If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you’ve seen the blue eyes. You’ve seen the tattoos, the messy curls, and that specific brand of "stressed-out chef" energy that has launched a thousand memes. But while the internet is busy thirsting over the guy in the kitchen, there is a lot more to the story of Jeremy Allen White, the actor who played Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild to think about how perfect the casting was for The Bear. Carmy is this vibrating wire of anxiety and talent, a guy who can cook a Michelin-level meal but can’t seem to have a normal conversation without looking like he’s about to vibrate out of his skin. But White didn't just stumble into the role. He’s been around for a long time, and if you think he just "learned to cook for a part," you’re missing the sheer amount of work he put in to keep that kitchen from feeling like a TV set.
Who is Jeremy Allen White?
Basically, he’s a Brooklyn kid who grew up in the theater scene. His parents were both actors who moved to New York to make it on Broadway, so it was sort of in his blood from day one. Before he was even thinking about knives or "yes, chef," he was actually a dancer. We’re talking ballet, jazz, and tap—the whole nine yards.
He eventually traded the dance shoes for acting, attending the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan. Most people recognize him from his decade-long stint as Lip Gallagher on Shameless. That was his big break, and it’s where he really honed that "troubled but brilliant guy from a messy family" vibe that he eventually perfected in The Bear.
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Why the Carmy Berzatto role almost didn't happen
It’s a funny thing about actors: they get scared of being typecast. When the script for The Bear first landed on Jeremy’s desk, he was actually a bit hesitant. He had just spent eleven seasons playing Lip Gallagher, a character who was—surprise, surprise—a genius from a dysfunctional Chicago family dealing with a lot of trauma.
He told GQ and other outlets that he was worried it felt too similar. He didn't want to just play "Lip 2.0" in a chef’s coat. But the writing by Christopher Storer was so sharp, and the world of high-stakes culinary arts was so specific, that he eventually realized Carmy was a completely different animal.
Prepping for the kitchen
Jeremy didn't just show up and pretend to chop onions. He went to "chef boot camp" at the Institute of Culinary Education. He also "staged" (which is basically an unpaid internship in the restaurant world) at Pasjoli, a Michelin-starred spot in Santa Monica.
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- He worked the line during actual dinner rushes.
- He learned the "ballet" of a kitchen—how to move without crashing into people.
- He spent weeks just practicing his knife skills so he wouldn't look like an amateur on camera.
The Awards and the "Bear" Effect
Since the show premiered in 2022, the guy has basically been cleaning up at every award show. We’re talking back-to-back Emmys, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards. It’s a rare feat to see someone dominate the comedy categories like this, especially for a show that is... well, let’s be real, it’s mostly a high-intensity drama with a few jokes about Ecto Cooler.
As of 2026, he’s still the face of the show, but he’s also moving into massive film roles. He played Kerry Von Erich in The Iron Claw (he got absolutely shredded for that, by the way) and is currently the lead in the Bruce Springsteen biopic, Deliver Me from Nowhere.
What most people get wrong
People often think Carmy’s tattoos are Jeremy’s real tattoos. They aren't. Most of them are fake, designed specifically for the character to tell a story about Carmy’s past.
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Another misconception? That he’s actually a great cook now. He’s admitted in interviews that while he can "fake it" really well for the cameras and his knife skills are decent, he’s not exactly out here opening his own restaurant in real life. He’s an actor first.
If you want to see more of the man behind the apron:
- Watch Shameless: If you want to see where he started, Lip Gallagher is the blueprint.
- Check out The Iron Claw: For a totally different, more physical performance.
- Follow the "The Bear" filming updates: Season 4 and beyond are always in the works, and the production often takes over real Chicago neighborhoods.
If you’re looking to channel your inner Carmy, maybe skip the cigarette and the panic attacks and just start by learning how to properly dice an onion. It’s a lot harder than Jeremy Allen White makes it look.