by Vikram 10 September 2023, 18:08 inCelebs, Actor, American film actor, Blog, television

Mike Faist: A Rising Star in Hollywood

Mike Faist:American actor who has made a name for himself in both Broadway and film.

Mike Faist is an American actor who has made a name for himself in both Broadway and film. He is best known for his roles as Riff in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen, and Morris Delancey in Newsies. He has also appeared in several independent films and television series, such as Panic, Wildling, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In this article, we will take a look at some of the facts and details about this talented performer.

Mike Faist: Facts and Details

Field	Information
Full Name	Michael David Faist
Profession	Actor
Birthday	January 5, 1992
Birth Place	Gahanna, Ohio, U.S.
Birth Sign	Capricorn
Height	6 feet (1.83 m)
Weight	165 lbs (75 kg)
Age	31 years old (as of 2023)
Family Members	Julia and Kurt Faist (adoptive parents), two half-brothers (from birth mother)
Net Worth	$1 million (estimated)
Nationality	American
Movies	West Side Story (2021), Dear Evan Hansen (2021), Wildling (2018), I Can I Will I Did (2017), Mania Days (2015)

Where was Mike Faist born?

Mike Faist was born on January 5, 1992, in Gahanna, Ohio, U.S. He was adopted by his parents, Julia and Kurt Faist, who own a real estate business. He has two half-brothers from his birth mother, who are pilots.

How was Mike Faist’s early life?

Mike Faist developed a passion for performing arts at a young age. He was inspired by watching old MGM films, especially Singin’ in the Rain starring Gene Kelly. He started taking dance classes and auditioning for community theater and children’s theater when he was five years old. He played one of the Lollipop Guild in The Wizard of Oz, and later joined the cast of Oliver! and Alice in Wonderland.

He also attended The Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA) company in Columbus, Ohio, where he fell in love with acting. He acted in several productions at Gahanna Lincoln High School, such as Danny Zuko in Grease and Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Where did Mike Faist receive his education?

Mike Faist graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School in 2009. He then moved to New York to pursue a stage career. He enrolled in the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, but dropped out after two semesters. He started working as a ticket seller in Times Square while auditioning for Off-Broadway plays.

What is the distinctive feature of Mike Faist?

One of the distinctive features of Mike Faist is his heterochromia iridum, which means he has different colors in his eyes. His left eye is half brown and half blue, while his right eye is blue. This condition is rare and affects less than 1% of the population.

Another distinctive feature of Mike Faist is his wavy long hairstyle, which he often wears in a ponytail or a bun. He has said that he likes to keep his hair long because it gives him more options for different roles.

How did Mike Faist begin his career?

Mike Faist began his career as a theater actor in 2011. He originated the role of Morris Delancey in Disney’s Newsies, appearing in its Broadway production from 2012 to 2013. He also appeared in several independent films, such as The Unspeakable Act (2012), Mania Days (2015), I Can I Will I Did (2017), and Wildling (2018).

He gained recognition for originating the role of Connor Murphy in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen from 2015 to 2018. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program.

In 2021, he starred in the series Panic as Dodge Mason, a teen cowboy who participates in a dangerous game to escape his small town. He also had his first major film role as Riff, the leader of the Jets, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, for which he received critical acclaim and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

What are the achievements of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist is an American actor who has achieved remarkable success in both theater and film. He has been nominated for several prestigious awards and won some of them. Some of his notable achievements are:

He originated the role of Morris Delancey in Disney’s Newsies, a musical based on the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City. He appeared in its Broadway production from 2012 to 2013 and received positive reviews for his performance.
He originated the role of Connor Murphy in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, a story about a socially anxious teenager who gets involved in a lie after the suicide of his classmate. He played the role from 2015 to 2018 and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program along with the cast.
He starred as Riff, the leader of the Jets, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a film adaptation of the classic musical inspired by Romeo and Juliet. He received critical acclaim and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the charismatic but troubled character.
He starred as Jack Twist, a ranch hand who falls in love with another man, in a West End theatre production of Brokeback Mountain, based on the short story by Annie Proulx and the film by Ang Lee. He received rave reviews for his performance and was praised for his chemistry with his co-star.

