Cory Michael Smith

1.1. Childhood and academic background

Smith was born on November 14, 1986, in Columbus, Ohio, where he also grew up. He completed his high school education at Hilliard Darby High School, graduating in 2005. During his formative years, Smith harbored varied career aspirations, at one point considering paths ranging from becoming a concert pianist to pursuing a career as a lawyer.

1.2. University activities

Smith attended Otterbein University, where he immersed himself in the performing arts. He pursued a major in art musical theater, complementing it with a minor in jazz piano. While at Otterbein, he actively participated in numerous theater productions, showcasing his talent in plays such as The Scene, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Tartuffe. Despite his dedication to musical theater, he also considered changing his academic focus to philosophy or pre-law, indicating a broad intellectual curiosity beyond acting.

2.1. Early career and theater activities

Smith commenced his professional acting career in 2009, engaging in various regional theater productions. He appeared in plays for institutions like New York Stage and Film and starred in The Fantasticks at both the Barrington Stage Company and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. His early stage work also included Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them. In 2011, he was featured in the New York City premiere of The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World at Playwrights Horizons.

He made his highly anticipated Broadway debut in 2013 with Breakfast at Tiffany's, a production that also featured Emilia Clarke. In the same theater season, Smith also took on notable roles Off-Broadway. He starred in the U.S. premiere of Cock, also known as The Cockfight Play, by Mike Bartlett. Additionally, he appeared in The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter, which premiered globally at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts before its New York premiere at Playwrights Horizons. In 2013, he also played Billy Cane in Bright Star at the Powerhouse Theater and in 2017, he played Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins at New York City Center.

2.2. Film and television appearances

Smith's transition into film began with Camp X-Ray, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in January. He also appeared in the short horror film Dog Food that same year, co-starring with Amanda Seyfried, which debuted at the 2014 South by Southwest festival in March.

His television debut came with the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge, where he played Dr. Kevin Coulson. He has also featured in several films by acclaimed director Todd Haynes, including Carol (2015), where he played Tommy Tucker, Wonderstruck (2017), portraying Walter, and May December (2023), in which he played Georgie Atherton. In 2018, Smith secured his first leading role in the independent drama 1985, playing Adrian Lester. Other significant film roles include portraying Roger B. Chaffee in First Man (2018), Jeremy Salt in The Same Storm (2021), Dean in Call Jane (2022), and Chevy Chase in Jason Reitman's 2024 film Saturday Night. He also narrated the 2023 short film Incomplete.

2.3. Role as Edward Nygma / The Riddler

One of Smith's most prominent roles is that of Edward Nygma, who later becomes the iconic villain The Riddler, in the popular television series Gotham, which aired from 2014 to 2019. Smith's portrayal delved into the character's complex evolution. He expressed excitement about tracing Nygma's journey from a relatively innocent, well-intentioned, and joyful individual to a more sinister figure as he begins to discover and harness a darker side of himself. Smith emphasized his interpretation of the character, noting the diverse ways The Riddler has been depicted across different media, from incredibly ostentatious to professional or even regal. He found the character's versatility, oscillating between a showman and a nerd, particularly compelling. Smith described Nygma's arc as a quest to "claim his identity and claim his power," ultimately transforming him into a formidable player in the criminal landscape rather than a "flimsy young lad." This nuanced approach to the character's development contributed significantly to his acclaim.

2.4. Other activities

Beyond his traditional acting roles, Smith has expanded his professional engagements to include other forms of performance. He lent his voice to an episode of The New York Times Modern Love Podcast. In this capacity, he provided the narration for Kalle Oskari Mattila's essay titled "Catfishing Strangers to Find Myself," further showcasing his versatility as a performer.

3.1. Personal background

In a March 2018 interview, Cory Michael Smith publicly stated that he identifies as queer. This public declaration offered insight into his personal background and contributed to broader conversations around LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.

4.1. Film

4.2. Television

4.3. Theater