Jonathan Tucker: Biography

An actor and longtime ballet student whose plain but wholesome good looks find him frequently cast as the "boy next door" type, Jonathan Tucker has been performing gracefully on stage and screen for most of his life. Born in May of 1982 in Boston, MA, Tucker established his love for the stage early on when, in the third grade, he was cast in a Boston Ballet production of The Nutcracker. After receiving his primary education at Park School in nearby Brookline, Tucker relocated to the West Coast to receive further coaching at the Thatcher School in Ojai, CA. Though subsequently accepted for early admission at Columbia University, Tucker deferred in favor of actively pursuing a career as an actor. Following his film debut in the Terence Hill/Bud Spencer comedy Troublemakers (1994), Tucker's career began to flourish with more substantial roles in Two if by Sea and Sleepers (both 1996). On television, the up-and-comer appeared on The Practice before taking a starring role in the 1998 made-for-television feature Mr. Music. A role in The Virgin Suicides (1999) found his small-town looks again utilized to good effect, and after a dweebish turn in the coming-of-age comedy 100 Girls, Tucker essayed his most demanding role to date in The Deep End (2001). Tucker's role as a closeted gay son whose mother Tilda Swinton will go to any lengths to protect him from being pinned for murder won accolades for the dark thriller, and headlining roles in Ball in the House (2001) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) were quick to follow. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide