From Gossip Girl to Pam &amp; Tommy, take a look at Sebastian Stan&rsquo;s unforgettable career.

Sebastian Stan has had quite the versatile acting career, with the commercial success of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/pam-and-tommy-makeup-hair-prosthetics-lily-james-pamela-anderson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pam &amp; Tommy</a> and the critically acclaimed film Fresh. The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-female-cast-of-marvels-runaways-talk-empowerment-and-representation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marvel</a> alum has starred in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time and has cemented himself as a household name.&nbsp;
However, the Romanian-American actor had very humble beginnings in the United States. Immigrating from Vienna, Austria at the age of 12, Stan spent a considerable amount of time trying to drop his Romanian accent while attending school in Rockland, New York. His love for film began by watching classics like Back to the Future and Ace Ventura to perfect his American accent.&nbsp;
Before he found himself on the big screen, Stan starred in local productions of musicals such as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/west-side-story-2021-remake-spielberg-ansel-elgort-rachel-zegler-musical" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Side Story</a> and Little Shop of Horrors. After a minor role in an Austrian film in 1994, Stan found himself on a set that every young actor in New York has to pass through at least once: Law &amp; Order.&nbsp;
After more than two decades as an actor, the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/sebastian-stan-margot-robbie-interview-pam-and-tommy-fresh-i-tonya-gossip-girl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">L'OFFICIEL cover star</a> has starred in Hollywood&rsquo;s biggest television series and franchises, modeled for brands like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/hugo-boss-proves-that-fragrances-are-more-than-just-scents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hugo Boss</a>, and remained committed to philanthropic work for children in Romania. In honor of his 41st birthday, take a look at some of the star&rsquo;s most iconic roles.

In 2003, a fresh-faced Stan had a one-episode stint on Law &amp; Order in which&nbsp;he played Justin Capshaw, a teenage sniper accused of killing four people. He shared his first episode on American television with Modern Family star Ty Burrell, who played his father.

Photo via IMDb.

"Law & Order"

Following a few indie movies, Stan starred in this supernatural horror flick alongside Friday Night Lights alum Taylor Kitsch and his soon-to-be Gossip Girl castmate Chace Crawford. Stan played Chase Collins, a high schooler and descendant of a witch family. While the film wasn&rsquo;t a critical success, with the rise of streaming services, it has garnered a cult fanbase.

"The Covenant"

From 2007 to 2010, Stan left his mark on the incredibly popular teen show in just 11 episodes. He played everyone&rsquo;s favorite rich outcast Carter Baizen, who, in true <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-gossip-girl-fashion-moments-blair-waldorf-serena-van-der-woodsen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gossip Girl</a> fashion, was involved with both <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gossip-girl-blair-waldorf-leighton-meester-reboot-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Waldorf</a> (Leighton Meester) and her BFF Serena van der Woodsen (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/blake-lively-postpartum-body-clothes-struggle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blake Lively</a>). Stan and Meester actually dated for a short time while on the show together before she met her husband Adam Brody. 
In other series, Carter and Serena had the original PR relationship while he helped her search for her father undercover, but she eventually dropped him after finding out he was withholding information so he could spend more time with her. When asked a few years ago if he would ever partake in a Gossip Girl reunion, Stan was optimistic. "Sure, I would do it, why not? It was a great experience," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka7EILg7JJE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he said</a>. "It was one of my first jobs in New York, and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for that show and everybody who was on it." Fans were hopeful Stan would make a surprise cameo in the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/gossip-girl-reboot-part-2-trailer-thanksgiving-day-release-hbo-max" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gossip Girl reboot</a>, however it was shortly cancelled after Season 2.

"Gossip Girl"

When his time on Gossip Girl came to a close, Stan was cast as Marvel comic book character Bucky Barnes (a.k.a. the Winter Soldier). In the first of his seven MCU films, Stan plays alongside Chris Evans as Captain America&rsquo;s best friend and later brainwashed assassin. Over the next decade, Stan starred in some of the studio&rsquo;s highest-grossing films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-first-avengers-infinity-war-trailer-is-here-and-it-s-epic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avengers: Infinity War</a>, and Avengers: Endgame.

"Captain America: The First Avenger"

After his first Marvel movie, when he <a href="https://www.etonline.com/the-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-interview-162422" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> thought he wouldn&rsquo;t be able to pay his rent, Stan joined the cast of the beloved ABC mystery-drama Once Upon a Time. His performance of The Mad Hatter was praised by TV critics who called him a "scene-stealer," and he quickly became a fan favorite. However, he was only on the series for a total of six episodes due to his contract with Marvel Studios.

