Bryan Batt

Actor / Author

Bryan Batt is a native New Orleanian, actor, designer, fundraiser, and civic activist who has won 2 Screen Actor’s Guild awards for his portrayal of “Salvatore Romano” on AMC’s critically acclaimed, Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody award winning dramatic series, "Mad Men."



Theatrically, Bryan is most proud to have created the role of Darius in both the N.Y. and L.A productions, as well as the film adaptation, of Paul Rudnick’s ground braking comedy "Jeffrey." Bryan has held Broadway leading roles in productions such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Cats," "Sunset Blvd." and many more.



In the wake of Katrina, Bryan organized, hosted and/or performed in numerous events and fund raisers both in New York and in New Orleans benefiting Habitat For Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank, NO-AIDS Task Force, The Contemporary Arts Center, LA-SPCA, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, The Preservation Rescore Center, New Orleans Museum of Art, Friends of City Park, and more.



In 2003, Bryan and his partner, Tom Cianfichi, opened Hazelnut, a fine gift and home accessories shop (Featured in the NY Times, Town & Country, House Beautiful, In Style, Traditional Home, Elle Decor and more). Through the sales of his signature “New Orleans Toile” and “Pontchartrain Beach designs”, Hazelnut has been able to generously contribute to local charities.



Honors include 2007 HRC Equality award, OUT Magazine’s Artist of the Year 2007, N.O.Aids Task Force Humanitas award, Big Easy 2008 “Entertainer of the Year”, Backstage Magazine’s Bistro award for best vocalist 2008, the Isidore Newman School Distinguished Alumnus Award 2008-2009, and the 2013 New Orleans Arts Council Community Award.



In addition, Bryan starred in the films "12 Years a Slave," "Parkland" and "The Last of Robin Hood." Most recently, he was seen in MTV's new horror/mystery series, "Scream," Netflix’s “Tales of the City’ and the hit NBC show “The Blacklist”.

On September 28, 2014, Batt married his long-time partner Tom Cianfichi, an event planner. In 2010, Batt published a memoir about his mother entitled “She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother.” She died in December 2010. In 2011, he published a second book, “Big, Easy, Style,” which focuses on interior design and home furnishings.