Jonathan LaPaglia
Jonathan LaPaglia | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 31, 1969 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, television host |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Presenter of Australian Survivor, roles in Seven Days, The District, New York Undercover |
Jonathan LaPaglia (, ; born 31 August 1969) is an Australian actor and television host. He served as the presenter for Network 10's revival of Australian Survivor between 2016 and 2025.[1][2] LaPaglia is recognized for his performances as Frank B. Parker in Seven Days, Kevin Debreno in The District, and Detective Tommy McNamara in New York Undercover.
Early and personal life
LaPaglia was born in Adelaide, South Australia, as the youngest of three brothers to Maria Johannes, a secretary originally from the Netherlands, and Gedio "Eddie" LaPaglia, an Italian mechanic and car dealer. His older brother is actor Anthony LaPaglia. Jonathan currently lives in Santa Monica, California with his wife Ursula Brooks and their daughter.[3]
Career
After obtaining his MBBS degree from the University of Adelaide in 1991, LaPaglia practiced as an emergency physician for three years across Adelaide, Sydney, and London before switching to acting. In 1994, he relocated to New York City to attend the Circle in the Square Theatre School. His breakthrough came with a significant role on New York Undercover in 1996.[4]
He portrayed Cmdr. Frank B. Parker on Seven Days from 1998 to 2001, then played Detective Kevin Debreno on The District from 2001 until 2004. His guest appearances include shows such as The Sopranos, NCIS, Cold Case, and Castle. In 2011, he returned to Australian television by starring in the adaptation of Christos Tsiolkas' novel The Slap for the ABC, marking his first domestic production after years overseas.[5] He also took on the role of crime figure Anthony "Rooster" Perish in Channel Nine's Underbelly: Badness (2012) and featured in the 2014 movie The Reckoning alongside Luke Hemsworth.[6]
Since 2016, LaPaglia has been the host of Network 10's reboot of Australian Survivor, earning a spot in the "Australian Survivor Archive" Hall of Fame in 2020.[7] A keen sports fan and model, he was announced in October 2023 as one of three presenters for the Paramount Plus relaunch of Top Gear Australia.[8] In June 2025, it was confirmed that he would be succeeded as host of Australian Survivor, with his final season scheduled to air later that year.[9]
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | First assistant cameraperson | |
| 1998 | Origin of the Species | Stan | |
| 2000 | Under Hellgate Bridge | Vincent | |
| 2008 | Jack Rio | Devon Russel | |
| Template:Sortname | Vince | ||
| 2011 | Template:Sortname | Detective Neil McKay | Direct-to-video |
| 2013 | Pioneer | Ronald | |
| 2014 | Template:Sortname | Detective Robbie Green | Also associate producer |
| 2016 | Template:Sortname | Dr Bogan | |
| 2019 | Ford v Ferrari | Eddie |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1997 | New York Undercover | Tommy McNamara | Lead character (season 3) |
| 1998 | Law & Order | Frank Russo | Appearance in episode: "Grief" |
| 1998–2001 | Seven Days | Cmdr. Frank Parker | Principal role |
| 1998 | Inferno | Eddie | TV movie |
| 2001–2004 | Template:Sortname | Det. Kevin Debreno | Lead role (seasons 2–4) Also directed episode: "The Black Widow Maker" |
| 2002 | Template:Sortname | Det. Kevin Debreno | Featured in episode: "Doublecrossover" |
| Cooper | TV film | ||
| Template:Sortname | Billy Hytner | Television movie | |
| 2006 | Windfall | Dave Park | Appeared in 8 episodes |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Jack McCaskin | Episode: "Tru Love" | |
| 2007 | Gryphon | Prince Seth of Delphi | TV film |
| Template:Sortname | Michael the Cleaver | Episode: "Stage 5" | |
| Himself | Episode: "Kennedy and Heidi" | ||
| 2008 | NCIS | Special Agent Brent Langer | Two episodes |
| Moonlight | Jackson Monaghan | Episode: "Sonata" | |
| Bones | Anton Deluca | Episode: "The Skull in the Sculpture" | |
| 2008–2010 | Cold Case | ADA Curtis Bell | Recurring role across 10 episodes |
| 2009 | Castle | John Knox | Episode: "Love Me Dead" |
| 2010 | Burn Notice | Coleman | Episode: "Good Intentions" |