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Joshua Aaron Charles (born September 15, 1971) is an American film, television, and theater actor best known for playing Will Gardner on The Good Wife for which he was nominated which earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He also appeared in Sports Night, Dead Poets Society and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.

Early life

Joshua Aaron Charles was born on September 15, 1971[1][2] to Allan Charles, an advertising executive, and Laura Peyton.[3][4][5][6][7] He is Jewish on his father’s side and identifies as Jewish himself.[1][8][9] He began his career performing comedy at the age of 9. As a teenager, he spent several summers at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center in New York.[10] He attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he was a classmate of Jada Pinkett and Tupac Shakur.

Career

Film

Charles’s film debut was in John Waters‘s Hairspray in 1988. The following year, he starred alongside Robin Williams and Ethan Hawke in Dead Poets Society. He had also appeared in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, Threesome, Pie in the Sky, Muppets from Space, S.W.A.T, Four Brothers, After.Life, Crossing the Bridge, and Brief Interviews with Hideous Men.

Television

Charles played sports anchor Dan Rydell in Aaron Sorkin‘s Sports Night (1998–2000), for which he was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award.[11] In 2008, Charles appeared in season one of HBO’s In Treatment.[12] He played a recurring role in The Good Wife, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award twice; once in 2011 and another in 2014.

In 2011, Charles narrated the debut episode for NFL Network‘s A Football Life based on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.[13] In 2022, he starred in the HBO limited series We Own This City.[14]

In May 2025, Charles joined the cast of the American remake of the British series Doc Martin called Best Medicine.[15]

Theatre

Charles headlined a production of Jonathan Marc Sherman‘s Confrontation in 1986. In 2004, he appeared in the revival of Neil LaBute‘s The Distance from Here which received a Drama Desk Award for Best Ensemble Cast. In January 2006, he appeared in Richard Greenberg‘s The Well-Appointed Room at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago and Caryl Churchill‘s A Number at the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco. In 2007, he appeared in Adam Bock‘s The Receptionist at the Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City.

Charles appeared in the off-Broadway production of Annie Baker‘s The Antipodes at the Signature Theatre in 2017.[16][17] He made his Broadway debut in Straight White Men by Young Jean Lee at the Hayes Theater in 2018.[18][19][20]

Others

Charles appeared in Taylor Swift‘s music video for “Fortnight” in 2024, alongside his Dead Poets Society co-star, Ethan Hawke.[21]

Personal life

In September 2013, Charles married ballet dancer and author Sophie Flack. The couple lives in New York City.[22][23][24][25][26] On December 9, 2014, Flack gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son.[27] On August 23, 2018, Charles revealed on his Instagram that Flack gave birth to their second child, a daughter.[28]

Charles supports the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles.[11]

Politics

In 2011, Charles appeared in a Human Rights Campaign video in support of same-sex marriage. He also supported the 2012 Maryland same-sex marriage referendum.[29][30]

Charles supported Hillary Clinton‘s presidential campaign in 2016.[31] In 1999, the campaign of then-U.S. Senate candidate Hillary Clinton had requested a copy of a Sports Night episode in which Charles’s character Dan Rydell talks about his admiration for Clinton and recounts attending a fundraiser for her off-screen.[32][33][34]

In August 2014, Charles was amongst the Hollywood signatories for an open letter condemning Hamas attacks on Israel during the 2014 Gaza War.[35][36] In October 2023, he signed an open letter calling on President Biden to work toward the release of all Israeli hostages following the October 7 attacks.[37][38]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Hairspray Iggy
1989 Dead Poets Society Knox Overstreet
1991 Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Bryan
1992 Crossing the Bridge Mort Golden
1994 Threesome Eddy
1995 Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Bruce uncredited
1995 Coldblooded Randy
1996 The Grave Tyn
1996 Crossworlds Joe Talbot
1996 Pie in the Sky Charlie Dunlap
1997 Cyclops, Baby Brush Brody
1997 Little City Adam
1999 Muppets from Space Agent Barker
2000 Meeting Daddy Peter Silverblatt
2003 S.W.A.T. T. J. McCabe
2004 Seeing Other People Lou
2005 Four Brothers Detective Fowler
2006 The Darwin Awards Paramedic
2006 The Ex Forrest Mead
2009 After.Life Tom Peterson
2009 Brief Interviews with Hideous Men Subject No. 2
2014 Bird People Gary Newman
2014 Adult Beginners Phil
2015 I Smile Back Bruce Brooks
2015 Freeheld Bryan Kelder
2016 Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Chris
2016 Norman Arthur Taub
2016 The Drowning Tom Seymour
2018 Amateur Coach Gaines
2019 Framing John DeLorean Bill Collins [39]
2023 Memory Isaac
2024 Mothers’ Instinct Damian Jennings

