23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Meet Jake Cannavale, The Mandalorian breakout star and Bobby Cannavale's son: from his famous lineage to Nurse Jackie debut and playing Aaron Hernandez's love interest in American Sports Story
Jake Cannavale is not your typical Hollywood legacy kid. Sure, he's got that famous last name and a family tree that boasts some of Hollywood's biggest legends, yet he's anything but predictable. He didn't exactly grow up dreaming of becoming an actor – he thought he had no choice. But as fate would have it, acting found him. After a spontaneous audition for television series Nurse Jackie (in which he hilariously played opposite his father) his talent became impossible to ignore.
Jake Cannavale has an impressive family tree. Photo: @jakecannavalebro/Instagram
Whether he's melting faces as the frontman of a grindcore band or showing up in The Mandalorian, Jake, 29, is all about doing things his way. With his offbeat charm and rebellious streak, he's the kind of guy who'd rather talk metal bands than film premieres.
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Not familiar with him? Keep reading to learn more about Bobby Cannavale's eldest son.
Jake Cannavale is Hollywood royalty
Jake Cannavale doesn't rely on his famous lineage for his breaks.
One would think Jake's last name might open doors in Hollywood, but he's quick to note that it's not always a free pass. 'They assume you're just a kid who's trying to make a buck off of your lineage,' he told The Face in 2020. And with a celebrated family that includes father and Boardwalk Empire star Bobby Cannavale, 54; grandfather Sidney Lumet, the director; and great-grandmother Lena Horne, stellar actress and singer, it's easy to see why.
The Mandalorian made him a rising star
Jake has made a name for himself on screen, with credits for the likes of Romance & Cigarettes (2005) as well as Nurse Jackie (2012) under his belt, according to his IMDb page. But what really grabbed fans' attention was his role as Toro Calican in The Mandalorian (2019). The Star Wars spin-off series on Disney+ became a global hit, with Jake's portrayal of the cocky, bounty-hunting rookie in episode five showing off his acting skills.
He didn't want to be an actor
