By Nicolas Ayala
Few actors have managed to straddle the line between genre icon and emotional lead as seamlessly as Joe Manganiello. Whether he’s wielding a trident as DC’s Deathstroke, hunting vampires on HBO’s True Blood, or dishing out charm and muscle in the Magic Mike series, Manganiello brings a layer of depth to roles that might otherwise be written as mere eye candy. But in 2024, with the release of Nonnas on Netflix, and through a deeply personal exploration of his own roots, Joe is proving that his most powerful performances are still ahead of him.
Even after 20 years, Joe Manganiello stands by his unpronounceable name
On the recent season premiere of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Manganiello found himself in a familiar spot — explaining his name. Host Pat Sajak, in one of his final gigs before retirement, asked if he’d ever considered changing it for the sake of pronunciation. Joe’s answer was classic and candid: “No. People are gonna have to learn how to pronounce it and spell it.” More than two decades into a career that’s spanned everything from One Tree Hill to Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, Manganiello has stuck to his guns. And while he jokes that people still mess it up, there’s a deeper truth in that stance. Just like his name, Joe’s career has been about authenticity — never molding himself into what’s easiest, but what’s real.
His role in Nonnas is a love letter to friendship, food, and the Italian-American experience
Joe Manganiello’s latest film Nonnas isn’t just another addition to his IMDb page; it’s a heartfelt celebration of family, culture, and second chances. Premiering May 9 on Netflix, the comedy-drama stars Manganiello alongside Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, and a cast of legendary “nonnas” — grandmothers-turned-chefs in an Italian restaurant. Joe plays Bruno, the loyal best friend who supports Joe’s (Vaughn) mission to honor his late mother by opening a restaurant staffed exclusively by local grandmas.
“We got to actually go to the restaurant and be served by the nonnas,” Manganiello told People. “And have dinner with the real-life Bruno and Joe. So we got to hang out with those two guys for the night.” That immersive prep trip wasn’t just method acting — it was a gateway into a story brimming with love, laughter, and meatballs. Nonnas isn’t just about Italian food; it’s about how family feeds the soul, even when it’s messy, loud, and deliciously imperfect.
Joe’s discovery of his ancestry adds a profound new chapter to his personal story
While fans know Manganiello as a man of action, Joe’s recent appearance on Finding Your Roots revealed a journey of introspection and revelation. In a twist worthy of its own screenplay, Joe learned that his last name isn’t even his original surname. More strikingly, genetic testing uncovered that he is descended from slaves and has Black ancestry — a part of his heritage that had been hidden beneath the surface of history.
“It’s opened up this whole world,” Manganiello said in a recent interview with TODAY.com. Since the episode aired, he’s hired historians, dug deeper into Ancestry.com, and connected with long-lost relatives. What began as a TV segment has transformed into a full-fledged mission. For a man whose career often explores myth and legend, Joe’s real-life quest for identity is perhaps his most meaningful role yet.
From genre titan to humanitarian, Manganiello’s win on Wheel was for more than show
True to form, Joe Manganiello didn’t just appear on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune for fun — he played to win. And win he did, taking home $198,000 for the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation of Pittsburgh. It’s the kind of move that flies under the radar but speaks volumes about who Joe is when the cameras aren’t rolling. A seasoned actor with a fanbase that spans comic book geeks to rom-com lovers, Manganiello continues to use his platform for causes that matter.
Joe Manganiello’s career and life are a masterclass in evolving with purpose
What makes Joe Manganiello’s story resonate so strongly across fandoms is that it’s not about one genre or one role. It’s about evolution. From the relentless cool of Deathstroke to the warm, messy humanity of Bruno in Nonnas, Joe’s range is matched only by his willingness to dig into who he really is — both on and off screen. Whether he’s battling supernatural creatures, cracking jokes with Vince Vaughn, or uncovering hidden chapters of his ancestry, Manganiello does it with passion, authenticity, and a touch of that signature swagger.
So, while the world may still stumble over how to say his name, Joe Manganiello continues to give us characters — and a life story — that are impossible to mispronounce when it comes to impact. And that, in the end, is what really matters.