Stephen Wallem is a highly acclaimed and accomplished actor, singer, and cabaret performer, best recognized for his seven-season stint as Thor Lundgren on the esteemed Showtime series "Nurse Jackie", which earned him a SAG Award nomination.
Prior to his television debut, Wallem worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago, before making the move to New York City. His notable appearances include Randall on Louis CK's surprise mini-series "Horace and Pete" and Chad on "Difficult People".
In recent years, Wallem has been seen in various productions, including "Seussical" and "The Wizard of Oz" at The Muny in St. Louis, as well as his professional opera debut in New York City Opera's "Anna Nicole". He continues to perform in cabaret and theater in Manhattan, with credits including "A Burly Night Music" at Birdland, "Off the Wallem" at Don't Tell Mama, the Sondheim "Unplugged" series at 54 Below, and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream" at New York City Center.
Wallem's performance in "Bedroom Secrets" earned him the 2014 Fringe NYC Overall Excellence in Acting Award, and he also teamed up with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret "The Other Steve and Edie" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. The Chicago Cabaret Professionals named Stephen their National Honoree for 2014.
In addition to his extensive stage credits, Wallem has also toured nationally with productions such as "Forever Plaid", "Into the Woods", and "Scrooge" starring Richard Chamberlain. He has accrued nearly 2500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies of "Forever Plaid", including Chicago, Las Vegas, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour.
Wallem has also made notable appearances at the Ravinia Festival, sharing the stage with renowned performers such as Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Michael Cerveris in productions of "A Little Night Music", "Passion", and "Sunday in the Park with George".
As a result of his role on "Nurse Jackie" incorporating his own experiences as a Type 1 diabetic, Wallem was asked to serve as the celebrity ambassador for "Picture This: Diabetes", a national diabetes awareness campaign sponsored by Entertainment Industries Council and Novo Nordisk. He has spoken at events in Chicago, Atlanta, and on Capitol Hill, as well as appearing in a national public service announcement.
Wallem has also received the 2012 JDRF Angel Award with his sister Linda and has served as host of the Marriage Equality USA National Gala in 2013 and the Empire State Pride Agenda Gala in 2014. He was also a keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign gala in Philadelphia.
