Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, Jake Goldsbie was probably a fixture of your after-school routine. Most people instantly lock him into the "Toby Isaacs" box from Degrassi: The Next Generation. It makes sense. He played the tech-savvy, often-suffering best friend for nearly a decade. But looking at the full list of jake goldsbie movies and tv shows, it's pretty wild how much other stuff he’s actually done. He wasn’t just the kid in the sweater vest; he was one of the most prolific Canadian child actors of his era.
He started young. Like, "Max in The Hardy Boys (1995)" young. From there, it was a sprint through voice acting, made-for-TV movies, and indie films. While his classmates were playing soccer, Jake was probably in a recording booth or on a set in Toronto.
The Toby Isaacs Era and the Degrassi Legacy
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Between 2001 and 2009, Jake lived and breathed Toby Isaacs. It’s funny because he actually auditioned for the role of J.T. Yorke first. Can you imagine? J.T. and Toby are such different vibes. Ryan Cooley eventually got J.T., and Jake became the quintessential nerd-hero Toby.
The character was groundbreaking in a quiet way. Toby was one of the few Jewish characters on mainstream teen TV at the time, and the show didn't shy away from that identity. Remember the episode where his grandfather’s history with the Holocaust was brought up? It was heavy. That was the Degrassi brand: taking a "geek" character and giving him actual, crushing weight to carry.
He stayed for 120 episodes. That is a massive chunk of a person's life. He even came back for those Degrassi: Minis and, famously, the "I'm Upset" music video by Drake (aka Aubrey Graham). Seeing Toby and J.T. reunited in 2018 felt like a fever dream for an entire generation.
Beyond the Hallways: The Voice Acting Secret
Here is what most people miss: Jake Goldsbie’s voice is probably more famous than his face. If you watched cartoons in the late 90s, you heard him. Constantly.
👉 See also: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
- Rolie Polie Olie: He voiced Junior Littlegreen.
- Corduroy: He was Marty.
- Redwall: He voiced Vitch.
- Franklin: He was the voice of Possum.
Voice acting is a different beast. You’re in a booth, often alone, trying to convey "scared hedgehog" or "excited toy" using nothing but your throat. It’s a technical skill that many child actors never master, but Jake's filmography is littered with these credits. He even did English dubbing for Pecola.
The Movies: From Jacob Two-Two to Molly’s Game
Jake's film career is a strange, eclectic mix. In 1999, he played Oscar in Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. That movie is a cult classic for Canadians. It’s weird, whimsical, and very "Toronto indie."
Then there’s the TV movie circuit. If a movie was filmed in Ontario in 2003, there was a 50% chance Jake Goldsbie was in it. Prince Charming (2001), The Red Sneakers (2002), and I Do, They Don't (2005) are all part of that mid-2000s cable TV aesthetic.
But then, out of nowhere, he pops up in Molly’s Game (2017).
Directed by Aaron Sorkin. Starring Jessica Chastain. Jake plays "LA Player." It’s a small role, sure, but it’s a Sorkin film. Going from a Disney Channel-style TV movie like Twitches to a prestige drama about high-stakes poker shows a lot of range. Or at least a very interesting career trajectory.
✨ Don't miss: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
What He's Doing Now (It’s Not Just Acting)
Acting is a tough gig to sustain forever. Around the early 2010s, Jake shifted gears. He didn't disappear; he just changed the medium. He studied journalism at Concordia University and eventually landed a gig at The Score (now Sportsnet 360).
It turns out the "tech nerd" from Degrassi was actually a massive sports nerd in real life.
He started writing and hosting podcasts about professional sports. He even co-hosted the On Blast Podcast with Andrew Zuber. It’s a weekly sports history show where they basically nerd out over old stats and legendary games. It’s a great example of an actor finding a "second act" that actually aligns with their genuine interests rather than just chasing the next guest spot on a procedural drama.
That said, he hasn't totally quit the stage or screen.
- Stage Work: In 2018, he was in Bad Jews at the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company.
- Recent TV: He appeared in Five Days at Memorial in 2022 and Mrs. America in 2020.
- Recent Stage: In 2023, he starred in Norm Foster’s Moving In.
The Full Breakdown of Jake Goldsbie Movies and TV Shows
If you're looking for a quick reference, here’s a messy, non-alphabetical look at the highlights of his career across three decades.
🔗 Read more: Wrong Address: Why This Nigerian Drama Is Still Sparking Conversations
The Early Childhood Years (1995–2000)
He started with The Hardy Boys and Critical Choices. Most of this era was defined by TV movies like Black and Blue and When Andrew Came Home. He was also the go-to voice for shows like Noddy and Rescue Heroes.
The Peak Degrassi Years (2001–2009)
This is the Toby Isaacs era. While filming the main show, he squeezed in Twitches, Leap Years, and Being Erica. He also did a lot of work for Rolie Polie Olie during this time, including the feature-length "Baby Bot Chase."
The Modern Era (2010–Present)
This is where things get "prestige." You’ve got Molly’s Game, Mrs. America, and Private Eyes. He's also been leaning heavily into theater, which seems to be where his heart is these days.
Why We Still Care About Toby
It’s easy to dismiss child stars as "that guy from that show." But Jake Goldsbie managed to navigate the transition into adulthood without the typical "Hollywood breakdown." He got his degree. He married comedian Michelle Shaughnessy. He found a niche in sports journalism.
When you look at jake goldsbie movies and tv shows, you aren't just looking at a resume. You're looking at the evolution of a Canadian kid who grew up in front of a camera and decided to stay grounded. Whether he's playing a doctor in a disaster miniseries or debating baseball stats on a podcast, he’s still that relatable guy we all felt like we knew in high school.
If you want to catch up on his work, your best bet is to start with the early seasons of Degrassi on Max or Tubi. After that, track down Molly’s Game for a glimpse of his more mature work. For the real fans, go find an old clip of Jacob Two-Two—it’s a trip.
For those interested in his most recent performances, keep an eye on Canadian theater listings. His work with the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company has been some of his most critically acclaimed to date. You can also listen to his sports commentary if you want to hear the man behind the character. His podcast episodes are still floating around on various streaming platforms, offering a much more personal look at his actual personality than any scripted role ever could.