels Captain America’s resolve.

‘The Apparition’ (2012)

This supernatural horror film follows a young couple who discover they are being haunted by a malevolent entity. They learn that the presence was accidentally unleashed during a university parapsychology experiment. The couple must find a way to stop the entity before it consumes them completely.

Stan plays the lead role of Ben, the boyfriend who was involved in the original experiment that summoned the spirit. He and his girlfriend, Kelly, find their lives and their home under attack by the terrifying presence. His character must use his knowledge of the experiment to try and save them from the escalating paranormal activity.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2012)

This fantasy television series is set in a fictional seaside town called Storybrooke, Maine, where fairytale characters have been trapped without their memories by an evil queen’s curse. The show’s narrative weaves between the characters’ lives in the modern world and flashbacks to their pasts in the fairy tale world.

Stan had a memorable recurring guest role as Jefferson, who is the fairy tale character known as the Mad Hatter. He is a tormented individual who is trapped in the modern world but retains his memories of the enchanted forest. His character’s main motivation is to reunite with his lost daughter, Grace.

‘Political Animals’ (2012)

This television miniseries centers on Elaine Barrish, a former First Lady who is now serving as the Secretary of State. The series explores the complex world of a powerful political family, delving into the personal and professional challenges they face while navigating the highest levels of American government and the media scrutiny that comes with it.

Sebastian Stan portrayed Thomas “T.J.” Hammond, the openly gay son of Elaine Barrish. His character struggles with addiction and the immense pressures of living in a famous political family. T.J.’s personal turmoil and his complicated relationship with his mother were a major dramatic focus of the series.

‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)

This political thriller sees Captain America working for the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. in modern-day Washington, D.C. He uncovers a vast conspiracy within the organization and is forced to go on the run. He teams up with Black Widow and Falcon to expose the truth while being hunted by a mysterious and formidable assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

Stan makes a dramatic return as the Winter Soldier, a brainwashed HYDRA assassin with a metal arm. It is eventually revealed that he is actually Bucky Barnes, who survived his fall in the war and was experimented on for decades. His performance as the menacing and tragic villain is central to the film’s action and emotional core.

‘The Martian’ (2015)

This science fiction film tells the story of an American astronaut who is presumed dead and left behind on Mars after a fierce storm. With only meager supplies, he must use his ingenuity and scientific knowledge to survive on the hostile planet and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive, sparking a massive international rescue effort.

Stan plays Dr. Chris Beck, an astronaut and flight surgeon who is a member of the Ares III mission crew that is forced to leave Mars. He is part of the team that must make a difficult and dangerous decision about whether to defy orders and attempt a high-risk mission to go back and rescue their stranded crewmate.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

Political pressure to install a system of accountability for the Avengers causes a deep rift between the team’s leaders, Captain America and Iron Man. The conflict escalates when Bucky Barnes, still a fugitive, is framed for a terrorist attack. This forces Steve Rogers to protect his friend, leading to a direct and personal clash between the two factions of heroes.

Stan’s character, Bucky Barnes, is the catalyst for much of the film’s conflict. While he has started to regain his memories, he is still vulnerable to his past programming. His journey to clear his name and his deep friendship with Steve Rogers are at the emotional heart of the story, forcing the other heroes to choose sides.

‘I, Tonya’ (2017)

This biographical dark comedy chronicles the life of controversial figure skater Tonya Harding. The film follows her difficult upbringing, her rise in the competitive world of figure skating, and her subsequent downfall following the infamous 1994 attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan. The story is told through mockumentary-style interviews with the main characters.

Sebastian Stan portrays Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding’s abusive and reckless husband. His character is a central figure in the scandal, as he was directly involved in planning the attack on Kerrigan. Stan’s performance captured the complex and often contradictory nature of Gillooly as presented in the film.

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

In this epic crossover film, the Avengers and their allies must unite to stop the powerful warlord Thanos from collecting all six Infinity Stones. If Thanos succeeds, he will be able to wipe out half of all life in the universe with a single snap of his fingers. The heroes must fight a desperate battle on multiple fronts to prevent the impending catastrophe.

Stan appears as Bucky Barnes, who has been deprogrammed and is living peacefully in Wakanda, where he is known as the White Wolf. He joins the fight when Thanos’s forces attack, defending the nation alongside Captain America and the Wakandan army. He is one of the many heroes who tragically fall victim to Thanos’s success at the end of the film.

‘Destroyer’ (2018)

This neo-noir crime film stars Nicole Kidman as a burned-out and traumatized LAPD detective named Erin Bell. The story unfolds in the present day as well as through flashbacks to a disastrous undercover operation years earlier. When the leader of the gang she infiltrated resurfaces, she goes on a dark and obsessive journey to find him and confront her past.

Stan plays Chris, an undercover FBI agent who was Erin Bell’s partner during the original operation. The flashbacks reveal their complex professional and personal relationship as they went deep into the criminal underworld. His character is a key part of the tragic backstory that haunts the protagonist.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

Following the devastating events that wiped out half of all life, the remaining Avengers embark on one final, desperate mission. They devise a plan to travel back in time to retrieve the Infinity Stones from different points in the past. Their hope is to use the stones to reverse Thanos’s actions and bring everyone back.