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Murder in Mississippi Andrew Goodman Television film
1993 Cooperstown Jody Television film
1996 Norma Jean & Marilyn Eddie Jordan Television film
1997 The Underworld Ehrlich Television film
1998–2000 Sports Night Dan Rydell 45 episodes
2002 Our America Dave Isay Television film
2005 Stella Jeremy Episode: “Meeting Girls”
2007 Six Degrees Ray Jones 4 episodes
2008 In Treatment Jake 8 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Sean Kelley Episode: “Confession”
2009–2016 The Good Wife Will Gardner 107 episodes, also director (3 episodes)
2014–2016 Inside Amy Schumer Various 4 episodes
2015 Masters of Sex Dan Logan 10 episodes
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp Blake 6 episodes
2016–2017 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Duke Snyder 5 episodes
2016–2019 Drunk History Various 3 episodes
2017 Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Blake 6 episodes
Law & Order True Crime Dr. Jerome Oziel 7 episodes
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Forensic Scientist Episode: “Forensic Science”
2019 The Loudest Voice Casey Close 3 episodes
2020 Away Matt Logan 10 episodes
2021 Law & Order: Organized Crime Vince Baldi Episode: “Forget it, Jake; It’s Chinatown”
2022 We Own This City Daniel Hersl Miniseries, main cast
2023 The Power Daniel Dandon Recurring role
2024 The Veil Max Peterson 4 episodes
2025 The Handmaid’s Tale Commander Wharton 4 episodes
The American Revolution Joseph Warren / David Ramsay (voice) 5 episodes
2026 Best Medicine Dr. Martin Best Main role

