Alessandro Nivola on How He Went From Character Actor to Leading Man

Alessandro Nivolas career trajectory is proof that artists, especially actors, must continue to adjust ambitions and dream big. On first the stage and then the screen, Alessandro carved out a character actor niche, morphing into roles very unlike himself, as he tells Backstage. Its part of staying alive, always having new cravings and goals and One has to battle those feelings on some level and try and feel grateful for what you have. A Boston native who studied acting at regional theaters and as an undergrad at Yale University, Alessandro fulfilled his dreams of a stage career as a young adult, awardnominated for his Broadway debut opposite Helen Mirren in A Month in the Country. After watching his theater peers cross over to Hollywood, he did the same with Face, Off, and appeared in Laurel Canyon, Junebug, Selma, A Most Violent Year, The Wizard of Lies, Disobedience, and in many more character roles. Tonynominated for The Elephant Man and a SAG Award winner for