James Wolk

Because of his ability to play both charming rogues and vulnerable underdogs, actor James Wolk emerged as a performer capable of playing leading man roles right from the start. Wolk first gained attention in the television movie "Front of the Class" (CBS, 2008) as a young man overcoming Tourette's Syndrome to become a gifted elementary school teacher. Hailed by critics for his performance, Wolk quickly moved on to become the star of a new television series, "Lone Star" (Fox, 2010), an edgy primetime soap in which he was a Texas con artist living a double life with two women.

Despite the appeal and marketing push, the show was canceled after just two episodes, temporarily leaving his career in doubt. But the same month that the network pulled the plug, Wolk was seen in the romantic comedy "You Again" (2010), though that film's failure at the box office did nothing to boost his career. Nonetheless, he had in a short period of time displayed his considerable skill in portraying both wholesome everymen and suave antiheroes, which led many to believe that Wolk would no doubt find Hollywood success.

Born on March 22, 1985 in Farmington Hills, MI, Wolk was raised by his father, Robert, a ladies' shoe store owner, and Edie, an art teacher. At North Farmington High School, Wolk played football, served as student body vice president, and won leads in theater productions of "Grease," "Footloose" and "Once Upon a Mattress." After graduating in 2003, he attended the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre and Dance and supported himself as an event deejay working parties, weddings, and bar mitzvahs.

After earning his diploma in 2007, he moved to New York City and continued to support himself as a deejay while taking acting classes. After performing in a number of plays and appearing in an episode of "As the World Turns" (CBS, 1956-2010), he moved to Los Angeles and began making further career strides. For the made-for-television movie "Front of the Class" (CBS, 2008), Wolk managed to nail the audition for one of his first big roles despite receiving the script the night before. Based on Brad Cohen's autobiography, he played the author as a younger student who learns how to live and eventually thrive with Tourette's Syndrome.

Shortly afterwards, Wolk landed the television pilot for "Solving Charlie" (ABC, 2009), a procedural in which he played a detective who solves murders with his genius 11-year-old brother (Dakota Goyo). Unfortunately, the show failed to be picked up. He next landed the lead in the hour-long drama "Lone Star" (Fox, 2010), which featured Wolk as con artist Bob Allen, who tries to quit his life of crime despite the objections of his con artist father (David Keith) and being married to two women (Adrianne Palicki and Eloise Mumford). Unfortunately, despite good reviews and a promising premise, the show opened with low ratings that slipped further in the second week, leaving the network no choice but to pull the plug, making it the first show canceled during that season.

The same month "Lone Star" folded, Wolk made his feature debut in "You Again" (2010), playing the older brother of a young woman (Kristen Bell) horrified that he is marrying the girl who bullied her in high school (Odette Yustman). Despite an all-star cast that included Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis and a resurgent Betty White, the rather boorish wedding comedy was pounded on by critics while opening to mediocre box office.

Wolk next appeared on the big screen in a supporting role in the low-budget sex farce "For A Good Time, Call..." (2012). This was followed by a guest arc on the cult favorite sitcom "Happy Endings" (ABC 2011-13) as Grant, the almost too-perfect boyfriend of neurotic Max (Adam Pally), and a key supporting role on the Washington, DC-set miniseries "Political Animals" (USA 2012) as Douglas Hammond, the son and Chief of Staff of Secretary of State Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver).

In 2013, Wolk joined the cast of the Emmy-winning drama "Mad Men" (AMC 2007-15) as Bob Benson, an ambitious but charming young man with a mysterious past.