1. Early life and education
Thomas Christian Sadoski was born on July 1, 1976, in Bethany, Connecticut, to parents of Polish-American descent. He spent his formative years and was raised in College Station, Texas. Sadoski pursued higher education at the University of North Texas for one semester before transferring to the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City, from which he graduated in 1998.
2. Career
Thomas Sadoski has built a diverse and acclaimed acting career, spanning significant roles in theatre, film, television, and audio productions. His work often involves collaborations with prominent playwrights and directors, and he has received numerous awards and nominations for his performances across these mediums.
2.1. Stage career
Sadoski began his professional stage career as an understudy for Mark Ruffalo and Mark Rosenthal in the Off-Broadway production of Kenneth Lonergan's acclaimed play This Is Our Youth at the Second Stage Theater in 1998. This marked the beginning of a long association with New York-based theatre companies. He has since appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, as well as in regional theaters.
In 2008, Sadoski originated the role of Greg in Neil LaBute's play reasons to be pretty for MCC Theater, where he starred alongside Alison Pill, who would later become his co-star in The Newsroom. Following a critically lauded and sold-out Off-Broadway run, the play transferred to Broadway in April 2009. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play, a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play, an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play, and a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance. Neil LaBute credited Sadoski with inspiring a notable shift in the tone of reasons to be pretty compared to his earlier, often darker works, stating that Sadoski's "thoughtfulness and good heart helped me to not fall back on anything that I had done before."
In 2011, Sadoski originated the role of Trip Wyeth in Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities. His portrayal earned him an Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actor and a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play. This play also had a sold-out Off-Broadway run before transferring to Broadway in November 2011, where it was recognized as Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play by the Outer Critics Circle. Sadoski also appeared on Broadway in John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves, sharing the stage with notable actors such as Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Alison Pill.
His other notable stage performances include:
| Year | Play | Author | Role | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | This Is Our Youth | Kenneth Lonergan | Warren / Dennis understudy | McGinn-Cazale Theatre, New York, NY; Fairbanks Theatre, New York, NY | Professional debut |
| 1999 | Gemini | Albert Innaurato | Randy Hastings | Second Stage, New York, NY | |
| 2000 | The Hot L Baltimore | Lanford Wilson | Paul Granger III | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | |
| 2000 | The Skin of Our Teeth | Thornton Wilder | Henry Antrobus | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | |
| 2001 | Street Scene | Elmer Rice | Samuel Kaplan | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | |
| 2001 | The Waverly Gallery | Kenneth Lonergan | Daniel Reed | Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT | |
| 2002 | Left | Richard Nelson | Eddie | Powerhouse Theatre, Poughkeepsie, NY | World Premiere |
| 2002 | The General From America | Richard Nelson | Matlack / Pauling | Alley Theatre, Houston, TX; Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York, NY | |
| 2003 | Where We're Born | Lucy Thurber | Tony | Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2004 | Reckless | Craig Lucas | Tom / Tom, Jr / Man in Ski Mask | Biltmore Theatre, New York, NY | Broadway debut |
| 2004 | Rodney's Wife | Richard Nelson | Ted | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | World Premiere |
| 2005 | Moonlight and Magnolias | Ron Hutchinson | David O. Selznick | Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA | |
| 2006 | Jump/Cut | Neena Beber | Paul | Julia Miles Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2006 | The Mistakes Madeline Made | Elizabeth Meriwether | Buddy | Bleecker Street Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2006 | All This Intimacy | Rajiv Joseph | Ty | McGinn-Cazale Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2006/2007 | The Santaland Diaries | David Sedaris | Crumpet | Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT | |
| 2007 | Stay | Lucy Thurber | Billy | Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2007 | Dissonance | Damian Lanigan | Hal | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | World Premiere |
