Michael Stahl-David (born October 28, 1982) is an American actor, known for his role as Sean Donnelly on the NBC drama series The Black Donnellys and his lead role as Robert "Rob" Hawkins in the J. J. Abrams-produced film Cloverfield.
Early life Stahl-David was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of physicians. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago. He is the older brother to Eric Stahl-David and R. Andrew Stahl-David, both of whom graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School. Prior to his acting career, Stahl-David was a graffiti artist in Chicago.
Career Stahl-David began his acting career in 2001, when he played a minor role of Rossetti in New Port South. In 2003, he played a minor role as Craig in Uncle Nino. During this time he was active in the Chicago theater scene, appearing in plays at the Steppenwolf Theatre (One Arm, Theater District), Victory Gardens Theater (Cider House Rules, Lost in Yonkers), and the Goodman Theatre (The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?) Shortly after arriving in New York in 2005, he appeared as Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank at the Paper Mill Playhouse. In the winter of 2007 he enjoyed critical success in his role in The Overwhelming Off-Broadway.New York Times October 24, 2007 Stahl-David began his television acting career in 2007, when he made a guest appearance as Riordan Grady in the series Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Players". Later in 2007, he portrayed Sean Donnelly, one of the four Irish brothers, in the short-lived series The Black Donnellys. The following year he appeared in the J.J. Abrams-produced Cloverfield playing the role of Rob. In September 2008, Stahl-David starred in and directed the web series Michael Stahl-David: Behind the Star on Crackle.
In 2010, Stahl-David starred in the ABC mockumentary series My Generation, which was cancelled after two episodes due to low ratings. Stahl-David starred as Kevin in the Off-Broadway play Picked at New York City's Vineyard Theatre from April 6 to May 15, 2011. Stahl-David also starred in the 2014 paranormal romance film In Your Eyes as one of the lead roles.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 New Port South Rossetti 2003 Uncle Nino Craig 2008 Cloverfield Robert "Rob" Hawkins 2008 Justin 2010 No Deal Mark Short film; also producer and writer 2012 Girls Against Boys Simon 2013 Love & Air Sex Stan 2013 Steve 2013 Mutual Friends Paul 2014 Take Care Kyle 2014 In Your Eyes Dylan Kershaw 2015 Lay in Wait Robert Short film 2016 LBJ Robert F. Kennedy 2016 Brad 2017 Matt 2017 Please Stand By Jack 2025 Looking Through Water Young William McKay 2025 Protector Detective John BLake 2026 The Last Day Ben Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Riordan Grady Episode: "Players" 2007 Sean "Seanny" Donnelly Main role; 13 episodes 2009 Kings Paul Ash 3 episodes 2009 Numbers Josh Skinner Episode: "Animal Rites" 2009 Mercy Phil Episode: "I Believe You Conrad" 2010 My Generation Steven Foster Main role 2012 Person of Interest William Ingram 2 episodes 2013 Don't Trust the B— in Apartment 23 Teddy Episode: "Teddy Trouble..." 2014 New Girl Ian Episode: "Goldmine" 2015 Newsreaders Chip Dunstreet Episode: "How the Sausage Is Made; Lottery Winners Lose" 2015 Nathan Bacevich Episode: "Undisclosed Recipients" 2015 Show Me a Hero James Surdoval Miniseries; 6 episodes 2015 Just in Time for Christmas Jason Stewart Television film 2017 Narcos DEA agent Chris Feistl Main role (season 3) 2018 Kenneth Main role (season 2) 2019 ChambersCoach Jones5 episodes 2019 Evil Tom McCrystal Episode: "Rose390" 2019–2020 Almost FamilyDonovan8 episodes 2022 Good Sam Dr. Caleb Tucker Main cast
Web Year Title Role Notes 2008 T Takes The guest in Room 102 Episode: "Room 102"
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2003 The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Billy Goodman TheatreNovember 10 – December 2, 2003 2006 The Diary of Anne Frank Peter van Daan Paper Mill PlayhouseJanuary 18 – February 26, 2006 2007 Strangers Knocking Michael Acorn TheaterMay 14 – June 3, 2007 2007 Geoffrey Exley Laura Pels TheatreOctober 23 – December 23, 2007 2011 Picked Kevin Vineyard TheatreApril 6 – May 15, 2011 2013–2014 Gabe Manhattan Theatre ClubNovember 21, 2013 – February 9, 2014 2015 Buzzer Don The Public TheaterMarch 21 – April 28, 2015 2016 Engagements Mark Second Stage TheaterJuly 18 – August 14, 2016
References
External links