"Once Upon a Time"

In 2015, after a whirlwind of films and TV appearances, Stan played Dr. Chris Beck in the Golden Globe-winning science-fiction film The Martian. The star-studded cast included Matt Damon, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jessica-chastain-actress-fashion-history-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Chastain</a>, Kate Mara, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/phoebe-waller-bridge-donald-glover-mr-and-mrs-smith-reboot-brad-pitt-angelina-jolie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Glover</a>. He also worked with legendary director and producer Ridley Scott.&nbsp;

"The Martian"

In his biggest leading film role to date, Stan starred in 2017&rsquo;s biographical black comedy about famous <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/celebrities-that-trained-for-the-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">figure skater</a> Tonya Harding as Jeff Gillooly, the abusive ex-husband of Harding (played by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/margot-robbie-greta-gerwig-barbie-doll-movie-filming-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Margot Robbie</a>). The Oscar-winning film was shot in just 30 days and Stan said it was an equally exciting and exhausting experience. 'Working with Margot was a dream come true,&rdquo; he said in a 2017 <a href="https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/scene-stealer-sebastian-stan-i-tonya-1202642443/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a>. 'We laughed, we cried, we were exhausted at some points. There&rsquo;s a scene with a gun that loomed large in my mind; I was always sort of dreading it because I knew it would be difficult emotionally. We shot it over and over again. We went from over-the-top to subtle, just trying to find it,&rdquo; the actor explained. &ldquo;Margot was very inspiring to be around during difficult times&hellip; she kept showing up and having the best attitude. It inspired and motivated you.&rdquo;

"I, Tonya"

Following the success of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/elizabeth-olsen-movies-wandavision-kill-your-darlings-wind-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WandaVision</a> in 2021, Stan reprised his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/driving-home-2-u-olivia-rodrigo-new-movie-disney-plus-sour-album-drivers-license" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disney+</a> limited series. Stan and his co-star Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson in the MCU), were praised for the show&rsquo;s social commentary and their chemistry with each other. The six-episode series garnered five <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-looks-2021-emmy-awards-red-carpet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emmy</a> nominations and a fourth Captain America film is currently in the works as a continuation of the show&rsquo;s plot.&nbsp;

"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

In perhaps his most controversial role to date, Stan played real-life M&ouml;tley Cr&uuml;e drummer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/pamela-anderson-tommy-lee-most-famous-moments-young-photos-90s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tommy Lee</a> in Hulu&rsquo;s hit show, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/courtney-love-lily-james-hulu-series-pam-and-tommy-pamela-anderson-tommy-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pam &amp; Tommy</a>. The limited series follows the rise and fall of Baywatch star Pamela Anderson (played by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/pam-and-tommy-makeup-hair-prosthetics-lily-james-pamela-anderson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lily James</a>) and her husband, Lee, after their sex tape is stolen and released on the internet. Stan actually met with Lee as preparation for the role. &ldquo;My intention was simply just to introduce myself and raise my hand,&rdquo; he said in an <a href="https://collider.com/sebastian-stan-pam-tommy-lee-love-confession-scene-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a>. &ldquo;I just thought that was the respectful and decent human thing to do when someone&rsquo;s alive.&rdquo; Stan spent months preparing for the role, learning the drums, adopting Lee&rsquo;s voice, and losing a considerable amount of weight. Stan opened up about his experience with body dysmorphia, saying he often fasted for up to 18 hours a day while running or getting in at least 20,000 steps. "It was always difficult because I just wasn't the same frame as him,&rdquo; Stan <a href="https://ew.com/tv/pam-and-tommy-sebastian-stan-weight-loss-finale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &ldquo;I was trying to lose weight and I still felt I didn't lose enough weight, and people were telling me I was crazy and going, 'You have body dysmorphia now,' which I always did anyway."

"Pam & Tommy"

In a complete 180-degree turn, Stan&rsquo;s relatively recent role is in 2022&rsquo;s black comedy thriller Fresh. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/hulu-amanda-seyfried-elizabeth-holmes-series-first-look-the-dropout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hulu&rsquo;s</a> original film, written by Lauryn Kahn and produced by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/dont-look-up-movie-cast-timothee-chalamet-ariana-grande-netflix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam McKay</a>, has been praised by critics who commended Stan&rsquo;s unsettling performance in this "meat-cute." The film follows Noa (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/daisy-edgar-jones-interview-simone-rocha-hm-collaboration-white-dress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daisy Edgar-Jones</a>), a young woman who goes on a spontaneous, yet charming date with Stan&rsquo;s character Steve, but soon finds out a horrific secret. As scary as it is satisfying, this film proves that Stan can truly do it all.

Sebastian Stan’s 10 Most Iconic Roles

Tags

Related Articles

Film & TV

Pamela Anderson Will Tell Her Story in a Netflix Documentary

Fashion

Leighton Meester Shares Her Thoughts on 'Gossip Girl' Reboot

Film & TV

Lily James and Sebastian Stan Recreate Sextape in New 'Pam & Tommy' Trailer

Recommended posts for you

Film & TV

Himesh Patel Is Always Adapting

Travel & Living

15 Captivating French Interior Designers to Follow on Instagram

Fashion

Michael Rider Appointed as New Creative Director of Celine

Travel & Living

Chef Max Rocha's New Cookbook Focuses On Simplicity

Shopping

The Best Sunglasses for Men to Shop Right Now

Fashion

The Return of the Isabel Marant Wedge Sneaker

Shopping

The Best Lingerie-Inspired Silk Dresses for Fall

Fashion Week

All the Best Spring/Summer 2025 Looks From the Paris Fashion Week Runways