Michael Stahl-David

Michael Stahl-David (born October 28, 1982) is an American actor, known for his role as Sean Donnelly on the NBC drama series The Black Donnellys and his lead role as Robert "Rob" Hawkins in the J. J. Abrams-produced film Cloverfield.

Early life Stahl-David was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of physicians. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago. He is the older brother to Eric Stahl-David and R. Andrew Stahl-David, both of whom graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School. Prior to his acting career, Stahl-David was a graffiti artist in Chicago.

Career Stahl-David began his acting career in 2001, when he played a minor role of Rossetti in New Port South. In 2003, he played a minor role as Craig in Uncle Nino. During this time he was active in the Chicago theater scene, appearing in plays at the Steppenwolf Theatre (One Arm, Theater District), Victory Gardens Theater (Cider House Rules, Lost in Yonkers), and the Goodman Theatre (The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?) Shortly after arriving in New York in 2005, he appeared as Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank at the Paper Mill Playhouse. In the winter of 2007 he enjoyed critical success in his role in The Overwhelming Off-Broadway. Stahl-David began his television acting career in 2007, when he made a guest appearance as Riordan Grady in the series Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Players". Later in 2007, he portrayed Sean Donnelly, one of the four Irish brothers, in the short-lived series The Black Donnellys. The following year he appeared in the J.J. Abrams-produced Cloverfield playing the role of Rob. In September 2008, Stahl-David starred in and directed the web series Michael Stahl-David: Behind the Star on Crackle.

In 2010, Stahl-David starred in the ABC mockumentary series My Generation, which was cancelled after two episodes due to low ratings. Stahl-David starred as Kevin in the Off-Broadway play Picked at New York City's Vineyard Theatre from April 6 to May 15, 2011. Stahl-David also starred in the 2014 paranormal romance film In Your Eyes as one of the lead roles.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 New Port South Rossetti 2003 Uncle Nino Craig 2008 Cloverfield Robert "Rob" Hawkins 2008 Justin 2010 No Deal Mark Short film; also producer and writer 2012 Girls Against Boys Simon 2013 Love & Air Sex Stan 2013 Steve 2013 Mutual Friends Paul 2014 Take Care Kyle 2014 In Your Eyes Dylan Kershaw 2015 Lay in Wait Robert Short film 2016 LBJ Robert F. Kennedy 2016 Brad 2017 Matt 2017 Please Stand By Jack 2025 Looking Through Water Young William McKay 2025 Protector Detective John BLake 2026 The Last Day Ben Post-production

Television

Web Year Title Role Notes 2008 T Takes The guest in Room 102 Episode: "Room 102"

Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2003 The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Billy Goodman TheatreNovember 10 – December 2, 2003 2006 The Diary of Anne Frank Peter van Daan Paper Mill PlayhouseJanuary 18 – February 26, 2006 2007 Strangers Knocking Michael Acorn TheaterMay 14 – June 3, 2007 2007 Geoffrey Exley Laura Pels TheatreOctober 23 – December 23, 2007 2011 Picked Kevin Vineyard TheatreApril 6 – May 15, 2011 2013–2014 Gabe Manhattan Theatre ClubNovember 21, 2013 – February 9, 2014 2015 Buzzer Don The Public TheaterMarch 21 – April 28, 2015 2016 Engagements Mark Second Stage TheaterJuly 18 – August 14, 2016