7 things to know about March for Life keynote speaker Jonathan Roumie of ‘The Chosen’

Jonathan Roumie is a devout Catholic actor best known for his role playing Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.” The 48-year-old’s popularity has spread like wildfire as the show has more than 450 million views worldwide.

During its first season, the show was the largest-ever crowdfunded television series and has been translated into 56 languages. In its third season, the first two episodes were released in theaters on Nov. 18, 2022, and was the third highest-grossing film during its opening weekend.

The actor who has touched the lives of millions around the world will now be joining a lineup of speakers at this year’s annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.

This year’s theme is “Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America,” which emphasizes the need to continue to work toward legislation, both at the federal level and the state level, that will protect the most vulnerable among us, the unborn.

As we prepare to hear Roumie’s pro-life testimony, let’s get to know him a little better — including the fact that he portrayed Jesus in a different project before taking up the role in “The Chosen” — and learn more about his upcoming movie. You might be surprised to see what he has in store.

He was baptized Greek Orthodox.

Born in New York City, Roumie was baptized Greek Orthodox. After his family moved from the city to the suburbs of Long Island, his family struggled to find a Greek Orthodox church. His father, who was born and raised in Egypt, attended Catholic school there and was familiar with the Catholic faith. His mother is a Roman Catholic from Ireland. Therefore, when they could no longer find a Greek Orthodox church to attend, the family felt it natural to attend the local Catholic Church down the street. It was there that Roumie made his first Communion and Confirmation as a Catholic.

He had a powerful conversion four and a half years ago.

While Roumie has grown up Catholic, he has spoken openly about the deeper conversion he experienced. He explains that four and a half years ago he began to grow in his faith. Roumie had been an active member at his parish and participated in several ministries such as being a sponsor in RCIA, a eucharistic minister, and lector, but admits that he was not letting God take part in his career. It wasn’t until he was brought to the brink of poverty that he finally let God take complete control of his life.

Roumie shares that he woke up one day in May 2018 and was overdrawn on his bank account, had $20 in his wallet, had enough food for the day, had rent and bills arriving, and had not worked in three weeks. He got on his knees in front of his crucifix and poured his heart out to God. Roumie expresses that he felt an overwhelming sense of peace that everything was going to be OK. Later that day he received four checks in the mail. It was then that he truly surrendered his career to God.