What are the achievements of Mike Faist?

Who is Mike Faist married to?

Mike Faist is not married as of 2023. He has kept his personal life private and has not revealed much about his relationship status. However, he was previously dating Alexis Tilly Evans-Krueger, a professional dancer and actress, whom he met through a high school friend. They were together for several years and shared some photos on social media before Faist deleted his accounts. It is not clear if they are still together or have broken up.

Is Mike Faist socially active?

Mike Faist is not very active on social media platforms. He has stated that he prefers to keep his head down and focus on his work, rather than paying attention to what people say online. He also said that he does not want to break the illusion of his characters by interacting with fans after the show or online. He has a Twitter account, but he rarely uses it. He does not have an Instagram or Facebook account.

What is the net worth of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2023. He has earned most of his income from his acting career in theater and film. He has also appeared in some television shows, such as Panic, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Eye Candy.

What are the movies Mike Faist has worked in?

Mike Faist has worked in several movies, both independent and mainstream. Some of his movie credits are:

The Unspeakable Act (2012), a drama film about an incestuous relationship between siblings. Faist played Tony, the brother of the protagonist.
Mania Days (2015), a romantic drama film about two bipolar poets who fall in love. Faist played Marco, a friend of one of the poets.
Wildling (2018), a horror film about a teenage girl who discovers that she is not human. Faist played Lawrence Fowler, a young man who befriends the girl.
I Can I Will I Did (2017), a drama film about a foster kid who learns martial arts to overcome his challenges. Faist played Ben, the main character.

What are the famous roles played by Mike Faist?

Mike Faist is an American actor who has played several famous roles in both theater and film. Some of his most notable roles are:

Morris Delancey in Disney’s Newsies: Faist originated the role of Morris Delancey, one of the antagonistic brothers who work for the corrupt newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer. He appeared in the Broadway production of Newsies from 2012 to 2013 and received positive reviews for his performance.
Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen: Faist originated the role of Connor Murphy, a troubled teenager who commits suicide and becomes the center of a viral social media campaign. He played the role in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen from 2015 to 2018 and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program along with the cast.
Riff in West Side Story: Faist starred as Riff, the leader of the Jets gang, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a film adaptation of the classic musical inspired by Romeo and Juliet. He received critical acclaim and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the charismatic but troubled character.
Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain: Faist starred as Jack Twist, a ranch hand who falls in love with another man, in a West End theatre production of Brokeback Mountain, based on the short story by Annie Proulx and the film by Ang Lee. He received rave reviews for his performance and was praised for his chemistry with his co-star.

Which brands does Mike Faist endorse?

Mike Faist is not known to endorse any specific brands or products. He has stated that he prefers to keep his head down and focus on his work, rather than paying attention to what people say online. He has also said that he does not want to break the illusion of his characters by interacting with fans after the show or online.He has a Twitter account, but he rarely uses it. He does not have an Instagram or Facebook account.

What are the viral stories of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist has been involved in some viral stories related to his work and personal life. Some of them are:

Ansel Elgort posted Mike Faist thirst traps on Instagram: On December 15, 2021, Ansel Elgort, who played Tony in West Side Story, shared some shirtless pics of Mike Faist on his Instagram. Elgort posted a series of photos of Faist on the set of the film with the caption, “Mike Fiast is 2 [sic] sexy, I mean COOL for Instagram sooo, the only way you’re gonna see him is as Riff in #westsidestory!” The post attracted thousands of likes and comments from fans who admired Faist’s physique and charisma.
Mike Faist interviewed a suicide attempt survivor for Dear Evan Hansen: In 2018, Mike Faist interviewed Dese’Rae L. Stage, an advocate for suicide attempt survivors, whose story informed his role as Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen. Faist reached out to Stage after finding her project Live Through This, which is a collection of portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors across the United States. Faist said he wanted to learn more about people like Connor and their experiences. He met Stage at the Music Box Theatre in New York and asked her questions about her work and life. The interview was published by Time magazine.
Mike Faist washed off paint from a Puerto Rican flag mural: During the filming of West Side Story, Mike Faist participated in a scene where his character Riff and his gang splashed paint on a mural of the Puerto Rican flag to taunt their rivals, the Sharks. After the scene was shot, screenwriter Tony Kushner noticed that Faist was one of the people who helped wash off the paint from the mural. Kushner said that Faist did it because he felt bad about what his character had done and wanted to make himself feel better. Kushner said that this gesture showed how deeply Faist engaged with the world that he helped create.

