Mike Faist

Michael David Faist was born on January 5, 1992, in Gahanna, Ohio.
At a young age, Faist discovered his passion for dance and acting; he moved to New York at 17 before graduating from high school to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Faist began his career on the theatre stage, taking his first professional steps in Off-Broadway productions before making his Broadway debut in Disney's musical "Newsies" in 2012.
However, the role that transformed Mike Faist into a star in the theatre world and brought him widespread recognition was Connor Murphy in the phenomenally successful 2016 musical "Dear Evan Hansen."
His portrayal of Connor Murphy—a complex, angry, and tragic character—earned him widespread critical acclaim.
This demanding role earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2017 and a Daytime Emmy Award.
This achievement positioned him as one of the most talented young stage artists of his generation.
Following his success in theatre, Faist transitioned to film, making his cinematic debut with Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" (2021).

In the film, Faist portrayed Riff, the leader of the Jets gang, earning worldwide acclaim for his charismatic and dangerous performance, which also earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the BAFTA Awards. This role opened the doors to his Hollywood career. Following "The Story of the West Coast," Faist continued to solidify his place in cinema. In 2023, he appeared in "The Bikeriders," directed by Jeff Nichols. In 2024, he shared the lead role in Luca Guadagnino's acclaimed film "Challengers" alongside Zendaya and Josh O'Connor. Through his portrayal of Art Donaldson, a successful tennis player, he once again demonstrated his talent as a leading actor and his mastery in bringing complex characters to life. In addition to acting, Faist is one of the founders of Ohio Artists Gathering, an atelier and production company dedicated to supporting artists from his hometown of Ohio.