Actors in this day and age can be remembered for a variety of things. It is not often that we see actors that seem like they can do it all, complete forces of nature in entertainment. However, we definitely see that in Jonathan Groff. Groff is one of the most multifaceted actors in the game today. His acting abilities, stage presence, and golden throat should not be overlooked, and in terms of talent, he is not even close to lacking. Groff has been professionally working as an actor since 2002 and whether it be in movies and TV or theater, Groff has many notable projects under his belt.
Groff’s acting resume is full of a variety of projects that showcase his ability to harness drama and emotion and even the task of being comedic. What’s more, he has also managed to snag projects that showcase his incredible voice to pair with acting. Of course, we all love Mindhunter and The Normal Heart, but there is definitely something magical about his musical roles such as voicing Kristoff in the Frozen franchise, his occasional appearance in Fox’s TV musical show Glee, and in pop culture masterpiece, Lin Manuel Miranda’s stage musical Hamilton. It’s time to give Groff the recognition he deserves. We have ranked 10 of Groff’s best performances in his career so far.
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10 American Sniper
Village Roadshow Pictures
American Sniper is a 2014 war drama that stars Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, and Luke Grimes. This film, based on a memoir by Chris Kyle, was directed by Clint Eastwood and highlights the notoriety of a Navy SEAL sniper who is known for his incredible shot and is credited with saving many lives. In this movie, Groff plays a Young Vet-Mads. Although his role is small, Groff is able to find his footing in this critically acclaimed movie and is a great project to have under his belt.
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Lost Ollie
Netflix
Groff is a versatile talent. In fact, his voice is one of his greatest assets and he has not skimped out in his role in Lost Ollie. This is an animated series from Netflix that, along with Groff, stars Jane the Virgin actress Gina Rodriguez, Kesler Talbot, Jake Johnson, Mary J. Blige, and Tim Blake Nelson. Groff plays Ollie, a toy that now has to go on an adventure to make his way back to Billy (Talbot), a little boy that lost his best friend. This incredibly heartwarming series has some incredible animation and beautiful performances by the entire cast.
8 The Matrix Resurrections
Warner Bros. Pictures
With a movie that has a star-studded cast and is part of a historic franchise as The Matrix, it is increasingly important to point out Groff’s performance as Agent Smith in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections. As the incredible fourth movie in the iconic franchise, this film fittingly stars the one and only Keanu Reeves. Also included in the cast is Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and, of course, Groff. This movie is definitely a staple in Groff’s career and really uncovers his range as an actor, who can pretty much take on a role in any genre of film you give him.
7 The Normal Heart
Blumhouse Productions
Groff plays Craig, who is the lover of Bruce, played by Taylor Kitsch, in the drama film The Normal Heart. This film was directed by Ryan Murphy and is an adaptation of the play from 1985. The Normal Heart is a story that touches on the realities of HIV and AIDS awareness during the 80s. Groff is full of heart and soul in his brilliant and heartbreaking performance in this film that it has to make it on this list. Also in this cast is Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, and many more. If you have yet to check out this movie, it is most definitely a must-watch.
6 C.O.G.
Screen Media Films
In 2013, Groff starred as Samuel in the drama comedy C.O.G. When Samuel fleas to Oregon and becomes an apple picker. The video explores a man trying to deny his queerness, as well as explores religion as a factor of life that many LGBTQ+ individuals have to contend with. Groff’s performance in this film is not something to miss and should be a standout in his career.
5 Looking
HBO
The HBO comedy show Looking is amazing. Groff plays one the leading characters, Patrick Murray. The show follows a group of three gay friends who are navigating living in the big city and the opportunistic landscape that exists for gay men in this day and age. This show is a beautiful portrayal of life for the LGBTQ+ community in the modern age, and if you are a fan of Groff’s work, you cannot skip over this one.
4 Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin Manuel Miranda’s historical musical Hamilton is one of the greatest musicals to come out in recent years. Whether it is the stunning soundtrack or the fantastic performances by the cast, Hamilton’s fanbase is massive and the art behind it justifies its popularity. Groff plays King George III in this musical, and it’s pretty much perfect for him as an actor. He is right in his element here, and you have to get on the Hamilton bandwagon if you haven’t already.
3 Frozen / Frozen II
Disney
Frozen is and continues to be one of the most, if not the most, successful franchise Disney has ever created. Groff voices the lovely Kristoff in Frozen and Frozen II, as well as the branching shorts and TV shows. Kristoff’s character is a warm presence in this franchise and, honestly, just being part of something as big as Frozen will really make your name known. Of course, Groff’s career extends long before Frozen became a worldwide sensation, but he takes this role by the horns and kills it. His musical talent and acting ability melds so well in this franchise, and, per Comicbook.com, the future of Frozen for Disney is not looking like it’s slowing down anytime soon.
2 Glee
Fox
In what is one of his most iconic performances to date, you probably recognize Groff’s face and voice from his character in the musical phenomenon Glee. Glee ran for an incredible six seasons and garnered a large and dedicated fanbase that fell in love with every single character, even if they were an antagonist. Groff played Jesse, a performer from a rivaling glee club that attracts the attention and affection of Rachel, played by Lea Michele. Groff appears only occasionally throughout the series, but he is 100% a villain we love to hate. Also, he has a voice of an angel, so his musical numbers are always welcome on our screens.
1 Mindhunter
Groff stars as Holden Ford in the psychological crime thriller show Mindhunter. The show, although it only ran for two seasons, is not a show to miss. It takes place in the 70s and follows two FBI agents, played by Groff and Holt McCallany, as they interview killers and try to solve cold cases. The ominous tone of this show, as well as the detail included for the time period, is something to admire in this show, and with Groff as one of the leads, his performance is one of the big reasons why this show is highly regarded by audiences and critics. Despite fierce support from the cast, crew, and fans, season three appears to be on hold, per What’s on Netflix, “indefinitely.”
