Jake Borelli

Jake Borelli is an American actor and director recognized for his work in television and film, particularly in LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy. Borelli began his acting career with the Columbus Children's Theater at age 10, performing in more than 15 plays over five years. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time, Borelli secured supporting roles in television series including "iCarly," "Parenthood," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "True Jackson, VP," "Greek," and "Suburgatory."

A notable opportunity emerged with his recurring role as Wolfgang, the leader of a biker gang, in the Nickelodeon sitcom "The Thundermans." Borelli also appeared in the Netflix comedy drama film "#RealityHigh."

Borelli's breakthrough came with his role as Dr. Levi Schmitt on "Grey's Anatomy." Introduced as an intern at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Schmitt became the first openly gay male series regular on the long-running series, contributing to LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream television. Borelli's portrayal included the show's first major gay male romance and the first kiss between two male doctors. Around the same time his character came out on the show, Borelli publicly came out, aligning his personal journey with his on-screen role.

Beyond "Grey's Anatomy," Borelli expanded his on-screen presence with projects such as Freeform's "The Thing About Harry," the network's first gay romantic comedy. In the film, he played Sam, a young man starting his political career in Chicago. Borelli also appeared in "Grey's Anatomy: B-Team" and multiple seasons of "Station 19."

Borelli has broadened his creative work behind the camera, making his television directorial debut on the "Grey's Anatomy" episode "Feel it Still" on ABC. He also directed the short film "Ignis" and shadowed director and executive producer Debbie Allen for several years in preparation for his directorial work. Borelli has spoken about the importance of queer storytelling and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and mental health awareness, working with organizations such as The Trevor Project and GLAAD. His career encompasses acting, directing, and advocacy, establishing Borelli as a multifaceted contributor to the entertainment industry.