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Edi Gathegi

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Edi Gathegi
Gathegi in 2009
Born
Edi Mūe Gathegi[1]

(1979-03-10) March 10, 1979 (age 47)
Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Education
OccupationActor
Years active2006–present
Spouse
Adriana Marinescu
​
(m. 2018)​

Edi Mūe Gathegi (/ˈɛdi ˈmweɪ ɡəˈθɛɡi/;[citation needed] born March 10, 1979) is a Kenyan-American actor. He had his breakthrough playing Dr. Jeffrey "Big Love" Cole on the fourth season of the television series House (2007), followed by his roles as Cheese in the 2007 film Gone Baby Gone, vampire Laurent in the films Twilight and its sequel The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and as Darwin in X-Men: First Class. He played covert operative Matias Solomon on The Blacklist, which he reprised for the spinoff series The Blacklist: Redemption.[2]

Gathegi is also featured in the AMC series Into the Badlands as Baron Jacobee. He has also played a leading role in Startup, a television drama series on Crackle. Since 2022, Gathegi has played engineer and entrepreneur Dev Ayesa in the Apple TV+ original science fiction space drama series For All Mankind, and played Mister Terrific in the DC Universe film Superman (2025).

Early life

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Born on March 10, 1979,[3] in Nairobi, Kenya, Gathegi grew up in Albany, California, U.S.[4][5] Gathegi attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he played basketball until a knee injury ended his career. Gathegi then began taking acting classes.[5] He studied at New York University's Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2005.[6] Gathegi's career began in theatre,[7] and his stage credits include Two Trains Running at the Old Globe Theatre, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Cyrano de Bergerac, among others.[1]

Career

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Gathegi's first professional role was the Haitian Cabbie in the 2006 film, Crank. Though he had originally auditioned for the role of Kaylo, the producers gave the role to Efren Ramirez and instead offered Gathegi an appearance as the Haitian Cabbie.[7] He was skeptical at first about performing a Haitian accent but was coached by a Haitian friend.[7] In 2007, after guest-starring on Lincoln Heights and Veronica Mars, Gathegi went on to star as Bodie in Death Sentence, Darudi in The Fifth Patient, and Cheese in Gone Baby Gone. He later had a recurring role as Mormon intern Dr. Jeffrey Cole in the television medical drama House. His character was often mocked for his religious beliefs by Dr. House, who himself is an atheist. He also guest-starred in CSI: Miami, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Life on Mars in 2008 before being cast as Laurent in Twilight. When Gathegi first auditioned for the 2008 film, adapted from the same-titled first book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, he had not heard of the series and was not aware that his character was a vampire.[8] Gathegi later read the whole series and now considers himself a hardcore fan.[8][9]

He portrayed Eddie Willers in Atlas Shrugged (2011), based on Ayn Rand's novel of the same name. He later portrayed another Haitian character, Jean Baptiste, in the fifth season of Justified, but was unhappy with the role and asked to be written off the show.[10][11] He has also been a recurring character in NBC's television series The Blacklist as Matias Solomon, an operative for a covert organization. Gathegi reprised the role in the 2016–2017 season crime thriller The Blacklist: Redemption.[2] He also portrays the character Ronald Dacey on StartUp. In July 2025, Gathegi appeared as Mister Terrific in the DC Universe (DCU) film Superman (2025).[12]

