Austin Nichols
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Austin Nichols (born April 24, 1980) is an American actor and director, known for his role as Julian Baker in The CW drama series One Tree Hill. He is also known for his roles in the films The Day After Tomorrow and Wimbledon. He starred as John Monad in the HBO drama series John from Cincinnati, and portrayed Spencer Monroe in the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead.
Early life
Nichols was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and moved to Austin, Texas before his first birthday.[1] He was named after the Austin Nichols distilling company, producers of Wild Turkey bourbon.[2] His father, David Nichols, is a radiologist, and his mother, Kay (née Vermeulen), was a professional trick water skier.[3] Kay was a national champion ten times and an international champion once.[when?][4] He has one older sister, Ashley.[4] Nichols was raised near Lake Austin and attended Casis Elementary School.[1] Nichols began competitive water skiing from the age of two.[5] He represented the United States junior water ski team in the Pan-American Championships in 1997, and was also on the United States junior Olympic water skiing team.[when?][6] At age thirteen, he was ranked third in the world.[7] Nichols had intended to become a professional water skier until he injured his shoulder in Florida, and was forced to give up the sport.[2] While at McCallum High School in Austin,[1] he played basketball but was "absolutely awful".[8] Nichols' interest in acting was sparked when he was fifteen and began to take acting lessons.[9] He moved to Los Angeles after high school.[2]
Career
Beginnings
His acting career began when he gate-crashed a party at the Sundance Film Festival and was signed by a manager.[<span title="Script error: No such module "decodeEncode".">clarification needed][10] Nichols initially wished to attend the University of Texas, but moved to Los Angeles after his signing and enrolled at the University of Southern California, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.[8] Although Nichols had guest appearances in Sliders, Odd Man Out, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Family Law, Watching Ellie, and Wolf Lake before his graduation, his big break came in 2002 when he appeared as Brenda Chenowith's lover in two episodes of Six Feet Under.[10] He had previously appeared in two films, Durango Kids in 1999 and Holiday in the Sun in 2001.
In his first critically successful film role, Nichols starred as a stereotypical "frat boy" in The Utopian Society, a 2003 independent film directed by John P. Aguirre, which won several awards and some critical acclaim.[11] One critic wrote that Nichols "transforms himself from a cardboard jock and frat boy caricature to a likeable vulnerable human being with surprising sensibilities."[12] Aguirre commended Nichols as a "stellar talent" able to play his character "with total abandon to self ego."[citation needed]
Commercial and critical success
In 2004, Nichols was cast as J.D., an intelligent rich kid and romantic rival to Jake Gyllenhaal's main character in the environmental blockbuster, The Day After Tomorrow. The film received negative reviews but was a box office success.[13][14] Also in 2004, he appeared in Wimbledon, opposite Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany. The film was well received by critics, though it was only a mild success at the U.S. box office.[15][16] Nichols' acting as Jake Hammond, an arrogant tennis pro, was described as "effectively unlikeable".[17] For the role, Nichols had to learn tennis from scratch; he was trained to look professional by Pat Cash, who was taken aback by Nichols' skill. Cash observed, "It's absolutely as good as anybody's on the circuit. I swear to God. He hits it like a bullet. He's our star pupil."[18] By the end of their training, Nichols and Bettany were able to have rallies and play points, although some of their more intricate exchanges were computer generated.[19]
After this success, Nichols then had a minor role in an obscure and panned 2005 film, Thanks to Gravity.[20] Nichols followed this with short guest spots on episodes of Pasadena and Surface, before being cast in a successful 2006 film, Glory Road.[citation needed] Glory Road, directed by James Gartner and starring Josh Lucas, is a film based on the true story of the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, in which Coach Don Haskins led a team with an all-black starting lineup, a first in NCAA history. Nichols played one of the few white players on the team; he trained heavily for the role and had to master basketball as it was played in the 1960s, saying "I'd never been so sore in my life."[6] The film made $42.9 million at the box office and received mixed reviews.[21]
The House of Usher and beyond
Nichols' next film was the 2006 thriller The House of Usher, directed by Hayley Cloake, and based on the story by Edgar Allan Poe. He played the disturbed Roderick Usher, who was described by Nichols as a "twisted, terminally ill, fucked-up guy".[2] The House of Usher was released in September 2007. Nichols also portrayed Neal Cassady, with Will Estes as Jack Kerouac, in the short film Luz del mundo.[citation needed]
In April 2006, Nichols guest starred in Deadwood, an HBO Western series. Shortly afterward, Nichols signed a holding deal with HBO.[22] In August of that year, Nichols was cast as the lead in a new series, John From Cincinnati, a surfing drama created by David Milch, who also produced Deadwood. The series began airing in June 2007, but was cancelled after one season due to poor ratings and mixed critical reviews. Nichols played John Monad, a stranger who suddenly appears in a quiet surfing town. Nichols took up surfing and practiced every day for three months for this role.[23]