| 2007 | The Joke | Sam Marks | Eddie | Studio Dante, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2008 | reasons to be pretty | Neil LaBute | Greg | Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2008 | Becky Shaw | Gina Gionfriddo | Andrew | Second Stage Theatre, New York, NY | New York Premiere |
| 2009 | reasons to be pretty | Neil LaBute | Greg | Lyceum Theatre, New York, NY | LaBute's Broadway debut |
| 2010 | The Bridge Project II: As You Like It / The Tempest | William Shakespeare | Touchstone / Stephano | BAM Harvey Lichtenstein Theater, Brooklyn, NY; Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong, HK; Esplanade Theatre, Singapore, SG; Théâtre Marigny, Paris, FR; Teatro Español, Madrid, ES; Ruhrfestspiele, Recklinghausen, DE; Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam, NL; The Old Vic, London, UK; Teatro Palacio Valdés, Avilès, ES | Directed by Sam Mendes |
| 2011 | Other Desert Cities | Jon Robin Baitz | Trip Wyeth | Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2011 | The House of Blue Leaves | John Guare | Billy Einhorn | Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, NY | Broadway |
| 2011 | Other Desert Cities | Jon Robin Baitz | Trip Wyeth | Booth Theatre, New York, NY | Broadway |
| 2012 | Build | Michael Golamco | Kip | Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles, CA | World Premiere |
| 2015 | The Way We Get By | Neil LaBute | Doug | Second Stage Theatre, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2017 | Moscow, Moscow, Moscow, Moscow, Moscow, Moscow | Halley Feiffer | Andrey | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | World Premiere |
| 2018 | Belleville | Amy Herzog | Zack | Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA | |
| 2019 | White Noise | Suzan-Lori Parks | Ralph | Public Theater, New York, NY | World Premiere |
| 2019 | Grand Horizons | Bess Wohl | Ben | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, MA | World Premiere |
| 2022 | Wedding Band | Alice Childress | Herman | Theatre for a New Audience, New York, NY | NYC revival |
2.2. Film career
Sadoski made his film debut in the 2000 romantic comedy Loser, directed by Amy Heckerling. He has since appeared in a variety of feature films and short films, often taking on supporting roles that contribute significantly to the narrative. His filmography includes appearances in critically acclaimed dramas and action thrillers.
Notable film roles include Paul in the 2014 biographical adventure drama Wild, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, and Officer Jimmy in the action film franchise John Wick (2014) and its sequel John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), both directed by Chad Stahelski. In 2022, he portrayed Dick Cevoli in the biographical war drama Devotion, directed by J. D. Dillard.
His film appearances include:
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Loser | Chris | Amy Heckerling | Film debut |
| 2002 | Winter Solstice | Chris Bender | Josh Sternfeld | |
| 2003 | Happy Hour | Scott | Mike Bencivenga | |
| 2004 | Company K | Corp. Richard Mundy | Robert Clem | |
| 2008 | The New Twenty | Feliz Canavan | Chris Mason Johnson | |
| 2009 | Split | Oliver | Jamie Buckner | Short film |
| 2012 | 30 Beats | Julian | Alexis Lloyd | |
| 2012 | BFF | Jack | Neil LaBute | Short film; Official selection Tribeca Film Festival |
| 2013 | The Dramatics | Gordon Bullard | Scott Rodgers | |
| 2014 | Take Care | Devon | Liz Tuccillo | |
| 2014 | It's Okay | Him | Tamar Levine | Short film; World Premiere at 2014 Palm Springs International Shortfest |
| 2014 | Wild | Paul | Jean-Marc Vallée | |
| 2014 | John Wick | Officer Jimmy | Chad Stahelski | |
| 2015 | I Smile Back | Donny | Adam Salky | |
| 2017 | John Wick: Chapter 2 | Officer Jimmy | Chad Stahelski | |
| 2017 | The Last Word | Robin Sands | Mark Pellington | |
| 2017 | The Games We Play | Paul | Annika Marks and Rich Newey | Short film |
| 2018 | Home Shopper | James Turner | Dev Patel | Short film |
| 2018 | Holy Moses | Sheriff | Eli Powers | Short film |
| 2020 | The Mimic | The Narrator | Thomas F. Mazziotti | |
| 2020 | Killing Eleanor | Greg | Rich Newey | |
| 2021 | Stalking the Bogeyman | The Bogeyman | Markus Potter & Jack Dorfman | Short film |
| 2021 | Skin & Bone | Christian | Eli Powers | |
| 2022 | Devotion | Dick Cevoli | J. D. Dillard | |
| 2024 | Lilly | Jon Goldfarb | Rachel Feldman | Completed |
2.3. Television career
Sadoski is widely recognized for his prominent roles in television dramas and sitcoms. He starred as Don Keefer, a news producer, in the Aaron Sorkin-created HBO series The Newsroom from 2012 to 2014, appearing in 25 episodes as a series regular. From 2015 to 2019, he played Matt Short in the CBS sitcom Life in Pieces, a main cast member for 79 episodes. In 2020, he took on the role of Mayor Buddy Gray as a series regular in the television series Tommy. More recently, he appeared in The Crowded Room (2023) and American Sports Story (2024).
