'Challengers' star Mike Faist is from Ohio. More about the actor and his notable roles

Mike Faist, one of the leads of the recent movie "Challengers," a sports drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino, has been the talk of the town on social media.

You may have also seen him in the movie "West Side Story" and Broadway musicals like "Newsies" and "Dear Evan Hansen."

But did you know this gifted theater kid was born and raised in Ohio? Here’s what to know about Mike Faist.

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Where was Mike Faist born?

Michael Faist, or Mike, was raised in Gahanna, Ohio by adoptive parents Julia and Kurt Faist, according to People.

Gahanna is located northeast of Columbus near John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

How old is Mike Faist?

Faist turned 32 years old in 2024. He was born on Jan. 5, 1992.

How did Faist start acting?

Faist’s acting passions began with movies, theater, and dancing, and he participated in theater at his high school, Gahanna Lincoln High School.

After graduating at 17, he moved to New York to pursue an acting career. He eventually got roles on Broadway, and his breakthrough role was Connor Murphy in "Dear Evan Hansen."

Mike Faist’s famous co-stars

Faist has been looming on the screen with starring roles in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of "West Side Story" alongside Rachel Zegler, and just recently Luca Guadagnino’s "Challengers" with Zendaya and Josh O'Connor.

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What critics are saying about Challengers

This movie isn’t just about tennis — it’s about three tennis lovers in a dramatic love triangle.

"Challengers," a romantic sports drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, premiered in theaters on April 25.

The film follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis star turned coach attempting to turn her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), into the next tennis champion. But in order to do so, he must face off against her ex-boyfriend Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor).

Challengers received a solid reception with an 88 percent “fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 319 reviews within a month. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes say Challengers is a “thrilling tennis-set romance that puts the unfiltered love of the game and the highs and lows of unabashed competition to the test in one of the great sporting movies of our time”.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Did you know Mike Faist is from Ohio? More about the 'Challengers' star