Afrim Gjonbalaj

Afrim Gjonbalaj is an Actor, Martial Artist and Stunt Performer of Albanian descent. A native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, Afrim grew up obsessively watching Martial Arts films on VHS. His family was unable to afford formal Martial Arts training so he would copy the techniques and movements he saw in those films. At the age of 15 he began training in Shotokan Karate under Sensei Lou Debski. Afrim is currently a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Shihan Gene Dunn. Afrim received his B.A. in Theater with a concentration in Acting from Buffalo State College in 2006 as a member of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). He studied at The Labyrinth Theater Company Masterclass (2008) and also trained at The Canadian National Voice Intensive (2005 Vancouver & 2015 Toronto). Afrim is a member of SAG-AFTRA/AEA. Afrim has most recently been seen on Daredevil (2015), The Blacklist: Redemption (2017), Younger (2015) and on stage as Amir Kapoor in Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar at Road Less Traveled Productions in Buffalo, NY. Some reviews of Afrim's performance in Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar. "Afrim Gjonbalaj is perfect...", "Afrim Gjonbalaj brings great presence, intelligence and a world of conflicting emotions to Amir...", "...he grabs Akhtar's writing and pulls raw and powerful impact into every word."