David Corenswet

David Packard Corenswet (born July 8, 1993) is an American actor best known for his breakout role as Superman in James Gunn’s 2025 DC Universe film. He first gained recognition in the Netflix series The Politician (2019–2020) and Hollywood (2020), both created by Ryan Murphy. Corenswet has since appeared in acclaimed projects such as Pearl (2022), HBO’s We Own This City (2022), and Twisters (2024).

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Early Life and Education

Corenswet was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in the city and nearby Lower Merion. His father, John Corenswet, was a New Orleans–born stage actor turned lawyer, while his mother is also a lawyer. His maternal grandfather is Edward Packard, the creator of the Choose Your Own Adventure book series.

He attended the Shipley School, studied briefly at the University of Pennsylvania, and later transferred to the Juilliard School, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama in 2016.

Career

Early Work (2002–2018)

As a child actor, Corenswet appeared in numerous Philadelphia theatre productions, including All My Sons (2002) and Macbeth (2003). He wrote and acted in the short film Following Chase (2011) and co-created the web series Moe & Jerryweather (2014–2016). His first feature role came with Affairs of State (2018), alongside Thora Birch and Adrian Grenier. That same year, he guest-starred in House of Cards.

Rise to Prominence (2019–2022)

Corenswet’s major breakthrough came with Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series The Politician, where he played River Barkley. He followed this with the lead role of Jack Castello in Murphy’s Hollywood (2020). He later starred in We Own This City (2022), portraying real-life Baltimore police investigator David McDougall.

In film, Corenswet co-starred in the Netflix drama Look Both Ways (2022) and played The Projectionist in Ti West’s acclaimed horror film Pearl (2022).

Superman and Recent Roles (2023–present)

In 2023, James Gunn cast Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman and Ultraman in the DC Studios film Superman (2025). Upon release, his performance was praised as a definitive take on the iconic superhero, marking his rise as a household name.

He also appeared in the disaster film Twisters (2024), the Apple TV+ miniseries Lady in the Lake (2024), and was cast as NFL player John Tuggle in Mr. Irrelevant.

Personal Life

Corenswet married Julia Best Warner in March 2023 in a ceremony blending Catholic and Jewish traditions. The couple has one daughter, born in 2024, and resides in Pennsylvania. Though raised with Buddhist influences, he describes his upbringing as more focused on mindfulness than religious practice.