Michael Malarkey, born on June 21, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, is a British-American actor and musician.
Born to an Irish-American father, Jim Malarkey, and a British mother, Nadia Bushrui, of Palestinian, Italian, and British descent, he holds dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom.
His grandfather, Suheil Bushrui, was a renowned Palestinian poet and the first Arab national to hold the Chair of English at the American University of Beirut from 1968 to 1986.
Raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Malarkey developed an early passion for the arts, particularly music and acting.
In 2006, he moved to London to study at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), laying the foundation for his career in performance.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Malarkey is a family man, married to English actress Nadine Lewington since 2009, with whom he shares two sons, born in 2014 and 2019.
Siblings
Michael is the eldest of three brothers, raised together in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
His younger brothers are Kevin Malarkey and Daniel Malarkey.
Kevin has followed a similar path to Michael, pursuing a career as an actor, though specific details about his career remain limited.
Career
Malarkey began on the London stage after graduating from LAMDA, earning lead roles in notable theater productions such as Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm and Eugene O’Neill’s Beyond the Horizon at the Royal National Theatre.
Also Read: Fred Durst Siblings: Getting to Know Cory Durst
He also portrayed Jay Gatsby in an adaptation of The Great Gatsby and Elvis Presley in the Original London Company of Million Dollar Quartet.
His stage work laid a strong foundation for his transition to screen acting.
Malarkey gained widespread recognition for his role as Lorenzo “Enzo” St. John in The CW’s The Vampire Diaries, joining as a recurring character in season five before becoming a series regular from seasons six to eight.
His portrayal of the complex, charming vampire resonated with audiences, cementing his status in the television industry.
Beyond The Vampire Diaries, Malarkey has appeared in series such as Project Blue Book as Captain Michael Quinn, The Oath as Sam Foster, Big Sky as Deputy Harvey, and The Night Agent on Netflix, where he joined the main cast for its second season in 2024.
His film credits include A Violent Separation (2019) and short films like Good Morning Rachel (2009) and Ghost in the Machine (2012).
As a musician, Malarkey’s passion for music developed during his teenage years in Yellow Springs, where he fronted local hardcore bands like Shadyside and Pawnamia.
After teaching himself guitar, he transitioned to a soulful, alternative folk style, releasing his debut EP, Feed the Flames, in 2014, followed by another EP in 2015.
His first full-length album, Mongrels, dropped in 2017, featuring singles like “Uncomfortably Numb” and “Mongrels,” accompanied by music videos.
In 2018, he released the EP Captain Solitaire, and in 2020, his second album, Graveracer, showcased his introspective songwriting, influenced by poetry and artists like Hunter S. Thompson.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