Personal life

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Gathegi married Romanian dancer Adriana Marinescu in 2018.[13][14]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2006CrankHaitian Cabbie
2007Gone Baby GoneCheese
The Fifth PatientDarudi
Death SentenceBodie
2008TwilightLaurent
2009My Bloody Valentine 3DDeputy Martin
The Twilight Saga: New MoonLaurent
2010This Is Not a MovieGhost of Jimmy
2011X-Men: First ClassArmando Muñoz / Darwin
Atlas ShruggedEddie Willers
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part ILaurentFlashback only
2014Bleeding HeartDex
2015This Isn't FunnyRyan
AlohaLt. Col. Curtis
Criminal ActivitiesMarques
2016The WatcherNoah
2018PimpKenny Wayne
Better Start RunningFitz Paradise
2019Princess of the RowBeaumont "Bo" WillisAlso producer[15]
2020The Last Thing He WantedJones
2021CagedHarlow ReidAlso executive producer[16]
The Harder They FallBill Pickett
2023 Aporia Mal
2025 Superman Michael Holt / Mister Terrific
2027 Man of Tomorrow † Post-production[17]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2007HouseDr. Jeffrey ColeRecurring role; 7 episodes
Lincoln HeightsBoa3 episodes
Veronica MarsZeke MolindaEpisode: "I Know What You'll Do Next Summer"
2008CSI: MiamiFreddie MaysEpisode: "Tunnel Vision"
Life on MarsFletcher BellowEpisode: "Things to Do in New York When You Think You're Dead"
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSkinny DudeEpisode: "Leave Out All the Rest"
2011NikitaKalume UngaraEpisode: "Girl's Best Friend"
2012Phineas and FerbIggy/Various characters2 episodes
2013The Family ToolsDarren PoyntonMain role; 10 episodes
Beauty & the BeastKyle3 episodes
Red WidowLeon
2014JustifiedJean Baptiste4 episodes
Wild CardTresUnsold television pilot[18]
2015ProofZedMain role; 10 episodes
2015–2016The BlacklistMatias SolomonRecurring role; 13 episodes
2015Into the BadlandsJacobee2 episodes
2016–18StartUpRonald DaceyMain role; 30 episodes
2017The Blacklist: RedemptionMatias SolomonMain role; 8 episodes[2]
2020BriarpatchA.D. SingeMain role
2022The Guardians of JusticeMr. Smiles7 episodes
2022–presentFor All MankindDev AyesaMain role; season 3–present[19]

Audio

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Year Title Role Notes
2023 The Mantawauk Caves James Fincher Main role; podcast[20]

Awards and nominations

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Award Date of ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Astra TV Awards January 8, 2024 Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Drama Series For All Mankind Nominated [21]
Black Reel Awards February 28, 2022 Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male The Harder They Fall Nominated [22]
Critics' Choice Super Awards August 6, 2026 Best Actor in a Superhero Movie Superman Nominated [23]
Drama Desk Awards June 3, 2018 Special Award[a][b] Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train Honored [24]
[25]
Gotham Awards November 29, 2021 Ensemble Tribute Award[c] The Harder They Fall Won [26]
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards March 19, 2012 Lead Actor in a Play Superior Donuts Won [27]
Lucille Lortel Awards May 6, 2018 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train Nominated [28]
Method Fest Independent Film Festival March 22–28, 2019 Audience Award[d] Princess of the Row Won [29]
Breakout Acting Award Won
Obie Awards May 18, 2018 Distinguished Performance by an Actor[e] Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train Won [30]
Ovation Awards September 19, 2011 Featured Actor in a Play Superior Donuts Nominated [31]
Saturn Awards March 8, 2026 Best Supporting Actor Superman Nominated [32]
Teen Choice Awards August 7, 2011 Choice Movie: Chemistry[f] X-Men: First Class Nominated [33]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Shared with Sean Carvajal
  2. ↑ For last-minute entrances into the Signature Theatre Company production of Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, ensuring it had a happy real-life ending after replacing Reg E. Cathey in late September for an October 5th first preview
  3. ↑ Shared with Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler & RJ Cyler
  4. ↑ Shared with Van Maximilian Carlson & A Shawn Austin
  5. ↑ Shared with Sean Carvajal
  6. ↑ Shared with Lucas Till, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz & Caleb Landry Jones

