Electronic Press Kit
Mark Merphy
Sizzle Reel
Selected footage pending
distribution approval
A curated sizzle reel of scenes from Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? and selected work will be available here once footage is cleared for public release.
SAG-AFTRA Actor
MARK MERPHY
New York City
Psychological Drama · Historical Drama · Character-Driven Thriller
About
Raised in the Bronx's Edenwald Houses, Mark Merphy became fascinated with storytelling long before acting seemed possible. He grew up watching old films with his grandfather, acting out scenes, filling notebooks with ideas for movies that didn't exist yet.
He studied computer science with the intention of building video games, but storytelling kept pulling him toward performance. In 2023 he created a Backstage account and committed to the work. His first booking was a national Bring Change 2 Mind commercial — and he kept going.
That same account is how he found Shinya Tsukamoto's Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? — now selected for Venice and Toronto. He auditioned in a military jacket with a toy prop pistol and got the part. He plays Young Allen.
He's drawn to psychological dramas, historical dramas, character-driven thrillers, black comedy, absurdism, and horror. Characters who are carrying something heavier than they let on. Influences: Spike Lee, Edgar Wright, Ryan Coogler.
"I'm drawn to characters who carry the world on their shoulders — who stretch themselves too thin trying to do better, even when it costs them everything."
Current Project
Vietnam flashback
Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?
Role
Young Allen
Director
Shinya Tsukamoto
Format
Feature Film
Production
CMI
A psychologically intense anti-war drama based on the life of Allen Nelson. It explores combat, survival, guilt, memory, and moral injury.
Festival Selections
83rd Venice International Film Festival — World Premiere, In Competition
Toronto International Film Festival — North American Premiere, Official Selection
The Audition
Merphy found the project through Backstage. After an introductory meeting with the production team, he was invited to audition virtually for director Shinya Tsukamoto. He showed up in a military jacket and used a toy prop pistol in the scene. The choice resonated with Tsukamoto and he was cast as Young Allen.
Reel and selected scenes pending production and distribution approval.
Critical Praise
For his performance as Young Allen Nelson
“Promising newcomer Mark Merphy”
“The most convincing performance here is from debutant Mark Merphy as the young Allen…”
“Mark Merphy plays Allen as a young man and in the war, and he is formidable.”
“Mark Merphy embodies young Nelson with extraordinary physicality…”
“Another standout moment for Merphy.”
“He is mirrored in intensity by newcomer Mark Merphy playing the younger version of Allen…”
“Rodney Hicks and Mark Merphy effectively reproduce Allen's suffering…”
“Good performances by Rodney Hicks and Mark Merphy.”
“Mark Merphy proves himself equal to a role that is anything but simple for a newcomer.”
“Incredible and wonderful.”
“Mark Merphy and Rodney Hicks' passionate performances are nothing short of superb.”
“An equally admirable Mark Merphy as young Allen…”
Mark Merphy — Young Allen Nelson | Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? | Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto | 83rd Venice International Film Festival — In Competition | TIFF 2026
Selected Work
Film
Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?
Lead / Young Allen
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto
International war biographical drama
Forward
Lead
Directed by Micah Demby
Character-driven short film
Television
Ali's World Famous Halal Cart
Supporting
Directed by Jameel Shivji
Dark comedy television pilot
Commercial
Bring Change 2 Mind
Hero
Directed by Bart Baldwin
National mental health campaign
Call of Duty
Day Player
Activision
Commercial booking
Brius
Principal
Directed by Chris Bradley
Oral care brand campaign
Range
Headshots and performance imagery from film, television, and commercial work.
The Stories That Interest Me
Mark is drawn to stories that challenge people emotionally and morally. The characters that interest him most are usually carrying something beneath the surface. Guilt, responsibility, survival, grief, loyalty, impossible choices.
Especially Interested In
His creative influences include Spike Lee, Edgar Wright, Ryan Coogler, and Martin Scorsese's After Hours, a longtime favorite for its mix of anxiety, humor, atmosphere, and human vulnerability.
Character before spectacle.
Skills
Combat & Physical
Stage combat · Weapons familiarity · Boxing · Kickboxing · Wado-Ryu karate · Judo · Parkour · Weightlifting · Long-distance running · Sprinting
Performance
Improvisation · Teleprompter · Voiceover · Comedy · Modeling
Specialty
Rifle familiarity · Revolver & automatic firearm familiarity · Unicycle · Stunts · Gaming & digital performance
Accents
New York · Standard American · Boston · New England
Connect
Press
Reviews
Interviews
Festival coverage
Published profiles
Red carpet photographs
To be added as coverage becomes available.
Reel
Selected footage pending production and distribution approval.
Contact
Theatrical Representation
Available
Commercial Representation
Tracey Goldblum
Brady, Brannon & Rich Talent
Mark Merphy
New York City