Joseph Manganiello was born on December 28, 1976, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the suburb of Mt. Lebanon, where he excelled in multiple sports but ultimately chose to pursue acting. He attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied acting before relocating to Los Angeles. His early career included a string of guest roles before landing his breakthrough role in 2010 on HBO’s True Blood. 

From there, Manganiello’s career expanded significantly. He became an international star through the Magic Mike film franchise and appeared as Deathstroke in the DC Extended Universe. He also directed and produced the 2014 documentary La Bare. In 2017, he narrated Pittsburgh Is Home: The Story of the Penguins, earning a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for his work.

Joe Manganiello debuted as host and executive producer of NBC’s Deal or No Deal Island in February 2024. The show,  a tropical survival-competition spin-off of the classic game show Deal or No Deal,  ran for two seasons. He also co-produces alongside original Deal or No Deal host Howie Mandel. Beyond television, Manganiello runs the gaming-inspired streetwear company Death Saves and serves on the board of trustees for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.