Nick Sandow

Biography

Nick Sandow, born on August 3, 1966, is a multifaceted American actor, writer, producer, and director, celebrated for his portrayal of Joe Caputo in the acclaimed Netflix series, Orange Is the New Black, which aired from 2013 to 2019.

Hailing from Italian heritage, Sandow spent his formative years in the Van Nest neighborhood of the Bronx. At the age of 19, he relocated to Manhattan to pursue an acting career, enrolling in the Two-Year Professional Actor Training Program at the William Esper Studio, while also engaging in theatrical productions.

Sandow's journey in showbiz commenced with a guest appearance on the television series Law & Order in 1992. To support himself, he worked as a bartender while taking on small acting roles in New York City. His film credits include titles such as Grind (1997), A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998), Return to Paradise (1998), and On the Run (1999). Additionally, he starred in the off-Broadway play Halfway Home in 1999 and portrayed mobster Henry Hill in the 2001 TV movie The Big Heist. Sandow has guest-starred in numerous shows, including NYPD Blue, Boardwalk Empire, and Blue Bloods. He began directing Off-Off-Broadway productions with titles like Dark Yellow and Chicken, and in 2011, he helmed the immigrant drama film Ponies.

In 2013, Sandow joined the cast of Orange Is the New Black as Joe Caputo, a character initially intended for a few episodes, but which grew significantly in prominence. He became a series regular in the third season and earned three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. In 2015, he wrote, directed, and starred in The Wannabe, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. His producing work on the documentary series Time: The Kalief Browder Story earned him a