Meet Billy Magnussen: Into the Woods' Breakout Star!

Billy Magnussen is undeniably one of the breakout stars of the new Into the Woods movie, so let’s take a minute to get to know him better!

The 29-year-old actor landed the role in the movie musical after the film’s star Meryl Streep saw him on Broadway and suggested to the director that he get the role.

“I remember the first day coming into rehearsal,” Billy told the New York Post. “Meryl was like, ‘Listen, I want you to know, I got you this f–king part.’”

At the time, Billy was starring on Broadway in the show Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, in which he strutted around the stage without his clothes on for much of the show (see above!) and even received a Tony Award nomination!

For those that don’t get to the theater in New York, you may recognize Billy for playing Casey Hughes on As the World Turns for three years or from his memorable guest roles on Boardwalk Empire and The Leftovers.

He was also up for the role of Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey last year and while he almost landed the part, he says, “It’s what fate had in store. It’s never really losing a role. It’s never mine to begin with, so how can I be upset for something I never had?”

While he hasn’t done that many musicals before, Billy has been honing his musical talents for years – he’s the guitarist in the band Reserved for Rondee, which has a show coming up on January 9 in New York City. Go get your tickets now!

Listen to Billy and fellow prince Chris Pine sing their scene-stealing scene “Agony” below: