Happy Birthday Manny Jacinto: Exploring His Top 10 Movie And TV Roles As Actor Turns 37

As a lifestyle expert with an eye for recognizing talent and a knack for discerning the trajectory of promising careers, I must say that Manny Jacinto, at 37 years old, has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. His versatility, adaptability, and sheer acting prowess have been on full display throughout his career, which spans over a decade now.


Manny Jacinto, the Filipino-American actor, recently celebrated his 37th birthday. His stardom soared, and he gained countless new fans following his role in Disney’s Star Wars spinoff, The Acolyte. However, he has been a familiar face in the entertainment industry for quite some time, refining his acting abilities. Prior to his breakout role on NBC’s The Good Place, he had contributed his talents to numerous large and small roles in movies and TV shows.

Afterward, he assumed various characters across diverse genres such as horror, comedy, romance, and sci-fi, demonstrating his adaptability. On the occasion of Manny’s birthday, let us review his most notable performances in film and television by examining his top 10 roles.

Star Wars: The Acolyte

In Star Wars: The Acolyte, Manny Jacinto delivers an outstanding performance as Qimir, a villain who initially seems harmless but reveals a surprising dark side that may startle viewers. Beneath his mask, he skillfully portrays the depth of his character’s villainy, captivating audiences. His growing fame as the central figure in this series is well-deserved, and the series boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lee Jung-Jae, and more.

The Good Place

The TV show “The Good Place” tells the story of a woman who passes away and is inadvertently sent to an afterlife resembling heaven instead of hell. Kristen Bell stars as the protagonist. Meanwhile, Jacinto depicts a comical character named Jason, who meets his end during a burglary operation while he was living a less-than-virtuous life. Yet, Manny charms viewers with his heartwarming portrayal of the former miscreant.

Nine Perfect Strangers

In the film “Nine Perfect Strangers,” directed by Nicole Kidman and starring Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto takes on a new character: Yao, a former paramedic who plays a crucial part in saving Masha’s life. This role showcases a more subdued side of Manny, demonstrating his acting range and versatility. The movie can be watched on Hulu.

Top Gun: Maverick

In an alternate scenario, the movie Top Gun: Maverick could have been a major turning point for Manny Jacinto’s acting career, with him cast as a significant lead character. However, his role ended up being significantly reduced, with fewer lines and less screen time allocated. This turn of events left many fans feeling disappointed, a situation that Manny himself has addressed publicly. Despite knowing that the filmmakers were taking the project in a different direction while he was filming, Manny remained eager to share the screen with Tom Cruise.

I Want You Back

In a heartfelt romantic comedy titled “I Want You Back,” Charlie Day and Gina Rodriguez take center stage. Manny Jacinto joins them as Emma’s latest love interest, a dedicated middle school drama teacher with a deep affection for the arts. Although his screen time was limited, the depth he brought to the character left a lasting impression on viewers.

The Romeo Section

The Romeo Section features a psychological spy storyline, and within it, Jacinto plays the intricate character, Wing Lei. He’s driven but carries a somewhat dubious moral compass. Manny demonstrates versatility by embodying a role that straddles both goodness and villainy. His powerful portrayal has drawn a lot of admiration from viewers.

Brand New Cherry Flavor

Manny Jacinto features in several horror dramas, with one standout being the Netflix series “Brand New Cherry Flavor.” In this production, he takes on the role of Code, Lisa’s former lover who stands by her during tough times. Jacinto’s performance is a major highlight of the show.

Bad Times at the El Royale

In another chilling suspense-thriller, Manny Jacinto delivers an outstanding performance. The plot centers around six individuals who find themselves in a mysterious predicament at the El Royale hotel. Manny’s character, Waring “Wade” Espiritu, plays a significant but minor role. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, and others.

The Good Doctor

In a remake of the South Korean series with the same, The Good Doctor, Jacinto plays a guest role in one of the episodes. He portrays Bobby Ato, a champion gamer who has to give up his career because of his cancer diagnosis. He will boost up the lead character Shaun in a lot of ways and in the process, Jacinto as an actor has won many hearts.

Cora Bora

In the comedy-drama “Cora Bora,” Manny Jacinto portrays Tom, a possible love interest of the main character Cora. Tom is depicted as a laid-back friend to Cora who is part of a complicated open relationship. Despite some criticisms about the character development, Jacinto’s charming demeanor and heartwarming performance made him an excellent choice for the cast.

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2024-08-19 09:37