# Bruce Marchiano

Bruce Marchiano (born February 5, 1956) is an American actor and author best known for his portrayals of Jesus Christ in the Visual Bible film series.

## Early life

Marchiano was born in Los Angeles, California on February 5, 1956. His father is of Italian descent and his mother is of Syrian descent and he has one brother. He attended Catholic schools until graduating from Servite High School in Anaheim, California in 1973. A Dustin Hoffman film he saw in theaters when he was young inspired him to be an actor and he acted throughout high school.
Marchiano earned his B.A. in economics from California State University, Fullerton and a J.D. degree from Western State University. He passed the State Bar of California in 1980 but only actively practiced law in 2019.

## Career
### Acting career

Marchiano's first role was a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote, which was followed by appearances in LA Law, Columbo, and the low-budget horror film, Curse II: The Bite.
As of 2021, he has played Jesus in at least ten films; Higher Level Agency claims he has appeared as Jesus in more movies than any other actor. In the 2009 film Road to Emmaus, he portrayed Jesus' mysterious post-resurrection appearance to two disciples as described in the Gospel of Luke. He also voiced an animated Jesus in the children's animation Lion of Judah. In 2012, Marchiano portrayed Jesus in Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, a film about St. Peter recalling his early days as he prepares for his martyrdom in Rome. In 2014 he appeared as Jesus in The Week that Changed the World.

### Writing career

Marchiano has written four books, mostly about his experiences portraying Jesus:
* In the Footsteps of Jesus: One Man’s Journey (1997), Harvest House
* Jesus, the Man Who Loved Women: He Treasures, Esteems, and Delights in You (2008), Howard Books
* The Character of a Man: Reflecting the Image of Jesus (2010), Howard Books
* Jesus Wept (2012), Howard Books
He also wrote, directed, and appeared in the pro-life film Alison's Choice

## Marchiano Ministries

Marchiano runs Marchiano Ministries, a non-profit ministry based out of North Hollywood, California that goes on missionary trips to South Africa. He has given talks at schools and churches since 1993.

## Personal life

Marchiano grew up in the Catholic Church but became a Protestant in 1989. He and his wife Maria have two children, Shane and Brooke.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1987 | The Three Kings | | |
| 1989 | Curse II: The Bite | Deputy Barney | |
| 1993 | The Visual Bible: Matthew | Jesus | |
| 1994 | The Visual Bible: Acts | Jesus | Uncredited |
| 2001 | Legend of the Candy Cane | John Sonneman (voice) | TV movie |
| 2001 | Final Solution | Jake | |
| 2002 | Jesus the Christ | Jesus | |
| 2006 | Faith Happens | Peter | |
| 2010 | Road to Emmaus | Jesus | TV movie |
| 2010 | The Encounter | Jesus | |
| 2011 | The Lion of Judah | Jesus (voice) | |
| 2011 | The Heart of Christmas | Dr. McDowell | TV movie |
| 2012 | The Encounter: Paradise Lost | Jesus | |
| 2012 | Apostle Peter and the Last Supper | Jesus | |
| 2013 | Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End | The Stranger | |
| 2013 | This is Our Time | Professor Callahan | |
| 2013 | For Love's Sake | Dr. Clement Lloyd | |
| 2013 | Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire | The Stranger | |
| 2013 | Come Follow Me | Jesus | |
| 2014 | Revelation Road: The Black Rider | The Stranger | |
| 2015 | Alison's Choice | The Janitor/Jesus | Writer, director, producer |
| 2015 | My Son, My Savior | Jesus | |
| 2018 | Grace and Gravity | John Palmer | |
| 2019 | Overcomer | Pastor Mark | |
| 2020 | The Author, the Star, and the Keeper | Author | |
| 2021 | Banking on Christmas | Bob West | TV movie |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote | Assistant Director | Episode Murder to a Jazz Beat |
| 1987 | The New Mike Hammer | Gerald | Episode Green Blizzard |
| 1989 | Hardball | | Episode The Silver Scream |
| 1989 | Freddy's Nightmares | Rick | Episode Dream Come True |
| 1989 | Days of Our Lives | Scofini | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | L.A. Law | Catcher | Episode The Unsterile Cuckoo |
| 1990 | Generations | Starvos | 3 episodes |
| 1991 | Columbo | 2nd Technician | Episode Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star |
| 1995 | Models Inc. | Minister | Episode Sometimes a Great Commotion |
| 2016-2020 | The Encounter | Jesus, Victor, The Man | 14 episodes |