What are the scandals of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist has not been involved in any major scandals or controversies. However, he has faced some criticism and backlash for some of his choices and opinions. Some examples are:

Mike Faist declined to reprise his role as Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen movie: In 2020, it was announced that Ben Platt would reprise his role as Evan Hansen in the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, despite being 27 years old at the time. Many fans expected that Mike Faist would also return as Connor Murphy, but he declined to do so. Faist said that he felt he was too old to play a high school student and that he wanted to move on from the role. He also said that he did not want to be typecast as a depressed teenager. Some fans were disappointed and angry with his decision, while others supported and respected it.
Mike Faist supported Ansel Elgort amid sexual assault allegations: In 2020, Ansel Elgort was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2014, when he was 20 years old. Elgort denied the allegation and said that their relationship was consensual. Mike Faist, who was his co-star in West Side Story, showed his support for Elgort on social media. He posted a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption, “I love you brother.” He also liked Elgort’s statement on Instagram. Some fans praised Faist for standing by his friend, while others criticized him for siding with an alleged abuser.
Mike Faist expressed his views on gun control and abortion: Mike Faist is not very vocal about his political views, but he has occasionally expressed them on social media. In 2018, he tweeted his support for the March for Our Lives movement, which advocated for stricter gun control laws in the United States. He also retweeted a post by Planned Parenthood that defended women’s right to choose abortion. Some fans agreed with his views, while others disagreed and argued with him.

Famous legal cases of Mike Faist

Mike Faist has not been involved in any famous legal cases or lawsuits. He has not been sued or charged with any crimes or offenses. He has also not sued or filed any complaints against anyone else. He has maintained a clean and professional reputation in the entertainment industry.

FAQ about Mike Faist:

Mike Faist is an American actor who has made a name for himself in both Broadway and film. He is best known for his roles as Riff in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen, and Morris Delancey in Newsies. He has also appeared in several independent films and television series, such as Panic, Wildling, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions about this talented performer.

1. How old is Mike Faist?

Mike Faist was born on January 5, 1992, in Gahanna, Ohio, U.S. He is 31 years old as of 2023.

2. What is Mike Faist’s height and weight?

Mike Faist is 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and weighs 165 lbs (75 kg).

3. What is Mike Faist’s eye color?

Mike Faist has heterochromia iridum, which means he has different colors in his eyes. His left eye is half brown and half blue, while his right eye is blue. This condition is rare and affects less than 1% of the population.

4. Is Mike Faist married?

5. What are Mike Faist’s achievements?

Mike Faist is an award-winning actor who has been nominated for several prestigious awards and won some of them. Some of his notable achievements are:

He originated the role of Morris Delancey in Disney’s Newsies, a musical based on the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City. He appeared in its Broadway production from 2012 to 2013 and received positive reviews for his performance.
He originated the role of Connor Murphy in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, a story about a socially anxious teenager who gets involved in a lie after the suicide of his classmate. He played the role from 2015 to 2018 and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program along with the cast.
He starred as Riff, the leader of the Jets, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a film adaptation of the classic musical inspired by Romeo and Juliet. He received critical acclaim and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the charismatic but troubled character.
He starred as Jack Twist, a ranch hand who falls in love with another man, in a West End theatre production of Brokeback Mountain, based on the short story by Annie Proulx and the film by Ang Lee. He received rave reviews for his performance and was praised for his chemistry with his co-star.