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2024 “Fortnight” Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone [40]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Sports Night Nominated
2000 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series Nominated
2010 Satellite Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama The Good Wife Nominated
2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2011 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2012 Monte-Carlo Television Festival Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2014 Critics’ Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2014 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2014 People’s Choice Awards Favorite Dramatic Television Actor Won
2014 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2015 Critics’ Choice Television Awards Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Inside Amy Schumer Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Feinberg, Scott (June 21, 2012). “Emmys 2012: Josh Charles on Falling in Love with ‘The Good Wife’ (Video)”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 2, 2013. Josh Charles was born on September 15, 1971 in Baltimore, where he was also raised, and his career path was pretty much established before he was even a teenager…The fact that it’s something that started in Israel gave me, as a Jew, a tremendous sense of pride, to be perfectly frank with you. There’s such great creativity coming out of that country, and a lot of times we don’t always hear about that
  2. ^ “Josh Charles”. prod.tcm.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2025. (Not available outside the US.)
  3. ^ Sandler, Gilbert (July 16, 1996). “Baltimore Glimpses: the Hollywood trail”. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 8, 2013. Josh Charles is the son of Laura and Allen Charles
  4. ^ Josh Charles [@MrJoshCharles] (October 12, 2012). “My grandpa, Wilbur Heckscher” (Tweet). Retrieved September 8, 2013 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Desmon, Stephanie (February 17, 2008). “Lillian ‘Libby’ Charles”. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2015. her son Allan Charles, founding partner of Trahan Burden Charles … grandson is actor Josh Charles
  6. ^ Badger, Sylvia (January 28, 1996). “Local group visits Utah to bring films into Maryland”. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  7. ^ By (February 4, 1994). “Boosting state as site for moviemaking”. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  8. ^ “The American Israelite » Jewz in the Newz”. americanisraelite.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2025. Charles’ Jewish father was a prominent Baltimore advertising exec.
  9. ^ Writer, NATE BLOOMContributing (July 8, 2011). “Jewish Stars 7/15”. Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  10. ^ “kritiken/Abrahams”. June 29, 2017. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  11. ^ a b “Neyer: Mr. Baltimore”. ESPN.com. January 28, 2003. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  12. ^ “HBO: In Treatment: Jake & Amy”. May 10, 2008. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  13. ^ Forsberg, Chris. “Belichick documentary set for NFL Network – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston”. Espn.go.com. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (May 19, 2021). “Jon Bernthal, Josh Charles, Jamie Hector To Star In ‘We Own This City’ HBO Limited Series From ‘The Wire’ Team”. Deadline Hollywood.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 9, 2025). “Josh Charles To Star In Fox Adaptation Of British Hit ‘Doc Martin’ Ordered To Series For 2025-26”. Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  16. ^ “First Look at Josh Charles and Josh Hamilton in The Antipodes”. Playbill. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  17. ^ “Signature Theatre – The Antipodes at Signature Theatre”. April 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  18. ^ “See Straight White Men’s Armie Hammer, Josh Charles, Kate Bornstein, and More Meet the Press”. Playbill. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  19. ^ Evans, Greg (April 5, 2018). “Josh Charles To Make Broadway Debut In ‘Straight White Men’ With Armie Hammer”. Deadline. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  20. ^ “2econd Stage Theater”. August 19, 2018. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  21. ^ The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (May 7, 2024). Josh Charles Thought He Was Being Punk’d by Ethan Hawke About Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” Video. Retrieved March 22, 2025 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ Goldstein, Meredith (October 10, 2011). “A novel life: A former dancer’s new career takes shape – Boston Globe”. Boston.com. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  23. ^ Webber, Stephanie (September 7, 2013). “Josh Charles Wedding: Good Wife Star Marries Girlfriend Sophie Flack!”. Us Weekly. Retrieved September 8, 2013. Josh Charles … married longtime girlfriend Sophie Flack on Friday, Sept. 6
  24. ^ Chen, Joyce (January 4, 2018). “The Good Wife’s Josh Charles Just Snapped Up a $6.3 Million Condo in a Star-Studded NYC Building”. Architectural Digest. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  25. ^ Robinson, Kara Mayer (April 14, 2017). “How the Actor Josh Charles Spends His Sundays”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  26. ^ Fernandez, Jennifer (October 16, 2024). “Inside Josh Charles and Sophie Flack’s Creative Haven in Greenwich Village”. Architectural Digest. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  27. ^ Marquina, Sierra (December 12, 2014). “Josh Charles, Wife Sophie Flack Welcome Their First Child Together – a Baby Boy!”. Us Weekly. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  28. ^ Josh Charles Reveals The Birth of His Daughter, Instagram, 2018, archived from the original on December 26, 2021, retrieved August 23, 2018
  29. ^ “Watch Now: The Good Wife’s Josh Charles Takes a Stand for Marriage Equality”. E! Online. November 30, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  30. ^ Linskey, Annie (September 13, 2012). “New York star power behind Md. same-sex marriage law”. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  31. ^ Hillary Clinton (October 17, 2016). Josh Charles on the HFA Victory Counsel | Hillary Clinton. Retrieved January 28, 2025 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Starr, Michael (October 12, 1999). “‘SPORTS’ FAN HILLARY AWAITS ‘NIGHT’ GUY”. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Archerd, Army (October 12, 1999). “‘Sports’ features Hillary-inspired story”. Variety. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  34. ^ “Sports Night: “Special Powers”/”When Something Wicked This Way Comes”“. AV Club. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  35. ^ T. H. R. Staff (August 23, 2014). “More Than 190 Hollywood Notables Sign Pro-Israel Statement Criticizing Hamas”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  36. ^ “Creative Community For Peace – Commitment to Peace & Justice”. August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  37. ^ Donnelly, Matt (October 23, 2023). “Hollywood Stars and Executives Thank President Biden for Leadership, Call for Release of All Hamas Hostages”. Variety. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  38. ^ “NoHostageLeftBehind”. October 24, 2023. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  39. ^ Evans, Greg (March 6, 2019), ‘Framing John DeLorean’ Trailer: Alec Baldwin Stars Alongside Real DeLorean In New Hybrid Film
  40. ^ Saunders, Angel (April 19, 2024). “Taylor Swift Enlists Dead Poets Society Actors Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles for ‘Fortnight’ Music Video”. People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved April 20, 2024.