Diego Klattenhoff

Canadian actor Diego Klattenhoff enjoyed a splashy debut as a handsome high schooler in "Mean Girls" (2004), then toiled steadily, if anonymously, for the better part of the decade before hitting his stride as an actor in 2013 with roles in major features like "Pacific Rim" and the thriller series "The Blacklist" (NBC, 2013- ). He began working in his early 20s, playing teenaged roles in various Canadian productions before making his Hollywood debut in "Mean Girls." Work in Stateside and Canadian shows, as well as the occasional feature, comprised the body of Klattenhoff's work for much of the 2000s before he landed the plum role of Damien Lewis's best friend - who happens to be sleeping with his wife - on "Homeland" (Showtime, 2011- ). The critically acclaimed series increased his profile and led to bigger projects, including "After Earth" (2013) and "The Blacklist," which pitted his FBI agent against a devious criminal, played by James Spader. The rapid succession of major projects served as an unmistakable indication that Diego Klattenhoff's star was on the rise.

Born in 1979 in Nova Scotia's French River community, Diego Klattenhoff initially planned to play professional baseball. But after moving to Toronto at the age of 19, he shifted his interests to acting. Klattenhoff made his screen debut in 2001 with an appearance on the PAX drama series "Doc" (2001-04), which was shot in Toronto. Bit and supporting roles on other Canadian-made American TV product predated his first feature film role as the dense but desirable Shane Oman in the hit comedy "Mean Girls." Klattenhoff worked steadily for the next decade, largely in unremarkable features like "Lucky Number Slevin" (2006) and as a guest performer on countless episodic series. He also tackled recurring roles on several programs, including "Whistler" (CTV, 2006-08) and as a Croatian hockey player on "Men in Trees" (ABC, 2006-08). The following year, he was cast as a soldier escorting disgraced defense consultant Jonas Hodges (Jon Voight) on "24" (Fox, 2001-2010), which marked his first collaboration with producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa. In 2011, Klattenhoff was cast in the pair's drama series "Homeland" (Showtime, 2011- ) as Marine Captain Mike Faber. He shared a 2013 Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series with his cast mates while also enjoying his most high profile year to date. Klattenhoff enjoyed substantial roles in two major summer theatrical releases - the Will Smith science fiction thriller "After Earth" and Guillermo del Toro's monster epic "Pacific Rim" - before doubling up on his television output by taking a series regular role on the highly anticipated NBC series "The Blacklist." After joining the cast of "The Blacklist," Klattenhoff's character on "Homeland" was moved to recurring status.