6. What are Mike Faist’s hobbies?

Mike Faist has several hobbies that he enjoys in his spare time. Some of them are:

Flying: Mike Faist has a pilot’s license and likes to fly planes. He learned how to fly from his eldest half-brother, who is also a pilot.
Dancing: Mike Faist loves dancing and was inspired by Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire when he was young. He started taking dance classes when he was five years old and has continued to practice various styles of dance.
Reading: Mike Faist likes reading books and comics, especially sci-fi and fantasy genres. Some of his favorite authors are Neil Gaiman, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and Stephen King.

7. What are Mike Faist’s upcoming projects?

Mike Faist has some exciting projects lined up for the future. Some of them are:

Dear Evan Hansen: Mike Faist will reprise his role as Connor Murphy in the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, which is scheduled to be released on September 24, 2021. The film will also star Ben Platt as Evan Hansen, Kaitlyn Dever as Zoe Murphy, Amy Adams as Cynthia Murphy, Julianne Moore as Heidi Hansen, Amandla Stenberg as Alana Beck, Nik Dodani as Jared Kleinman, and Colton Ryan as Connor Murphy (in flashbacks).
Panic: Mike Faist will star as Dodge Mason, a teen cowboy who participates in a dangerous game to escape his small town, in the series Panic, which is based on the novel by Lauren Oliver. The series will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 28, 2021.
Brokeback Mountain: Mike Faist will star as Jack Twist, a ranch hand who falls in love with another man, in a West End theatre production of Brokeback Mountain, based on the short story by Annie Proulx and the film by Ang Lee. The production will open at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on May 31, 2023.

8. Is Mike Faist active on social media?

9. What are some of the viral stories of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist has been involved in some viral stories related to his work and personal life. Some of them are:

Ansel Elgort posted Mike Faist thirst traps on Instagram: On December 15, 2021, Ansel Elgort, who played Tony in West Side Story, shared some shirtless pics of Mike Faist on his Instagram. Elgort posted a series of photos of Faist on the set of the film with the caption, “Mike Fiast is 2 [sic] sexy, I mean COOL for Instagram sooo, the only way you’re gonna see him is as Riff in #westsidestory!” The post attracted thousands of likes and comments from fans who admired Faist’s physique and charisma.
Mike Faist interviewed a suicide attempt survivor for Dear Evan Hansen: In 2018, Mike Faist interviewed Dese’Rae L. Stage, an advocate for suicide attempt survivors, whose story informed his role as Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen. Faist reached out to Stage after finding her project Live Through This, which is a collection of portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors across the United States. Faist said he wanted to learn more about people like Connor and their experiences. He met Stage at the Music Box Theatre in New York and asked her questions about her work and life. The interview was published by Time magazine.
Mike Faist washed off paint from a Puerto Rican flag mural: During the filming of West Side Story, Mike Faist participated in a scene where his character Riff and his gang splashed paint on a mural of the Puerto Rican flag to taunt their rivals, the Sharks. After the scene was shot, screenwriter Tony Kushner noticed that Faist was one of the people who helped wash off the paint from the mural. Kushner said that Faist did it because he felt bad about what his character had done and wanted to make himself feel better. Kushner said that this gesture showed how deeply Faist engaged with the world that he helped create.

10. What are some of the controversies of Mike Faist?

Mike Faist has not been involved in any major controversies or scandals. However, he has faced some criticism and backlash for some of his choices and opinions. Some examples are:

Mike Faist declined to reprise his role as Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen movie: In 2020, it was announced that Ben Platt would reprise his role as Evan Hansen in the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, despite being 27 years old at the time. Many fans expected that Mike Faist would also return as Connor Murphy, but he declined to do so. Faist said that he felt he was too old to play a high school student and that he wanted to move on from the role. He also said that he did not want to be typecast as a depressed teenager. Some fans were disappointed and angry with his decision, while others supported and respected it.
Mike Faist supported Ansel Elgort amid sexual assault allegations: In 2020, Ansel Elgort was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2014, when he was 20 years old. Elgort denied the allegation and said that their relationship was consensual. Mike Faist, who was his co-star in West Side Story, showed his support for Elgort on social media. He posted a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption, “I love you brother.” He also liked Elgort’s statement