If you only know Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, the stoic Winter Soldier, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you're likely not alone. His turn as Steve Rogers' (Chris Evans) loyal best friend turned brainwashed assassin turned traumatized hero has elevated the actor to impressive heights and kept him busy for a decade. But if that's been your only exposure to Stan, you're missing out on a fascinating body of work that spans both film and television (plus the odd Instagram video or two) and has long been defined by the 39-year-old actor's ability to not just disappear into roles, but make even the most unsavory characters appealing.
Unlike some of his Marvel co-stars, Stan has never fit into a particular mold. His résumé includes everything from recurring roles on fan-favorite TV shows like "Gossip Girl" and "Once Upon a Time" (his turn as the Mad Hatter was devilishly good at times and happened before the fairy-tale drama went off the rails) to small parts in Best Picture contenders like "Black Swan" and "The Martian." His choices have always been interesting, but rarely have they been predictable.
