Nolan Gerard Funk (born July 28, 1986) is a SAG award nominated Canadian actor and singer, known for portraying Hunter Clarington in the musical comedy-drama television series Glee, Collin Jennings in the comedy-drama television series Awkward, FBI agent Van White in The Flight Attendant "Angel Eyes" in the drama series Counterpart and Conrad Birdie in the 2009 Broadway revival of the musical Bye Bye Birdie.
Life and career
Funk was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also a German citizen. He competed nationally in gymnastics until he was 13 and competed as a national diver.
In 2001, his first role came when he played a boy named Ryan in the Seven Days episode "The Brink". In 2002, he starred in the short film Moon in the Afternoon as Alexander and appeared in the Taken episode "High Hope" as Young Eric Crawford, produced by Spielberg.
In 2003, he appeared in Marvel live-action film X2 as a captured X-Kid. From 2004 to 2006, he guest-starred in Renegadepress.com playing Ben Lalonde. In 2005, he appeared as Zack Greenfield in the Smallville episode "Krypto". In 2006, he played Josh in Hollow Man 2", appeared in the biographical film A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story directed by Oscar Nominee Angnieszka Holland playing Michael Imagidson.
In 2007, he starred in My Name Is Sarah opposite Jennifer Beals and had a recurring role in The CW series Aliens in America as a student named Todd Palladino. In 2008, he appeared in Miranda Cosgrove's music video for "Stay My Baby" as her love interest, appeared in Deadgirl as Dwyer which opened at TIFF.
He received his first break when he was cast opposite Tammin Sursok in the starring role of the Columbia Records/Nickelodeon movie Spectacular! On January 12, 2009, he had his first live concert performance at a Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.[5]
He appeared in Lie To Me’s episode Pilot playing a boy named Dan, he appeared in Castle’s episode Hedge Fund Homeboys playing a student named Brandon and appeared as Kevin in the 18 short films. In 2010, he appeared in Jack's Family Adventure as Derek Vickery, in Bereavement as William, had a recurring role in Warehouse 13 as Todd, Triple Dog as Todd Spalding and in Detroit 1-8-7 as Trevor Elkin.
Funk played the title role of Conrad Birdie in the revival of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, with a limited run at Henry Miller's Theatre from September 10, 2009 (previews) through January 24, 2010. Even though the show was mostly panned, he was a critical standout – cited as "Excellent" by John Lahr of The New Yorker, and receiving praise from New York Times critic Ben Brantley.[6]
That same year, Funk appeared in the third installment of the Chronicles of Riddick film series, Riddick, playing a devoutly religious mercenary named Luna. The film was released on September 6, 2013, and opened at number one. In December 2013, Funk was announced as the face of Versace's spring/summer 2014 menswear campaign, photographed by famed photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.[10]
Funk was a series regular on the first season of the critically acclaimed Starz series Counterpart starring J. K. Simmons. Funk spoke German in the show and played Angel Eyes, a cult-raised German assassin.
In 2021, Funk was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for best comedic ensemble in HBO Max's The Flight Attendant.[12]
In 2022, Funk was a series regular in Netlfix's "Partner Track" directed by Bridgerton's Julie Anne Robinson. While the show was not a critical success, Funk was recognized by Variety as one of the best parts of the show.[13]
In 2023, Funk starred in the ABC pilot of "LA Law" directed by Anthony Hemingway, reuniting with his showrunner from "Arrow" Marc Guggenheim. The status of the pilot ream ins in question.[14]
Funk appears to have the titular role in AI thriller "Raptus' with a rumored 2025 release but no official date has been set.[15]
Awards
In 2021, Funk was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for best ensemble in a comedy series.
In 2007, Funk was nominated for a Leo Award in the "Best Performance or Host in a Youth or Children's Program or Series" category for his work on Renegadepress.com.[16]