Bruce Marchiano is an actor, producer/director, author, and ministry director best known for his actor’s portrayal of Jesus in The Visual Bible; The Gospel of Matthew, the Pure Flix hit, The Encounter, and the pro-life film, Alison’s Choice.

A 38-year veteran of the film industry, Marchiano began his acting career with guest roles on classic television shows such as Murder She Wrote, Colombo, L.A. Law…to name just a few. In 1993 Bruce was cast to portray Jesus in The Gospel of Matthew, and as he likes to say, “The rest is history.” Matthew is regarded as one of the most landmark Jesus films of all time.

As Matthew gained both national and global acclaim, doors exploded open for Bruce in faith-based films as well as speaking, writing and Christian ministry, and Bruce turned his focus in these directions.

As a result, Marchiano’s many Christian and Biblical films are too numerous to list. Beyond Matthew and The Encounter, popular titles include This is Our Time, Road to Emmaus, The Last Supper, Revelation Road, Acts of the Apostles…and many more. Marchiano has garnered numerous awards, and has been honored by the International Christian Film Festival as Best Actor (2018) and Leadership in Christian Films Award (2022). Marchiano holds the distinction of portraying Jesus in more films than any actor in history – a distinction he considers his most cherished honor.

In 2016, Bruce made his directorial debut in the award-winning, Alison’s Choice, heralded by Live Action News as “the most overtly pro-life film that has been created.” Alongside numerous testimonies of babies’ lives rescued from abortion, YouTube views of Alison’s Choice are nearly 20 million worldwide.

Following Alison’s Choice in 2021, Bruce completed principal photography on the upcoming Biblical epic, The Gospel According to John, currently in post-production and due for release in 2024. 

Off the set, Marchiano is the founder of Marchiano Ministries, a non-profit outreach ministry largely involved in South Africa where Bruce has built churches, conducted innumerable missions, and currently provides daily meals to hundreds of destitute and HIV-affected children.   

As an author, Marchiano has penned several books on the person of Jesus. Among them are In the Footsteps of Jesus; Jesus Yesterday, Today & Forever; and Jesus Wept; all honored by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association as Gold Medallion Finalists. Other titles include Jesus the Man Who Loved Women, Meeting Jesus, and The Character of a Man. 

To quote Bruce, “I could never have imagined what the Lord planned to do with the acting dreams of a chubby 13-year old who had one line in his high school play.”

“As Bruce’s pastor of many years I can tell you that playing Jesus is not an acting job to him, but a ministry. Jesus is his Savior for whom he lives and serves faithfully.” Dr. Jack Hayford

“Bruce’s film portrayals of Jesus and his ministry beyond have moved me to tears.” Kay Arthur