Justin Baldoni Biography: Justin Louis Baldoni born January 24, 1984 is an American actor, filmmaker, and advocate. He is best known for his role as Rafael Solano on the CW series Jane the Virgin (2014–2019), as well as for directing and starring in the 2024 romantic drama It Ends with Us. His directing credits also include Five Feet Apart (2019) and Clouds (2020). In 2019, Baldoni co-founded Wayfarer Studios, a production company focused on creating purpose-driven content. Through Wayfarer, he has also co-produced and hosted the Man Enough podcast, which explores modern masculinity. In addition to his work in film and television, he is the author of two books that challenge traditional gender roles and encourage emotional vulnerability in men. Baldoni’s 2024 film It Ends with Us, in which he starred alongside.
Justin Baldoni Biography
Justin Baldoni is an actor, director, producer, speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to creating meaningful and socially impactful media. He first gained recognition as the creator and director of the award-winning documentary series My Last Days. Baldoni made his feature film directorial debut with Five Feet Apart, which he also produced. The film exceeded box office expectations, earning over $80 million worldwide. Following its success, he was set to direct Clouds for Warner Bros. As an actor, Baldoni is best known for his acclaimed role as Rafael on The CW’s hit series Jane the Virgin. In addition to his work in film and television, Baldoni is a co-founder of Wayfarer Entertainment, a socially conscious media company committed to producing content that inspires, unites, and highlights the strength of human connection. Through this platform, he launched the conversation series Man Enough.
Justin Baldoni Biography 2025 Details
| Born | January 24, 1984
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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|---|---|
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Organization | Wayfarer Studios |
| Spouse |
Emily Foxler
(m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Justin Baldoni
Justin Louis Baldoni is an American actor and director. He is best known for playing Rafael Solano on the CW telenovela Jane the Virgin and for starring in and directing the romantic drama film It Ends with Us. He has also directed Five Feet Apart and Clouds.
Justin Baldoni Wiki
- Born: 24 January 1984 (age 41 years), Los Angeles, California, United States
- Spouse: Emily Baldoni (m. 2013)
- Height: 1.88 m
- Nationality: American
- Parents: Sam Baldoni, Sharon Baldoni
Early Life
Baldoni was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Medford, Oregon, to Sharon (née Solomon) and Sam Baldoni. His mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, with family roots in Central and Eastern Europe, while his father comes from an Italian Catholic background. His maternal grandfather served in World War II, and some of his relatives were victims of the Holocaust. Due to his mother’s lineage, Baldoni is considered Jewish under Halakha (Jewish law).
Despite these diverse religious influences, Baldoni was raised in the Baháʼí Faith, which both of his parents had embraced before his birth. He has visited Israel several times on Baháʼí pilgrimages. Growing up, Baldoni was active in sports, playing soccer and running track in high school. He also worked as a radio DJ at a local top 40 station. His journey into acting began unexpectedly when a manager noticed him while he was moving into a new apartment and encouraged him to pursue it professionally.
How Did Justin Baldoni Begin His Career?
Justin Baldoni’s journey into acting began somewhat unexpectedly—while moving into a Los Angeles apartment, he met a manager who encouraged him to pursue acting. That led to his television debut in The Young and the Restless in 2004. He quickly followed that with roles in series like Charmed, JAG, and a recurring part as Reid Bardem in Season 4 of Everwood. Baldoni soon expanded his creative efforts, producing his own work. In 2008, he wrote, directed, and produced his first music video, Armed, which won the Audience Choice Award at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival.
In 2010, he co-created the popular documentary series My Last Days with Rainn Wilson. The emotional series, which features terminally ill people sharing their stories about living meaningfully, gained massive attention online. The show was later picked up by The CW for its second season and aired a third in 2018. The success of this series inspired Baldoni to launch Wayfarer Studios in 2019, a production company focused on socially conscious storytelling.
How Much Did Justin Baldoni Make for It Ends With Us?
While his exact salary as director hasn’t been disclosed, it’s reported that Baldoni earned $320,000 for his acting role as Ryle Kincaid in It Ends With Us. It is unclear whether this amount includes any directing compensation. In contrast, Blake Lively reportedly received $3 million for her lead role in the film.
What’s the Status of the Lawsuit Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
As of now, no official dollar amount has been attached to Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. According to TMZ, Lively claimed Baldoni created a hostile work environment during the filming of It Ends With Us. She reportedly made a list of demands that addressed inappropriate comments and behaviors she experienced on set. In response, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman denied the allegations, calling them “false” and “intentionally salacious,” and claimed Lively was attempting to cover up her own negative behavior during the film’s production and promotion.
What Is Justin Baldoni Known For?
Before the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni was widely known for his role as Rafael in Jane the Virgin. His career also gained attention through his advocacy for emotional health and masculinity, as well as his work directing heartfelt films like Five Feet Apart and Clouds.
What Films Has Justin Baldoni Directed?
Baldoni’s directing career began with the series My Last Days and continued with the TV film Rebel with a Cause: The Sam Simon Story (2015). He made his feature directorial debut with Five Feet Apart in 2019, followed by Clouds (2020), and It Ends With Us (2024). He is currently in post-production on Laughing at My Nightmare, a documentary about Shane Burcaw, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy.
Does Baldoni Own the Rights to the Sequel It Starts With Us?
Yes, Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s production company, acquired the rights to both It Ends With Us and its sequel It Starts With Us before the books became massive bestsellers. When asked about directing the sequel, Baldoni said he believed someone else—possibly Blake Lively—might be better suited to direct it.
What Is Wayfarer Studios Worth?
Although the current valuation of Wayfarer Studios isn’t publicly disclosed, it was valued at $10 million in 2019. Its value likely increased after a $125 million investment from co-founder Steve Sarowitz in 2022, aimed at supporting the studio’s expansion and upcoming productions.
How Much Did Baldoni Earn on Jane the Virgin?
There is no official report on Baldoni’s salary for Jane the Virgin, but it’s estimated to be less than that of lead actress Gina Rodriguez, who earned around $40,000 to $60,000 per episode during her time on the show. As a supporting actor, Baldoni’s earnings were likely lower.
What Is Justin Baldoni’s Net Worth 2025?
As of now, Justin Baldoni’s estimated net worth is $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While this figure is substantial by most standards, it is modest compared to many Hollywood counterparts. For example, his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively has a reported net worth of $30 million.
FAQs
What is Justin Baldoni’s role in the film Five Feet Apart?
Justin Baldoni directed and produced Five Feet Apart, marking his feature film directorial debut, and the movie went on to gross over $80 million worldwide.
What is My Last Days and how is Justin Baldoni involved?
My Last Days is an award-winning documentary series created and directed by Justin Baldoni that focuses on individuals living with terminal illness and their powerful stories.
What is the Man Enough series about?
Man Enough is a conversation series created by Justin Baldoni that explores modern masculinity and covers topics like relationships, body image, and fatherhood.
What is Wayfarer Entertainment?
Wayfarer Entertainment is a media studio co-founded by Justin Baldoni, dedicated to producing content that promotes inspiration, connection, and social change.
Has Justin Baldoni given a TED Talk?
Yes, Justin Baldoni delivered a widely viewed TED Talk where he shared his personal experiences and perspectives on redefining masculinity.
Does Justin Baldoni speak publicly about masculinity?
Yes, he frequently speaks at universities and public events across the U.S., discussing masculinity and challenging traditional gender norms.