Dominic Sessa, a 23-year-old actor from New Jersey, is set to portray the late Anthony Bourdain in the highly anticipated biopic Tony, directed by Matt Johnson. This marks only his fifth film role, yet it could be the most significant of his burgeoning career.
The Film and Its Inspiration
The latest trailer for the biopic, inspired by the life of the beloved chef, writer, and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain, was released this week. While an official synopsis remains under wraps, A24 has confirmed that the film is set in the summer of 1976 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, before Bourdain embarked on his culinary journey. Bourdain, known for his bestselling books such as Kitchen Confidential and his television series Parts Unknown, tragically passed away in 2018 at the age of 61.
Cast and Crew
Matt Johnson, who previously directed Blackberry, helms the project. The cast includes Emilia Jones, Dagmara Dominczyk, Rich Sommer, Stavros Halkias, Leo Woodall, and Antonio Banderas. However, the spotlight is on Dominic Sessa, who steps into the shoes of Bourdain.
Who Is Dominic Sessa?
Born in New Jersey in 2002, Sessa's journey to stardom began unexpectedly. His mother was a teacher, and his father worked in payroll before passing away in 2017. Sessa received a scholarship to attend a college prep boarding school in Massachusetts, where he initially planned to study English. However, a casting call at his school led to his breakout role as Angus Tully in The Holdovers (2023), opposite Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph. His performance earned him a BAFTA nomination and a Critic's Choice Award.
Following The Holdovers, Sessa appeared in three 2025 films: the indie Tow with Rose Byrne, Prime Video's Oh What Fun, and the blockbuster sequel Now You See Me: Now You Don't, where he plays Bosco, a young impressionist.
Approaching the Role of Bourdain
In an interview with i-d magazine, Sessa shared his perspective on playing Bourdain: "It's a story about a young man who's f*****g up and figuring it out. That was incredibly relatable to me, and the main reason I wanted to do it." He added, "I tried to forget about the weight of how many people consider this person to be so respected and iconic."
Personal Life and Future Plans
Currently not in a relationship, Sessa has outlined a long-term vision for his personal life. He told i-d: "Maybe when I'm like 28 or 29 I'll start looking elsewhere. Somewhere like upstate New York, maybe Connecticut. Somewhere that I can get a lot of snow in the winter. 10 years after that, I'll get married, and I'll have a dog, like a Great Dane or a Doberman or something. Quiet place. Big a** house. Big a** yard. Big a** dogs. Love of your life. That's the end game."
Tony is expected to hit cinemas in August 2026.
