Billy Magnussen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Magnussen
Magnussen in 2018
Born	William Gregory Magnussen (1985-04-20) April 20, 1985 (age 40) New York City, U.S.
Education	University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2007–present

William Gregory Magnussen (born April 20, 1985) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in movies like Into the Woods (2014), Game Night (2018), and Aladdin (2019).

Magnussen has also appeared in many TV shows. In 2021, he starred in the science fiction series Made for Love. He also had roles in the movies The Many Saints of Newark and the James Bond film No Time to Die. More recently, he played Rey "The King" Kingston in Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023) and Pleakley in the live-action movie Lilo & Stitch (2025).

Besides movies and TV, he has also performed in plays on Broadway. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

Early life and education

Magnussen was born in Woodhaven, Queens, a part of New York City. His mother, Daina, was an aerobics instructor, and his father, Greg Magnussen, was a professional bodybuilder and kickboxer. He has two younger brothers.

His grandparents on his mother's side were immigrants from Lithuania. He has both Norwegian and Lithuanian heritage. When he was 10, his family moved from Queens to Cumming, Georgia. He graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2003. After high school, he studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Acting career

Stage performances

Magnussen began his career on Broadway in 2007 in a play called The Ritz. In 2012, he acted with famous actors David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver in the play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. For his role as Spike, Magnussen was nominated for a Tony Award, which is a major award for theater performances. In 2014, he starred in the play ... with Strangers with actress Anna Gunn.

Movie roles

Magnussen has appeared in many films. He played a World War II hero in the 2011 movie The Lost Valentine. In 2014, he had a breakout role as Rapunzel's Prince in the Disney movie Into the Woods.

In 2019, he played the new character Prince Anders in Disney's live-action version of Aladdin. He also appeared in the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die, as a CIA officer named Logan Ash. In 2025, he returned to Disney to play the alien Pleakley in the live-action movie Lilo & Stitch.

Television appearances

Magnussen is also known for his roles on television. From 2008 to 2010, he was a main character on the soap opera As the World Turns. He played Kato Kaelin in the TV series American Crime Story, which was about the famous court case of O. J. Simpson.

He has also guest-starred in many popular shows, including Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In 2018, he played a high school teacher in the series Tell Me a Story.

Music career

Besides acting, Magnussen is also a musician. He used to be the bass player for a rock band called The Dash. He also plays guitar for another band called Reserved for Rondee.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Billy Magnussen para niños