Stephen Wallem is a SAG Award-nominated actor best known as Thor Lundgren for seven seasons on the Emmy-winning Showtime series "Nurse Jackie". He worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on "Nurse Jackie." Other appearances include Randall on Louis CK's surprise mini-series "Horace and Pete" and Chad on "Difficult People."
He was recently seen as Horton the Elephant in "Seussical" and the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz" at The Muny in St.Louis, and made his professional opera debut in New York City Opera's "Anna Nicole". Stephen continues to appear in cabaret and theater in Manhattan including "A Burly Night Music" at Birdland, "Off the Wallem" at Don't Tell Mama, the Sondheim, "Unplugged" series at 54 Below and playing Hazel in the Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream" at New York City Center. His performance in "Bedroom Secrets" earned him the 2014 Fringe NYC Overall Excellence in Acting Award. He also teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret "The Other Steve and Edie" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Chicago Cabaret Professionals named Stephen their National Honoree for 2014. National tours include "Forever Plaid", "Into the Woods", and "Scrooge" starring Richard Chamberlain. Stephen has accrued nearly 2500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies of "Forever Plaid" including Chicago (Royal George Cabaret), Las Vegas, (Flamingo Hilton and Gold Coast Hotel), Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour. He portrayed Judas/Padre in Court Theatre's acclaimed production of "Man of La Mancha" (Joseph Jefferson Award, After Dark Award) and reprised his performance at Long Wharf Theatre. He became a staple at the Ravinia Festival, appearing with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris in "A Little Night Music", "Passion", and "Sunday in the Park with George".
Because of "Nurse Jackie" incorporating his own experiences as a Type 1 diabetic into Thor's story-line, Stephen was asked to serve as the celebrity ambassador for "Picture This: Diabetes", a national diabetes awareness campaign sponsored by Entertainment Industries Council and Novo Nordisk. On behalf of the campaign, Stephen has spoken in Chicago, Atlanta and on Capitol Hill as well as appearing in a national public service announcement. He also received the 2012 JDRF Angel Award with sister Linda. Stephen served as host of the Marriage Equality USA National Gala in 2013 and the Empire State Pride Agenda Gala in 2014. He was also a keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign gala in Philadelphia.
