
2012 may have brought Chris Messina to the small screen, but it was 2013 that really gave him the spotlight. I’ve loved the character of Danny on The Mindy Project from day one, but what Chris has done over the past year to develop and grow the character has turned this grumpy tough guy in to one of comedies most endearing curmudgeons. His chemistry with costar Mindy Kaling is undeniable and what repeatedly puts him on watch. Regardless if they’re fighting, flirting or just being friends, these two kill it whenever they’re in a room together. That being said, Chris is definitely not riding Mindy’s coattails…he’s earned an All-Star title all on his own and here are a few reasons why.
One look is literally worth a thousand words with this guy. I will never forget the change in Danny’s expression when he was hugging Mindy in an attempt to convince an ex that he and Mindy were engaged. It started awkward and clearly uncomfortable but as she settled in to the groove of his embrace, the look on his face goes from one of near pain to the most genuine and endearing look of complete and utter contentment. In my weekly Comedy Corner, I called Chris Messina a “god” for this. It was a performance worthy of a master class and one that I often see actors have a difficult time executing. But it wasn’t just the hug, we also saw his look go from domestic bliss to disappointment and heartbreak when Mindy admitted her crush on Cliff and again when he spotted her kissing Cliff. The man may not wear his heart on his sleeve, but he definitely wears his emotions on his face.

He’s a tough guy with a marshmallow center. While he comes across as a gruff New Yorker in most situations, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a big teddy bear inside. And Chris repeatedly does a stellar job of making Danny both tough and soft. Aside from his clearly conflicted feelings with Mindy, we’ve seen Danny embrace his little brother, breakdown over his ex-wife and unintentionally expose himself for the sake of art. There is no doubt that he has an exterior of steel, but like the Tin Man, he also has a big heart and its quite possible that he is filled with goo.
For proof, look no further than the Christmas episode where Danny comes up with the perfect gift for Mindy. No, it’s not jewelry or a purse or an autograph from Beyoncé, it’s a re-enactment of the dance Aaliyah does in her “Try Again” music video. And why, you may wonder? Because it was the song Mindy kept listening to over and over when they first met….and while he claims it drove him crazy, the fact that he even remembers generates a collective awww from girls everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, Mindy would’ve loved the jewelry and been over the moon for Beyoncé, but the thoughtfulness of this gift rivaled any price tag.
Speaking of, I can’t continue without  mentioning that the man can dance! And I don’t mean just shuffling his feet or keeping time to a beat, he can MOVE! Chris Messina has some serious skills…dare I say, he even gave Aaliyah a run for her money. Granted, we’ve seen him hit the dance floor in the past, but this…well, this was something else. And he did not miss a beat. Every move was precise, every look was perfectly timed and every ounce of Danny oozed confidence. It was not just good, it was darn near perfect.
Lastly, I have to mention Chris Messina in the triathlon episode. He swims, he bikes, he runs, he wears pink tennis shoes and he even strips down to his speedo for the sake of the story. The determination that Chris infuses in to Danny in this episode is undeniable and regardless of how absolutely ridiculous he looks (and let me tell you, he does look ridiculous), you can’t help but cheer for Danny as he stumbles his way to the finish line. Now I know most of you will say “he’s acting” or “it’s a character” but not all actors are willing to make themselves look like fools for the sake of the story and I love that Chris, while seemingly straight-laced, doesn’t take himself too seriously.
But it isn’t just Chris’ Mindy Project performance that made him a 2013 All Star. This impressive actor also had a recurring role on HBO’s hit The Newsroom and is currently developing a yet untitled film, in which he will both star and direct. As far as we’re concerned, the more Chris, the better. So to 2014, we say bring it on!
Related posts
Classics
George R. Olson, Tim Rozon, and Sarah Levy Talk the SurrealEstate S2 Finale
[Spoilers for the SurrealEstate Season 2 finale.] How’s everyone doing after the finale? As we close out the second season of SurrealEstate, some of our merry band of misfits are scattering to the winds–Zooey to law school, Phil to the Vatican, and Augie back to his think tank with Rochelle,…
Previewing SurrealEstate Season 2 Finale + Revisiting the Season with George R. Olson
[Warning; General spoilers ahead.] Strap in, SurrealEstate fam, because we’ve arrived at the Season 2 finale, and it’s a doozy. As we saw in the closing moments of last week’s episode, Susan is back. But because we have one more episode left, it’s not as simple as all that, as…
Tyler Hynes Talks Through His Eight-Film Hallmark Holiday Library
Things you realize when you have to re-record your shows on a new DVR – just how many Hallmark movies your people have done. Fan favorite – and one of ours – Tyler Hynes has done eight Christmas movies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since 2018. Alongside…
Spencer Creaghan Talks About Creating SurrealEstate’s Signature Sound
SurrealEstate is winding down its second season, with two episodes left, and just as in Season 1, Spencer Creaghan’s music continues to be a character unto itself. And every week, he shares tidbits with the fans via his s social media channels, something he started to help give them an…
Andrew Walker Talks Christmas Island and the Magical Hallmark Community
[Warning: Spoilers for Christmas Island.] Now that the Screen Actors Guild strike has been resolved, we’re able to resume regularly scheduled programming and interview our favorites and yours. Up first, earlier today, I spoke with Andrew Walker about Christmas Island, which premiered last weekend and encores tonight and through the…
George Olson and Danishka Esterhazy Talk SurrealEstate “I Put a Spell on You”
[Warning: Spoilers for the episode.] Tonight’s fun new SurrealEstate found Luke caught up in an especially bewitching woman, Kay, played by Tara Yelland, Susan trapped in her house, and Zooey learning the ropes. In the next part of my conversation with showrunner George R. Olson and producing director Danishka Esterhazy,…
Danishka Esterhazy Talks SurrealEstate: “The Butler Didn’t”
[Warning: General spoilers for the episode]. Tonight’s new SurrealEstate, “The Butler Didn’t,” follows the team as they investigate the years-earlier mysterious death of a woman whose ghost now reenacts her hanging by dropping over the banister from the second floor to terrify anyone on the landing or at the bottom…
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…