Jake Cannavale, born Jacob Lumet Cannavale on May 1, 1995, in Manhattan, New York, is an American actor and musician. He is the son of actor Bobby Cannavale and screenwriter Jenny Lumet, grandson of director Sidney Lumet and great-grandson of singer and actress Lena Horne, making him a fourth-generation member of an American entertainment family. He is known for roles in Nurse Jackie, The Mandalorian and the Prime Video series Scarpetta, and fronts the New York grindcore band Vixen Maw.
TL;DR
- Jake Cannavale, American actor and musician, son of Bobby Cannavale and Jenny Lumet.
- Fourth-generation entertainer, descended from Sidney Lumet and Lena Horne.
- Known for Nurse Jackie, The Mandalorian and Scarpetta.
- Fronts grindcore band Vixen Maw and records under other music projects.
- Made his Broadway debut in 2015 in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacob Lumet Cannavale |
| Known As | Jake Cannavale |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1995 |
| Age | 31 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Musician |
| Active Since | 2009 |
| Father | Bobby Cannavale, actor |
| Mother | Jenny Lumet, screenwriter |
| Band | Vixen Maw (frontman) |
Who is Jake Cannavale?
Jake Cannavale is an American actor and musician best known for playing Toro Calican in The Mandalorian and for co-starring with his father, Bobby Cannavale, in the Prime Video series Scarpetta. He comes from a multi-generational entertainment family: his father is actor Bobby Cannavale, his mother is screenwriter Jenny Lumet, his grandfather is director Sidney Lumet, and his great-grandmother is singer and actress Lena Horne.
Despite the family name, Cannavale has said his lineage does not guarantee opportunities in the industry, telling The Face in 2020 that people often assume he is trading on his family connections rather than his own work.
Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family
Cannavale was born on May 1, 1995, in Manhattan, New York, to Bobby Cannavale and Jenny Lumet, who divorced when he was young. He grew up as the eldest son in a family with deep roots in American film, theater and music, spanning four generations of performers.
Education
Cannavale did not initially plan to become an actor and has said he assumed for years that acting was simply expected of him given his family background. His formal entry into the craft came through spontaneous opportunity rather than dedicated training, beginning with a television audition as a teenager.
Career Journey
Before Fame
Cannavale made his acting debut in 2009 on Nurse Jackie, the Showtime series in which his father Bobby played the lead character’s love interest. Two days before his first audition for the show, he dyed his hair green; the unconventional look reportedly helped him land the part.
How Jake Cannavale Got Started
His early screen credits include Romance and Cigarettes in 2005 and guest appearances on Nurse Jackie starting in 2009, followed by his Broadway debut in 2015 in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark. The Broadway role made him the fourth generation of his family to perform on Broadway, following his father, grandfather Sidney Lumet and great-grandparents Baruch Lumet and Lena Horne.
Breakthrough Moment
Cannavale gained wider recognition in 2019 for playing Toro Calican, a rookie bounty hunter, in the first season of Disney Plus’s The Mandalorian. The role introduced him to a global streaming audience well beyond the theater and independent film circles where he had worked previously.
Career Today
As of 2026, Cannavale stars in the Prime Video series Scarpetta alongside Nicole Kidman, playing a younger version of the character his father Bobby portrays as an adult. He also continues to front the New York grindcore band Vixen Maw and records under additional music projects including Vvitchboy and Diabolicus.
Acting and Music Work
Cannavale’s screen credits include Inside Man, Eat Brains Love, Moths and Butterflies and The Reunion, alongside his television work on Nurse Jackie, The Mandalorian and Scarpetta. Outside acting, he performs as the frontman of Vixen Maw, delivering vocals for the band’s high-speed, experimental grindcore sound, and has released material under separate solo-oriented projects.
Interesting Facts About Jake Cannavale
- He is a fourth-generation entertainer, following his father, grandfather Sidney Lumet, and great-grandparents Baruch Lumet and Lena Horne.
- He dyed his hair green two days before his first acting audition for Nurse Jackie.
- He plays a younger version of his real father’s character, Pete Marino, in the series Scarpetta.
- He fronts a grindcore band called Vixen Maw and records under other music aliases.
- He made his Broadway debut in 2015 in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark.
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Jake Cannavale’s full career history appears alongside other entertainment industry biographies on Leakshaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jake Cannavale?
Jake Cannavale is an American actor and musician, born May 1, 1995, known for roles in The Mandalorian, Nurse Jackie and Scarpetta.
How old is Jake Cannavale?
Jake Cannavale is 31 years old as of 2026, having been born on May 1, 1995.
Who are Jake Cannavale’s parents?
Jake Cannavale is the son of actor Bobby Cannavale and screenwriter Jenny Lumet, and the grandson of director Sidney Lumet.
What is Jake Cannavale known for?
Jake Cannavale played Toro Calican in The Mandalorian and currently stars in the Prime Video series Scarpetta alongside his father.
Is Jake Cannavale a musician?
Yes, Jake Cannavale fronts a New York grindcore band called Vixen Maw and records under other music projects.
