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You probably know him as the lovable, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing Toby Damon. Or maybe you recognize the booming voice and the imposing frame but can’t quite place the face under all that gold makeup. Honestly, Chris Sullivan movies and tv shows are a bit of a masterclass in "wait, that was him?" His career is a weird, wonderful mix of prestige drama, Marvel blockbusters, and indie horror that most people completely overlook because they’re too busy crying over This Is Us rewatches.
The guy is a chameleon. It’s not just the physical transformations—though those are intense—it’s the way he shifts from a terrifying, racist ambulance driver in the early 1900s to a goofy superhero sidekick without breaking a sweat. If you’ve only seen him on the NBC tear-jerker, you’re basically missing out on 80% of what makes him one of the most interesting character actors working in 2026.
The Roles That Defined the Early Years
Before the Emmys and the red carpets, Sullivan was grinding in the Chicago theater scene. It’s where he got his "Hump Day" camel voice (yes, that was him in the GEICO commercials) and where he built the foundation for his screen career.
His first big breakout wasn't even on a major network. It was on Cinemax. In Steven Soderbergh’s The Knick, Sullivan played Tom Cleary. If Toby Damon is the guy you want to hug, Tom Cleary is the guy you’d cross the street to avoid. He was a 1900s-era ambulance driver who was basically a street brawler with a medical badge. It was a gritty, ugly role that proved Sullivan could handle dark, complex material long before he became a household name.
Then came the "Benny" moment. You remember the first episode of Stranger Things? The diner owner who feeds Eleven and then immediately gets taken out by the bad guys? That was Benny Hammond. It was a tiny role, only lasting a couple of episodes, but it's one of those performances that fans still talk about because he brought so much warmth to a character that was literally just there to die.
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A Quick Look at the Major Credits:
- The Knick (2014-2015): Tom Cleary (the role that changed everything).
- Stranger Things (2016): Benny Hammond (the heartbeat of the pilot).
- This Is Us (2016-2022): Toby Damon (the one that made us all cry).
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): Taserface (yes, really).
The Marvel Transformation: Taserface and Beyond
Let’s talk about Taserface. When James Gunn cast Sullivan in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, most people didn't even realize it was him. He spent hours in the makeup chair to become the mutinous Ravager with the ridiculous name.
It’s a hilarious performance. He plays it so straight, which makes the jokes about his "metaphorical" name land even harder. He actually reprised the role (sorta) in the animated series What If...?, proving that even in the MCU, he’s a staple.
What’s cool about Sullivan is that he doesn't just do the big flashy stuff. He pops up in these intense indie films like Imperium (2016) alongside Daniel Radcliffe, or the psychological thriller I Trapped the Devil (2019). He’s also been a regular voice in the Megamind universe recently, lending his pipes to characters in Megamind Rules! and Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate.
What’s Happening in 2026?
As we move through 2026, Sullivan isn't slowing down. He’s currently attached to the sci-fi thriller Mercy, which is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Starring alongside Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, this Timur Bekmambetov-directed flick is a massive shift back into high-concept cinema for him.
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He’s also been busy with Presence, a horror-thriller that’s been making waves for its unique "POV" filming style. It’s a far cry from the Pearsons' living room, but that’s exactly where Sullivan thrives. He seems to go out of his way to find projects that challenge how the audience perceives him.
Recent and Upcoming Projects (2024-2026):
- Presence (2025/2026): A claustrophobic thriller where his physical presence (pun intended) is felt even when he's off-screen.
- Mercy (2026): A big-budget sci-fi entry that puts him back in the blockbuster world.
- The Calling (2022-present): His work as Paul Serra shows he’s still a force in police procedurals.
- Merry Little Batman (2023): He voiced Bane, because of course he did. That voice was made for a villain.
Why We Still Talk About Toby
We can't talk about Chris Sullivan movies and tv shows without addressing the 500-pound emotional gorilla in the room. Toby Damon.
For six seasons, Sullivan portrayed Toby’s struggle with depression, weight loss, and the eventual breakdown of his marriage with Kate. It was nuanced. It was painful. It earned him two Emmy nominations for a reason. Most actors would get stuck in that "sad dad" archetype forever, but Sullivan used that fame as a springboard to do weirder, bolder things.
He didn't just stay in his lane. He did Broadway (appearing in The Thanksgiving Play in 2023), he started a band (Sully and the Benevolent Folk), and he’s become a huge advocate for mental health.
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The Actionable Takeaway: Where to Start?
If you want to see the full range of what Chris Sullivan can do, don't just stick to the hits. You’ve gotta branch out.
- For the Drama: Watch The Knick. It’s his best "serious" work and it’s visually stunning.
- For the Fun: Watch Guardians 2. The Taserface scenes are pure gold.
- For the Vibes: Check out Stranger Things Season 1 again. Benny deserved better.
- For the Future: Keep an eye out for Mercy in theaters.
Sullivan is one of those rare actors who can be the comic relief and the most terrifying guy in the room at the same time. Whether he’s in a fat suit, a monster mask, or just a really nice sweater, he brings a level of humanity to his roles that’s hard to find. Honestly, he’s basically the secret weapon of every production he joins.
Next Step: Go find The Knick on Max (or whatever it's called this week). Seriously. It’ll change how you see "Toby" forever.