He has also made guest appearances and held recurring roles in various popular television series, including multiple installments of the Law & Order franchise.
His television appearances include:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Law & Order | Robert Barnes | Episode: "Criminal Law" (Season 16, Episode 9) |
| 2007 | As the World Turns | Jesse Calhoun | 8 episodes (April 23, 2007 - May 16, 2007) |
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Patrick Cardell | Episode: "Lonelyville" (Season 7, Episode 4) |
| 2009 | Ugly Betty | Ryan the Caterer / Patrick | Episode: "Dress for Success" (Season 3, Episode 11) |
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Joe Thagard | Episode: "Anchor" (Season 11, Episode 10) |
| 2012-2014 | The Newsroom | Don Keefer | Series regular, 25 episodes |
| 2013-2014 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Nate Davis | 2 episodes (Season 15, Episode 9: "Rapist's Graffiti", Episode 16: "Criminal Stories") |
| 2015 | The Slap | Gary | 8 episodes |
| 2015-2019 | Life in Pieces | Matt Short | Series regular, 79 episodes |
| 2020 | Tommy | Mayor Buddy Gray | Series regular, 12 episodes |
| 2023 | The Crowded Room | Matty Dunne | 6 episodes |
| 2024 | American Sports Story | Brian Murphy | 4 episodes |
2.4. Audio work
Thomas Sadoski has lent his voice to several audio projects, primarily as an audiobook narrator and participant in radio plays.
In January 2011, he narrated Stephen King's audiobook recording of Mile 81. His performance received critical acclaim; AudioFile magazine noted that "Sadoski's matter-of-fact narration of the monster's deeds makes the tale that much more unnerving to hear." Publishers Weekly echoed this sentiment, stating that "Thomas Sadoski provides smooth, matter-of-fact narration that acts as a counterpoint to the chilling and unnerving story line."
He also participated in a radio play recording of Neil LaBute's reasons to be pretty for L.A. Theatre Works.
His audio work includes:
| Year | Project | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Mile 81 | Stephen King | Audiobook |
| 2013 | reasons to be pretty | Neil LaBute | Radio play, recorded for LA TheatreWorks |
| 2015 | The Children's Crusade | Ann Packer | Audiobook |
| 2016 | Zero K | Don DeLillo | Audiobook |
| 2022 | The Candy House | Jennifer Egan | Audiobook |
3. Personal life
Thomas Sadoski was married to casting director Kimberly Hope from 2007 until their divorce in 2015.
In early 2016, Sadoski began a relationship with actress Amanda Seyfried, his co-star from the film The Last Word. They announced their engagement on September 12, 2016, and married in a private ceremony on March 12, 2017. Their daughter was born on March 24, 2017. In September 2020, Seyfried gave birth to their second child, a son.
4. Humanitarian and advocacy work
Thomas Sadoski is deeply committed to humanitarian efforts and social advocacy. He serves as a board member of INARA, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical treatment to children displaced by conflict. He is also an ambassador for War Child USA and War Child Canada, organizations focused on supporting and empowering communities affected by war.
Sadoski is a member of the advisory board for Fortify Rights, a non-profit human rights organization, and holds board member emeritus status with Refugees International, which advocates for the rights and protection of displaced people. In recognition of his extensive humanitarian work, Sadoski was presented with an honorary doctorate by Niagara University in 2024.
5. Awards and nominations
Thomas Sadoski has received numerous awards and nominations for his performances in theatre, film, and television.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Becky Shaw | Nominated |
| 2009 | Tony Awards | Best Actor in a Play | Reasons to Be Pretty | Nominated |
| 2009 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Other Desert Cities | Won |
| 2011 | Obie Awards | Distinguished Performance by an Actor | Won | |
| 2018 | Satisfied Eye International Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Holy Moses | Won |