David Dastmalchian

Biography

David Dastmalchian (born July 21, 1975, in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is an American-Iranian actor, writer, and producer known for his versatile and often chilling performances in film and television. Raised in Overland Park, Kansas, he developed an early interest in theatre and comic books. 

He graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 1999, having also played football in high school. Before his acting breakthrough, he held various jobs, including working as a professional fisherman and a circus performer.

🌟 Career Highlights

Dastmalchian's feature film debut came in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, The Dark Knight, where he portrayed the Joker's henchman, Thomas Schiff. This role served as his "ticket" into the film and television world.

He has since established himself as a prominent character actor with a presence in multiple major franchises, often portraying nervous oddballs and suspenseful characters:

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): He played Kurt, one of Scott Lang/Ant-Man's associates, in Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).

DC Comics: Beyond The Dark Knight, he was featured as the villain Abra Kadabra in The CW's series The Flash (2017–2021) and starred as Abner Krill/Polka-Dot Man in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021).

Collaborations with Noted Directors: He has appeared in multiple films by world-class directors, including Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners (2013) and Dune: Part One (2021), as well as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023).

Writing and Producing: Dastmalchian is also an acclaimed writer, producer, and comic book author. His semi-autobiographical screenplay, Animals (2014), which he also starred in, earned him a Special Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival. His work in the horror genre, such as the 2024 thriller Late Night with the Devil, has also received significant praise.