Bucky Barnes is among the countless heroes who are resurrected as a result of the Avengers’ successful time heist. He appears in the film’s climactic final battle, joining the massive army of heroes in the fight against Thanos and his forces. His reunion with Steve Rogers is a key moment in the film’s emotional conclusion.

‘The Devil All the Time’ (2020)

This psychological thriller features an ensemble cast and a sprawling narrative set in rural southern Ohio and West Virginia. The story follows a cast of corrupt and disturbed characters whose lives intersect across two decades, from the end of World War II to the 1960s. The plot involves a young man who is devoted to protecting his loved ones from the evil that surrounds them.

Stan plays Sheriff Lee Bodecker, a corrupt and arrogant lawman who is more concerned with his own political ambitions than with justice. His character is entangled with many of the other sinister figures in the story. He represents the systemic corruption and moral decay present in the film’s dark world.

‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021)

This television series is set after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and follows Sam Wilson, also known as the Falcon, and Bucky Barnes. The two characters team up for a global adventure that tests their abilities and their patience with each other. They must confront a new anti-nationalist group and the complicated legacy of Captain America’s shield.

Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, who is now dealing with the trauma of his past as the Winter Soldier while trying to make amends. The series deeply explores his character’s psychology and his struggle to find his identity in a post-Thanos world. His evolving partnership with Sam Wilson is the core of the show.

‘Fresh’ (2022)

This horror-thriller follows a young woman named Noa who is frustrated with the modern dating scene. She meets a charming and handsome man named Steve in a grocery store, and after a few successful dates, she agrees to go away with him for a romantic weekend. However, she soon discovers that her new boyfriend is hiding a horrifying secret.

Stan plays the role of Steve, the charismatic man who is revealed to be a black-market surgeon with an appetite for human flesh. His character kidnaps women and sells their body parts as luxury meat for a wealthy clientele. Stan’s performance shifts from incredibly charming to utterly terrifying, making him a deeply unsettling villain.

‘Pam & Tommy’ (2022)

This biographical drama miniseries chronicles the turbulent marriage of actress Pamela Anderson and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the 1990s. The story focuses on the period when their private honeymoon videotape was stolen and released to the public without their consent, becoming one of the first viral videos in history.

Stan underwent a significant physical transformation to play the rock star Tommy Lee. His performance captured Lee’s energetic and chaotic personality, as well as the more vulnerable side of him during the scandal. The series explores themes of privacy, celebrity culture, and the early days of the internet.

‘Sharper’ (2023)

This neo-noir thriller features a twisting plot centered on a group of con artists operating in the high-stakes world of New York City’s billionaires. The story is told from multiple perspectives, with each chapter revealing new layers of deception and betrayal as the characters scheme to outwit one another for a massive fortune.

Stan plays Max, a brilliant and ruthless con man who is the mastermind behind many of the film’s elaborate schemes. His character is a charming and manipulative figure who is always several steps ahead of his targets and even his own partners. He is a key player in the intricate web of cons that drive the narrative.

‘Dumb Money’ (2023)

This biographical comedy-drama tells the story of the GameStop short squeeze, a major financial event that occurred in early 2021. The film follows a diverse group of ordinary people and amateur investors who managed to turn the tables on Wall Street hedge funds by causing the stock of the video game retailer to skyrocket.

Stan portrays Vlad Tenev, the co-founder and CEO of the stock trading app Robinhood. His character’s company plays a central and controversial role in the story. The film depicts the immense pressure he faces from both Wall Street and his app’s users when his platform makes the decision to restrict the trading of GameStop stock.

‘A Different Man’ (2024)

This psychological thriller follows an aspiring actor named Edward who suffers from neurofibromatosis, a condition that has caused severe facial disfigurement. He undergoes a radical new medical procedure that gives him a new, conventionally handsome face. However, he becomes obsessed when he learns that a play is being made about his old life and another actor has been cast to play him.

Stan, who also served as an executive producer, plays the lead role of Edward. The part required him to perform under heavy prosthetics for the first part of the film. His character’s journey is a dark and surreal exploration of identity, ambition, and the nature of perception in society.

‘The Apprentice’ (2024)

This biographical drama focuses on the early career of Donald Trump during the 1970s and 1980s in New York City. The film explores his formative years as he works to build his real estate empire. A central part of the story is his crucial and complex relationship with his mentor, the controversial lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn.

Sebastian Stan takes on the role of a young Donald Trump, depicting his ambition and the development of his public persona. The film examines how his relationship with Cohn helped shape his ruthless business and political tactics. The performance required Stan to adopt the future president’s distinct mannerisms and speech patterns.

‘Thunderbolts*’ (2025)

This film brings together a unique team of anti-heroes and reformed villains from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story follows a government-backed initiative that assembles a group of powerful individuals, including Bucky Barnes, for high-risk missions. This volatile squad must learn to work together, navigating their own dark pasts and clashing personalities to tackle threats that the Avengers can’t.

Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, now a seasoned hero grappling with his place in a world without Steve Rogers. As one of the most experienced members of the new team, he finds himself in a reluctant leadership position, trying to steer the unpredictable group toward redemption. His journey in the film continues to explore his path of atonement, this time by guiding others who are also looking for a second chance.

Which Sebastian Stan role do you think is his most transformative? Share your thoughts in the comments.