References

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  1. 1 2 Shirlene Alusa-Brown (April 7, 2008). "Edi Mue Gathegi – Slated to Shine in 'Twilight'". Jamati Online. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  2. 1 2 3 Andreeva, Nellie (March 29, 2016). "The Blacklist Spinoff Starring Famke Janssen In the Works At NBC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ Rose, Mike (March 10, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for March 10, 2023 includes celebrities Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Edi Gathegi: I've worked hard to win in Hollywood". Daily Nation. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  5. 1 2 Handley, Cassandra (November 4, 2008). "Q&A: Twilight's Edi Gathegi". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  6. ↑ "NYU Graduate Acting Alumni". 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
  7. 1 2 3 "Twilight Lexicon Q&A with Edi Gathegi" (PDF). TwilightLexicon.com. March 10, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  8. 1 2 Martin, Denise (October 28, 2008). "'Twilight' Countdown: Edi Gathegi's vampire love". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  9. ↑ Castillo, Sara (August 4, 2008). "We Speak with 'Twilight's' Jacob and Laurent!". FearNet.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  10. ↑ Bierly, Mandi (February 5, 2014). "'Justified' postmortem: EP Graham Yost dissects 'Shot All to Hell'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Justified Creator Graham Yost Vents About Critical Backlash for Season Five". Vanity Fair. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  12. ↑ Breznican, Anthony (July 11, 2023). "Superman Legacy Cast Adds Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion: EXCLUSIVE". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Edi Gathegi and Adriana Marinescu arrive at the closing ceremony of..." Getty Images. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  14. ↑ "Bombă în lumea filmului: actorul din Twilight s-a însurat, în secret, cu o vedetă din România!" [Bombshell in the film world: Twilight actor secretly marries a Romanian star!]. divahair.ro (in Romanian). June 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  15. ↑ DeFore, John (2020-11-26). "'Princess of the Row': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  16. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (2020-12-10). "'Caged': Watch The First Trailer For Thriller Starring Edi Gathegi, Melora Hardin & Angela Sarafyan". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  17. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (2026-08-26). "'Superman' Sequel 'Man Of Tomorrow' Wraps Filming: "Truly A Joyful Experience"". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  18. ↑ "Jennifer Finnigan to Star in USA Pilot 'Wild Card'". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  19. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (June 15, 2021). "For All Mankind Season 3: Blacklist Vet Edi Gathegi Joins Cast as Series Regular". TVLine. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Mystery, Murder and THE MANTAWAUK CAVES". 15 March 2023.
  21. ↑ admin (2023-09-24). "HCA TV Awards Nominations | The Astras". The Astra Awards Presented by The Hollywood Creative Alliance. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  22. ↑ "AwardsWatch - Black Reel Awards: 'The Harder They Fall' sets record with 20 nominations, women directors make history". AwardsWatch. 2021-12-16. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  23. ↑ "Winners Announced For The Critics Choice Association's 6th Annual "Critics Choice Super Awards" – Critics Choice". Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  24. ↑ Andrew Gans, "Signature’s Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train Delayed Two Days Following Departure of Reg E. Cathey", Playbill, September 28th, 2017.
  25. ↑ "2018 Nominees". dramadeskawards.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018.
  26. ↑ Feinberg, Scott (2021-10-18). "Gotham Awards: Cast of 'The Harder They Fall' to Receive Ensemble Tribute (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  27. ↑ "Full LA Drama Critics Circle Award Winners; A RAISIN IN THE SUN Wins 4".
  28. ↑ "2018 Nominations". www.lortelaward.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-23. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  29. ↑ "'Princess of the Row' Wins Audience Award at Method Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. April 2019.
  30. ↑ "2018 Obies Winners and Performances". 19 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  31. ↑ "Kiss Me Kate Tops 2011 Ovation Award Nominations". 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  32. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (2026-01-27). "'Sinners', 'Avatar: Fire And Ash', 'Fantastic Four' And 'Dexter: Resurrection' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2026-01-28. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
  33. ↑ "Teen Choice Awards 2011 Nominees Announced: Harry Potter vs Twilight". HuffPost. 2011-06-29. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2026-08-07.
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