Nick Sandow (born August 3, 1966) is an American character actor, writer, producer and director, best known for his role as Joe Caputo in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019).
Of Italian descent, Sandow grew up in the Italian neighborhood of Van Nest in the Bronx.He moved to Manhattan around age 19 to study acting under William Esper Studio in the Two-Year Professional Actor Training Program and work in theater.
Sandow made his debut appearing in an episode of television series Law & Order in 1992 and worked as a bartender while taking small acting jobs in New York City. He appeared in a number of films, such as Grind (1997), A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998), Return to Paradise (1998) and On the Run (1999). Sandow performed in the 1999 off-Broadway production of Halfway Home. He played mobster Henry Hill in the 2001 made-for-television crime drama film, The Big Heist. Sandow guest-starred on New York Undercover, Third Watch, NYPD Blue, Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, How to Make It in America and Blue Bloods. He began his directing career in theater on Off-Off-Broadway directing Dark Yellow, Chicken and From Riverdale to Riverhead. In 2011 he directed the immigrant drama film, Ponies based on play with the same name.
In 2013, Sandow was cast in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black, as prison administrator Joe Caputo, was originally supposed to have been for a handful of episodes for the show's first season. Instead, his role was expanded during the second season, and Sandow was made a series regular with the start of the third season. He received three Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with the cast. In 2015 he wrote, directed and acted in The Wannabe. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and later got a wider release. In 2017 he received News and Documentary Emmy Awards nomination for producing the documentary series, Time: The Kalief Browder Story. In 2021 he was regular cast member in the short-lived CBS crime drama series, Clarice.
Known For

Spinning Gold
Mo Ostin
2023

The Unheard
Hank
2023

Clarice
Murray Clarke · (13 episodes)
2021

Clarice: Behind the Scenes with Stars and Producers
Self
2021

Stella's Last Weekend
Ron
2018

FBI
Jack Grippo · (1 episode)
2018

Cabaret Maxime
Dominic
2018

Patti Cake$
Ray
2017

The Wannabe
Anthony
2015

Houses
Nick
2015

Meadowland
Lt. Garza
2015

All Roads Lead
Samuel Carter
2013

Orange Is the New Black
Joe Caputo · (91 episodes)
2013
Deal Travis In
Travis
2013

The Cold Lands
Foreman
2013

The Fitzgerald Family Christmas
Corey
2012

The Sitter
Officer Frank
2011

Unforgettable
William 'Bud' Spence · (1 episode)
2011

Blue Bloods
Lt. Alex Bello · (3 episodes)
2010
Bobby Cassidy: Counterpuncher
Interviewer
2010

Mercy
Scott's Dad · (1 episode)
2009

The Hungry Ghosts
Gus
2009

Frame Of Mind
Jimmy
2009

The Lovebirds
Lenny
2008

New Amsterdam
Frank · (1 episode)
2008

The Accidental Husband
Larry
2008

Resurrecting the Champ
Marciano
2007

Six Degrees
Louie · (1 episode)
2006

The Collection
2006

Connie and Carla
Al
2004

Swimfan
Detective John Zabel
2002

Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Roydell Getty · (1 episode)
2001

Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Albert Kirkoff · (1 episode)
2001

New Port South
Armstrong
2001

Dust
White trash
2001

The Big Heist
Henry Hill
2001

Seven and a Match
Doug
2001

The Day the Ponies Come Back
Joey
2001

Plan B
Tommy
2001

Uninvited
Ed
2000

Third Watch
Joe Lombardo · (12 episodes)
1999

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Ted McCormack · (1 episode)
1999

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Doug Kersten · (1 episode)
1999

On the Run
Jack
1999

Living Out Loud
Santi's Man
1998

Return to Paradise
Ravitch
1998

No Looking Back
Goldie
1998

Grind
Lenny
1997

Arresting Gena
Paul
1997

No Exit
Benny Lentini
1996

Hand Gun
Max
1994

Due South
Barry Pappas · (1 episode)
1994

Law & Order
Pete Pogosian · (1 episode)
1990

Law & Order
Bail Agent Andy Grenada · (1 episode)
1990

Law & Order
Officer Nelson · (1 episode)
1990