Tom Bernthal and Jon Bernthal are two successful men in their respective fields. Tom is a businessman, entrepreneur, and former NBC News producer, while Jon is an actor known for his roles in The Walking Dead, The Punisher, and Ford v Ferrari. But are they related? The answer is yes, they are brothers. Here is everything you need to know about their family background, career achievements, and personal lives.
Contents
The Bernthal Family History
Tom and Jon are the sons of Joan Lurie (née Marx) and Eric Lawrence “Rick” Bernthal, a former lawyer and chair of the board of directors for The Humane Society of the United States. They were born and raised in Washington, D.C., along with their younger brother Nicholas, who is an orthopedic surgeon and professor at UCLA
The Bernthals have a rich Jewish heritage and a musical legacy. Their paternal grandfather was Murray Bernthal (1911–2010), a musician and producer who worked with artists like Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman. He also founded the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series
Their cousin was Adam Schlesinger (1967–2020), a rock musician who co-founded the bands Fountains of Wayne and Ivy. He also wrote songs for movies and TV shows like That Thing You Do!, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and A Colbert Christmas. He won three Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and an Oscar nomination for his work. He died of COVID-19 complications in 2020
Tom Bernthal’s Career and Marriage
Tom Bernthal started his career as a White House communications aide during the Bill Clinton administration. He then became a news producer and journalist for NBC News, where he won three Emmy Awards for his work on shows like Today, Nightly News, Dateline, MSNBC, and CNBC
In 2002, he founded his own marketing and consulting agency, Kelton Global, which helps brands like Google, Nike, Target, and Starbucks with insights and strategies. He sold his company several years ago and is now on the board of directors at the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation.
Tom Bernthal was divorced and has three children from his previous marriage. He began dating Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg in 2019 after being set up by her late husband’s brother. They got engaged in 2020 and married in 2022 in Wyoming. Sandberg also has two children from her first marriage to Dave Goldberg, who died of a heart attack in 2015.
Jon Bernthal’s Acting Career and Family
Jon Bernthal studied at Skidmore College in New York but dropped out to pursue acting. He joined the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia, where he also played professional baseball. He then attended Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theater Training at the American Repertory Theater and graduated in 2002.
He moved to New York City and performed in over thirty plays regionally and Off-Broadway, including many with his own award-winning theater company, Fovea Floods. He made his film debut in Mary/Mary (2002) and his TV debut in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2002). He has since appeared in over 70 films and TV shows, including The Class (2006–2007), Eastwick (2009–2010), The Pacific (2010), The Walking Dead (2010–2012; 2018), Daredevil (2016; 2023), The Punisher (2017–2019), Baby Driver (2017), Wind River (2017), Widows (2018), Ford v Ferrari (2019), Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021), King Richard (2021), The Many Saints of Newark (2021), We Own This City (2022), American Gigolo (2022), Sharp Stick (2022), Origin (2023), Snow Ponies (TBA), and Untitled Accountant Sequel (TBA). He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Frank Castle / The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again .
Jon Bernthal married Erin Angle, a trauma nurse and niece of professional wrestler Kurt Angle, in 2010. They have three children: two sons named Henry and Billy, and a daughter named Adeline. They live in Venice, California with their dog Boss.
Conclusion
Tom Bernthal and Jon Bernthal are brothers who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. They share a Jewish heritage, a musical legacy, and a close bond. They are also happily married and have children of their own. They are an example of a family that has overcome challenges and thrived in different arenas.
