Justin Baldoni - Biography

Justin Louis Baldoni (born January 24, 1984) is an American actor. Baldoni has acted in films such as Wedding Daze and in the television series Everwood and Heroes.

Background

Baldoni was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Medford, Oregon; he is of half Italian and half Jewish ancestry but was raised in the Bahá'í Faith. Baldoni was a soccer and track star in high school, as well as a radio disc jockey at a local top 40 radio station. Unfortunately, his hopes of playing professional sports were foiled when he tore his hamstring his senior year. Even with his injury, Baldoni was offered a place on the Long Beach State track team his freshman year at California State University. However, he was not able to fully rehabilitate his hamstring in time, and Baldoni left Long Beach for Los Angeles. While moving into a new apartment building, Baldoni met a manager who advised him to pursue a career in acting.

In 2008, Baldoni wrote, produced, and directed a music video that was selected and showcased at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival.

He directed a short film entitled "The Walk to Fame" for Warner Brothers artist Jason Derulo and various music videos for Brendan James and most recently S-Curve artist Andy Grammer. He also directed Alyssa Shouses' music video called 'Overnight Celebrity'.

Personal life

Baldoni is extremely active and is a huge sports fan. He is an avid runner and when not filming on location he plays in a competitive soccer league in Los Angeles. After landing the role on Everwood, he moved from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the show was filmed. Off screen, Baldoni leads a quiet life and has declared in interviews that, as a member of the Baha'i faith, he does not drink, does not smoke nor take drugs and believes "waiting for marriage" shouldn't be considered old-fashioned.

Acting career

Baldoni's breakout role was in the television movie Spring Break Shark Attack, in which he starred as a sexual predator opposite Shannon Lucio (The O.C.). Other television credits include a lead role in the television movie Wedding Daze, opposite John Larroquette, and guest-starring roles on such television programs as JAG and The WB's Charmed. He also had recurring parts on the daytime drama The Young and the Restless and on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody as Diego. His largest role to date was on The WB series Everwood as Reid Bardem, a med student and love interest of Amy Abbott (Emily VanCamp).

Baldoni has appeared in several independent films including Yesterday's Dreams, A Long Walk Down, and The Helix...Loaded. He and fellow Everwood cast member Chris Pratt produced and acted in a short film which they shot while shooting Everwood in Salt Lake City. He will be starring in The Tribe and Knuckle Draggers (2009). He appeared in Season 3 of Heroes alongside Hayden Panettiere in the episodes "Building 26" and "Exposed" as Alex Woolsley. He also appeared in the second episode of Season 6 of ' as Damon Argento in the episode "Cyber-lebrity".

Baldoni debuted, in the week beginning January 18, 2010, in the soap opera the The Bold and the Beautiful. He played a photographer named Graham in 10 episodes of the series.

Filmography

Footnotes

External links

• Justin Baldoni Interview

Soap Opera Central