Erik Jensen (born July 20, 1970) is an American actor, playwright, screenwriter, and director.
Jensen was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He graduated from Apple Valley High School in Minnesota in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Carnegie Mellon University.
An actor, writer, and director, Erik Jensen regularly appears on the ABC Network Television series For Life as ADA Dez O'Reilly. Notably, he appeared as Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx Is Burning, and as conspiracy talk show host Frank Cody in Mr. Robot, as well as Dr. Stephen Edwards on The Walking Dead. Jensen appeared alongside Aasif Mandvi in Ayad Akhtars' Disgraced at Lincoln Center. He also appeared as rock critic Lester Bangs in the one-man play How to Be a Rock Critic (based on the writings of Lester Bangs) which he co-wrote with his wife Jessica Blank. How to Be A Rock Critic received a completion commission from Center Theatre Group and was produced at the Kirk Douglas Theater, ArtsEmerson, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company before being produced Off-Broadway at The Public Theater.
In 2017 he co-directed the film Almost Home with Jessica Blank based on her novel of the same name.
Now In 2020, Jensen and Blank's co-written plays, Coal Country and The Line, both premiered at The Public Theater.
In 2022/2023, Jensen appeared on Broadway as Bruno Bischofberger opposite Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope in Anthony McCarten's 'The Collaboration'.
Jensen and Blank have cited the works of Anna Deavere Smith, Emily Mann, and Studs Terkel as influences
Known For
Doc
Ned Lenczyk · (1 episode)
2025
Brooklyn, Minnesota
Kurt
2024
The Equalizer
Abe Watkins · (1 episode)
2021
What Breaks the Ice
Sheriff McClain
2020
For Life
Dez O’Reilly · (1 episode)
2020
Modern Love
Darren · (1 episode)
2019
After Everything
Jeff
2018
MINDHUNTER
Dr. Moritz · (3 episodes)
2017
Quantico
Damon Grosch · (1 episode)
2015
Mr. Robot
Frank Cody · (8 episodes)
2015
House of Cards
Fitz · (1 episode)
2013
The Americans
Bruce Dameran · (2 episodes)
2013
Elementary
Isaac Proctor · (0 episode)
2012
The Frontier
Doctor Strong
2012
A Bird of the Air
Bearded Man
2011
Person of Interest
Walter Dang · (1 episode)
2011
Unforgettable
Jim Clayburn · (1 episode)
2011
The Walking Dead
Steven Edwards · (3 episodes)
2010
Blue Bloods
Jimmy · (1 episode)
2010
The Good Wife
Josh Baldwin · (1 episode)
2009
NCIS: Los Angeles
FBI Agent Landon Frisbee · (1 episode)
2009
Drop Dead Diva
Mr. Trilling · (1 episode)
2009
Virtuality
Dr. Jules Braun
2009
Virtuality
(1 episode)
2009
Castle
Jason Byford · (1 episode)
2009
Stream
Marco
2009
Leverage
John Connell · (1 episode)
2008
The Mentalist
Bran McTavish · (1 episode)
2008
New Amsterdam
Durst · (1 episode)
2008
The Bronx Is Burning
Thurman Munson · (8 episodes)
2007
The House Is Burning
Carl
2006
30 Rock
Cjokula · (2 episodes)
2006
Love Monkey
Jeff · (3 episodes)
2006
The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie
Photographer
2005
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Walter Harris · (1 episode)
2005
Messengers
David Richards
2004
Undermind
Ian Waye
2003
Heartbreak Hospital
Producer
2002
Black Knight
Derek
2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Richard Celeste · (1 episode)
2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Boyd · (1 episode)
2001
Alias
Phillip Terrance · (1 episode)
2001
Borough of Kings
Frankie the Snake
2000
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
Stoner #2
2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Jeffrey Sinclair · (6 episodes)
2000
Deadline
Feldman · (1 episode)
2000
Strong Medicine
Gaby's Father · (1 episode)
2000
Third Watch
Larry · (1 episode)
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
James Turner · (1 episode)
1999
The Love Letter
Ray
1999
Above Freezing
Richie
1998
Montana
Earl
1998
Julian Po
1997
Colin Fitz
Dean
1997
Twisted
Man Who Kills Can Man
1996
Ripe
Dave
1996
Inflammable
Roland Fantaine
1995
A Horse for Danny
Mooney
1995
Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace
Boat Owner
1991
Law & Order
Joey Springfield · (1 episode)
1990
Law & Order
George Harding · (1 episode)
1990