GLI has obtained a yearbook photo confirming the actor’s Plainedge roots
Before “The Chosen,” Jonathan Roumie was a Long Island kid — closer to pizza parlors, bagel shops and roller rinks than film sets.
Greater Long Island has confirmed that the actor, best known for his portrayal of Jesus in the hit series, graduated from Plainedge High School in 1992.
About the show
“The Chosen” is a multi-season television drama based on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, told through the perspective of those who knew him.
The series, created by Dallas Jenkins, has grown into a global hit, drawing millions of viewers through its app and various streaming platforms.
Unlike traditional studio-backed productions, “The Chosen” was initially funded through a record-setting crowdfunding campaign, helping it stand out as one of the most successful fan-supported television projects ever produced.
In a 2024 BBC article, “The Chosen” was described as a hit “taking the US by storm,” underscoring how the crowdfunded series has broken out of the faith-based lane and into the broader mainstream. The show has credited its free-to-watch app and fan-supported model with helping fuel that growth.
And Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus has been widely credited with helping drive the show’s popularity, offering a more grounded and humanizing take on the role.
Back to Long Island
Though Roumie has been linked to Massapequa in past profiles, his Long Island roots haven’t been widely spotlighted — something Greater Long Island was able to change by confirming his 1992 graduation from Plainedge High School. (Attempts to reach Roumie for this article were not successful.)
The local connection wasn’t immediately obvious, but a deep dive paid off.
While researching Roumie’s background, Greater Long Island uncovered a 1992 Newsday mention listing him in a news brief about Plainedge students recognized in a statewide art exhibit. That brief clipping helped point the way.
Fom there, access to a Plainedge High School yearbook ultimately confirmed his graduation.
Top: Jonathan Roumie attends the premiere of “Solo Mio” at Regal Times Square on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in New York. (Photo by CJ Rivera/Invision/AP) Inset: Jonathan Roumie’s senior portrait in the 1992 Plainedge High School yearbook.
The senior portrait
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