Everywhere You've Seen Justin Baldoni Before

The star of 'It Ends With Us' has a long history in Hollywood.

There's no question that It Ends With Us is the most highly anticipated release of the summer. After blowing up on #BookTok in 2016, Colleen Hoover's novel reclaimed the spotlight this year with a movie deal starring Hollywood veteran Blake Lively as workaholic protagonist Lily Bloom, whose troubling love interest, Ryle Kincaid, is played by Justin Baldoni. Baldoni doesn't just play a character in It Ends With Us, however, he also directed the movie, a role he won only after securing Hoover's trust.

“I was very protective of this book,” Hoover told Variety. “But then I got an email from Justin that was really heartfelt, and I felt like he understood the book and he understood the importance of people needing to see it on-screen.”

It Ends With Us marks Baldoni's return to acting, which he had de-prioritized in favor of directing since Jane The Virgin wrapped back in 2019. And while Baldoni has spent the past few years behind the camera, he's actually been a working actor since the early aughts. Brush up on his Hollywood history ahead.

He held smaller roles throughout the 2000s.

Before he became a household name via Jane The Virgin, Baldoni worked tirelessly throughout the early aughts and 2010s, snagging small roles in movies like A Fine Step, Not Today, Isolated, and Royal Reunion. He guest starred in bigger TV shows like CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, and The Suite Life of Zac and Cody, and was an extra in House Bunny. However, it wasn't really until Jane The Virgin premiered in 2014 that Baldoni's Hollywood career took off.

During his reign on Jane the Virgin, he guest starred on the CBS drama Madame Secretary and played a leading role in the movie Con Man.

Baldoni played Rafael Solano in 'Jane The Virgin.'

Prior to It Ends With Us, Baldoni's most famous project was probably Jane The Virgin, where he played Rafael Solano, a principal character who appeared on the show for all five seasons. Baldoni's character went through a number of major life events, including a marriage, a divorce, and a trip to prison. The role certainly put Baldoni on the map.

Baldoni directed 'Five Feet Apart' and 'Clouds.'

It Ends With Us is far from Baldoni's first time behind the camera. In 2019, he made his directorial debut with Five Feet Apart, which he also co-produced. The film stars Haley Lu Richardson of The White Lotus fame alongside Cole Sprouse, who play two patients with cystic fibrosis and who—spoiler alert—fall in love.

One year later, Baldoni directed and produced Disney's Clouds, a romantic drama based on the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech. The movie starred Fin Argus and "Espresso" queen Sabrina Carpenter.

Baldoni authored two books.

Since Jane the Virgin, Baldoni has given a viral TED Talk, launched a podcast, and published two books—Man Enough: Undefining my Masculinity (2021) and Boys Will Be Human (2022). In other words, Baldoni has been busy. As he steps into leading man territory with It Ends With Us, it's likely things aren't going to slow down anytime soon.

His proposal video went viral in 2013.

Baldoni proposed to his now wife Emily back in 2013 via an elaborate set up at the restaurant where they had their first date. She arrived to an empty restaurant, open just for them, and atched a video recapping their relationship. It featured messages from their family, choreographed videos and a flash mob. Hidden cameras captured her ever reaction, and at the end, Baldoni walked in with a ring. It went viral shortly after he uploaded it to Youtube, garnering more than 14 million views.

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