Down, girls. I know we all love an on-screen chef. Perhaps it's the precise way their hands chop vegetables, or maybe it's their kitchen commands that can only be answered with a breathy "yes, chef." Well, allow us introduce you to Dominic Sessa.
The actor has been given the monumental task of portraying the beloved chef and author Anthony Bourdain in the upcoming biopic, Tony, which focuses on the formative years of his post-high school days. It explores Bourdain on the precipice of becoming one of the world's greatest culinary icons and travel documentarians. It is a massive legacy to live up to – capturing a full, brilliant life that came to a tragic end. But I don’t think there could have been a better choice to mirror Bourdain's trademark radical empathy and blunt transparency than Sessa.
Sessa’s own career has had an incredible, almost purely coincidental start. So, while you might already know everything about the extraordinary icon he is playing, here is what you need to know about the man stepping into his shoes...
He never had plans to be an actor
One of the most interesting facts about Sessa is that he initially had no interest in becoming an actor. It all started in high school when a broken femur forced him to put ice hockey on hold, that ultimately led him to try out for a school musical instead. After he got a taste of the stage, it was all up to fate. The casting director for The Holdovers began reaching out to the drama departments of the schools where they were filming because, despite reviewing over 800 auditions, they still hadn't found the right actor. Then, out of the 12 students who applied, Sessa landed the leading role of Angus Tully.
Sessa has always been incredibly candid about his accidental path to becoming an actor, admitting in red-carpet interviews that he wasn't much of a film buff growing up. Yet, despite only acting professionally since 2023, he has already starred in an Academy Award-winning film, joined the sequel to a massive blockbuster, wrapped an indie feature, and is now leading a major biopic.
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He's from New Jersey
Sessa was born and raised in New Jersey, but moved to Massachusetts in grade 10 and boarded at Deerfield Academy on an athletic scholarship. Yes, this was the school that ultimately landed him his role in The Holdovers.
He's only 23
Yes, despite having a face straight from the 70s' with those mutton chops. He was born on 25 October 2002, which makes him a Scorpio.
Tony is his first leading role
And how does one even begin to tell the story of one of the most formidable forces in food and culture? Well, judging by some early glowing reviews, Sessa does it incredibly well.
In an interview with GQ Sessa and the director of Tony Matt Johnson admitted that Bourdain wasn't a role model they initially connected with. "We both had a strident lack of interest in Anthony Bourdain. He wasn’t a role model to either of us. And because we didn’t view him as a role model, it let us look at the character as somebody who could be influenced by others.” Johnson shared. Perhaps that is the secret to playing a biopic well.
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He's a Saint Laurent ambassador
Are we surprised? Sessa was snapped up shortly after The Holdovers premiered, and is the quintessential Saint Laurent man. Tall, lanky, but still looks like he's lived a thousand lives and has the wisdom to show it. He's joined by fellow ambassadors Austin Butler and Connor Storrie.
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