Erik Jensen Biography
Erik Jensen (born Erik Steven Jensen) is an American Actor, Screenwriter, Playwright, and Director, well-known for appearing in multiple films and TV shows. He often shows up on “For Life” (an ABC Network Television series) where he plays the role of ADA Dez O’Reilly. He is also famous as Dr. Stephen Edwards in “The Walking Dead,” and as Frank Cody, a talk show host in “Mr. Robot.”
Jensen is also well-known for appearing alongside Aasif Mandvi in the award-winning play “Disgraced” at Lincoln Center, as well as starring as Thurman Munson, from the NY Yankees, in a show called “The Bronx Is Burning” on ESPN. Jensen has also taken on the role of the famous rock critic Lester Bangs in a solo play called “How to Be a Rock Critic.” He co-wrote this play with his wife, Jessica Blank. This play earned praise from notable publications like Billboard, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and more.
In the year 2017, Jensen worked together with Jessica Blank to co-direct a movie called “Almost Home.” This movie was based on a book of the same name written by Jessica Blank (his wife). In the years 2023 and 2022, Jensen was on Broadway where he played the character Bruno Bischofberger in a play called “The Collaboration”. When it comes to his education, Jensen is a proud alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting. He is also a 1988 graduate of Apple Valley High School in Minnesota.
Erik Jensen Age
Jensen was born on July 20, 1970, in Detroit Lakes, Becker County, Minnesota, United States. He is therefore 53 years old as of 2023. He celebrates his birthday on the 20th of July every year.
Erik Jensen Height
Jensen stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 10 inches.
Erik Jensen Family
Jensen grew up in Detroit Lakes, Becker County, Minnesota. He has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight hence he has not disclosed any information about his parents. It is also not known if Jensen has any siblings.
Erik Jensen Wife / Daughter
Jensen is a married man and his spouse is Jessica Blank, an American writer, actress, director, public speaker, and consultant. They tied the knot on June 16, 2001. The couple takes great pride in being dad and mom to their one daughter, Sadie, who is 13 years old as of 2023 having been born in the year 2010. The family resides happily in Brooklyn, New York.
Erik Jensen Net Worth
Jensen has an estimated net worth of between $500K and $2 Million which he has earned through his successful career as an Actor, Screenwriter, Playwright, and Director.
Erik Jensen Writing Career
Jensen and his wife, Jessica Blank, are known for their creative approach to making documentary theater. They were inspired by the works of Studs Terkel, Emily Mann, and Anna Deavere Smith. The duo has written several documentaries: “Living Justice”, “Coal Country”, “The Exonerated”, “The Reconcilers”, “The Line”, “How to Be A Rock Critic”, and “Aftermath”.
Erik Jensen (“The Reconcilers” and “Living Justice”)
Jensen and his wife collaborated and wrote a science fiction graphic novel, “The Reconcilers,” which came out in the year 2010, published by Viking Warrior Press. They also co-authored a book called “Living Justice” in the year 2005. It’s a memoir about the creation of “The Exonerated” and it received a highly positive review from Kirkus.
Erik Jensen (“The Line” and “Coal Country”)
In the year 2020, Jensen and his wife wrote a play called “The Line.” This play narrates the story of healthcare workers in New York City who were battling against coronavirus. It was like a 60-minute documentary and was directed by his wife. The Public Theater was the presenter and producer of the documentary, and it was on YouTube, live from July 8 to September 1, 2020.
They also created a documentary play called “Coal Country,” which is about the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster of the year 2010. The play featured original music by Steve Earle (a Grammy Award-winning musician). Unfortunately, “Coal Country” had to stop when theaters closed on March 11, 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic. This play received the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and became a nominee for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director (his wife) and Outstanding Music in a Play.
Erik Jensen (“How to Be A Rock Critic” and “Almost Home”)
Jensen and Jessica have also written “How To Be A Rock Critic,” which got support from Center Theatre Group and was inspired by Lester Bangs’ writings. In this play, Jensen acted while Blank directed. In the year 2016, the duo worked together to write and direct a movie called “Almost Home.” It was based on a book by Jessica Blank with the same title, published in October 2007.
Erik Jensen (“Aftermath” and “The Exonerated”)
Jensen and his wife teamed up to write a documentary play called “Aftermath.” This play was based on interviews they did with Iraqi civilian refugees in Jordan in the year 2008. Jessica was the director of “Aftermath” Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop. It received 2 Drama League award nominations and went on an international tour for 2 years.
The duo collaborated on writing “The Exonerated,” a play based on interviews with over 40 cleared death row inmates. In the 2002 spring, they co-directed this play at The Actors’ Gang Theater. This production received 3 NAACP Award nominations and 5 Ovation Award nominations. It also won the Ovation Award for Best World Premiere Play and traveled to universities across the country.
The New York production of “The Exonerated” toured nationally, had a run of over 600 performances off-Broadway and received several awards, including the Drama Desk, Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle awards. It also received recognition from organizations like the National Council of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and Amnesty International.
Erik Jensen Cancer / Illness
In October 2023, it was announced on GoFundMe that Jensen was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, which spread to his liver. She stated that the doctors said that there was a chance to reduce the tumors’ size so they could proceed with 2 major surgeries to remove them all. Jessica Blank, Jensen’s wife, set up a GoFundMe page to assist in covering the actor’s medical costs and to provide support for their family. She aims to raise $300,000 to cover treatment expenses and offer support to their family during this time.
Erik Jensen Brain Illness
Jensen once shared in an interview that he had experienced a brain aneurysm at one point. He mentioned that this condition was very serious, with a high mortality rate, but remarkably, he managed to return to Broadway and perform just 4 weeks after the aneurysm.
Erik Jensen Movies and TV Shows
Movies
Jensen has appeared in multiple films such as;
- What Breaks the Ice as Sherriff McClain
- After Everything
- Almost Home
- Police State
- Second Sight
- The Frontier
- Gun Hill
- The Loop
- Virtuality
- Stream
- Speed Grieving
- Quality Time
TV Shows
Jensen has appeared in multiple TV shows/series such as;
- Mindhunter
- Modern Love
- Quantico
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- High Maintenance
- Chicago P.D.
- The Blacklist
- The Americans
- The Walking Dead
- The Mentalist
- Love Monkey
- Rescue Me
Erik Jensen Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and is often seen posting on his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. He has over 11.1K followers on Instagram.