In 2007, Nichols appeared in a few episodes of the NBC drama series Friday Night Lights, before being cast as Julian Baker in The CW's teen drama One Tree Hill. He was upgraded to series regular for the seventh season.[24] He directed two episodes of the series including the seventh episode of the ninth and last season.[25] In 2013, Austin landed the role of Tommy Wheeler in the Showtime series Ray Donovan. Nichols then had a recurring role as Spencer Monroe in AMC's horror series The Walking Dead, before being promoted to a series regular.[26] He will recur as Sam Loomis in the fifth and final season of A&E's drama-thriller series Bates Motel.[27]
In 2024, Nichols starred in the Lifetime film Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story as Rodney Metzer.[28]
Personal life
Alongside his acting career, Nichols maintains a strong interest in cinema. He keeps a log of every film he sees. He said "I take it to the movies and write down who does the music, edits, directs, and how long the film is."[29] Claire Oswalt, an ex-girlfriend, said in a 2003 interview that Nichols watches an average of 20 movies a week.[30] He especially admires Hal Ashby, Sam Fuller, and John Ford.[31]
He was previously in an on and off relationship with One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush from 2006 to 2012 and took the role of Julian Baker in the series to be closer to her.[32] He also dated the actress Chloe Bennet from 2013 to 2017 after meeting on the set of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. where he played her ex-boyfriend, Miles.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Durango Kids | Sammy | ||
| 2001 | Holiday in the Sun | Griffen Grayson | Direct-to-video | |
| 2003 | The Utopian Society | Justin Mathers | ||
| 2004 | The Day After Tomorrow | J.D. | ||
| Wimbledon | Jake Hammond | |||
| 2005 | Thanks to Gravity | Alex Ford | ||
| 2006 | Glory Road | Jerry Armstrong | ||
| Lenexa, 1 Mile | Shane Bolin | |||
| The House of Usher | Roderick Usher | |||
| Love & Debate | Alex | |||
| 2007 | Luz del mundo | Neal Cassady | Short film | |
| 2008 | The Informers | Martin | ||
| 2009 | The True-Love Tale of Boyfriend & Girlfriend | Girlfriend | Short film | |
| 2010 | Beautiful Boy | Cooper Stearns | ||
| Unthinkable | Bomb Disposal Expert | |||
| 2012 | LOL | Mr. Ross | ||
| 2013 | Parkland | Emory Roberts | ||
| We Can’t Help You | Boss | Short film | ||
| 2014 | Stroker | Stroker | Short film; also director | |
| 2015 | Nostradamus | Harry Fisher | Short film; also executive producer | |
| 2016 | Lawless Range | Tommy Donnelly | ||
| 2018 | The Iron Orchard | Dent Paxton | ||
| 2021 | Masquerade | Daniel | ||
| 2022 | Match | Ian | ||
| 2024 | The Six Triple Eight | Collins | ||
| 2025 | I Know What You Did Last Summer | Pastor Judah | ||
| The Long Shot | director |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sliders | Seth | Episode: "The Great Work" | |
| Odd Man Out | Lyle | Episode: "Punch Line" | ||
| 2001 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Adam Walkey | Episode: "Sounds of Silence" | |
| Family Law | James Perliss | Episode: "Sacrifices" | ||
| Pasadena | Charlie Darwell | Recurring role; 4 episodes | ||
| Watching Ellie | Joe | Episode: "Junk" | ||
| 2002 | Wolf Lake | Scott Nichols | Episode: "If These Wolves Could Talk" | |
| Six Feet Under | Kyle / Tall Stoner | Guest role; 2 episodes | ||
| 2003 | She Spies | Fake College Guy | Episode: "Learning to Fly" | |
| 2005 | Quarterlife | Charlie | Television film | |
| Surface | Jackson Holden | Recurring role; 4 episodes | ||
| 2006 | CSI: Miami | Patrick Wilder | Episode: "Fade Out" | |
| Deadwood | Morgan Earp | Guest role; 2 episodes | ||
| 2007 | John from Cincinnati | John Monad | Main role; 10 episodes | |
| Friday Night Lights | Noah Barnett | Recurring role; 2 episodes | ||
| 2008–2012 | One Tree Hill | Julian Baker | Recurring role (season 6), Main role (seasons 7-9); 71 episodes | |
| 2009 | Prayers for Bobby | Ed Griffith | Television film | |
| 2011 | Five | Edward | Television film | |
| 2013 | The Mob Doctor | Luke Harris | Guest role; 3 episodes | |
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Miles Lydon | Episode: "Girl in the Flower Dress" | ||
| 2013–2016, 2019 | Ray Donovan | Tommy Wheeler | Recurring role (seasons 1-2), Guest role (seasons 3-4, 7); 9 episodes | |
| 2014 | The Temp Agency | The Temp | Television mini-series; also executive producer | |
| 2015–2016 | The Walking Dead | Spencer Monroe | Recurring role (season 5), Main role (seasons 6-7); 15 episodes | |
| 2017 | Bates Motel | Sam Loomis | Recurring role; 6 episodes | |
| 2019 | The Village | Ethan | Guest role; 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | This Close | Shep | Recurring role; 3 episodes | |
| 2021 | Walker | Clint West | Recurring role; 8 episodes | |
| 2022 | Minx | Billy Brunson | Guest role; 3 episodes | |
| 2024 | Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story | Rodney Metzer | Television film | |
| 2026 | Virgin River | Dr Eli Kelly | Guest role (season 7); 2 episodes |
References
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- ^ a b c Holloway, Diane (June 16, 2007) 'John from Cincinnati' role shows off skiing champ's acting prowess[permanent dead link], The Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Davis, Peter, (April 4, 2006) "Beautiful People 2006: Austin Nichols" Script error: No such module "webarchive"., Papermag. Retrieved on April 7, 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kay Vermeulen Nichols 1951-2015". Archived from the original on 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
- ^ a b Leblanc, Pam, (August 14, 2006) No one-trick skier Script error: No such module "webarchive"., Statesman.com. Retrieved October 16, 2006.
- ^ Ingrassia, Lisa (June 11, 2007), Q&A:Austin Nichols, People Magazine p.30
- ^ a b Johnson, Noah, (February 2006), Austin's power, Men's Fitness. Retrieved October 16, 2006.
- ^ Rainey, Candice (October 4, 2003) "Man of the Moment - Austin Nichols, Actor", GQ. Retrieved October 30, 2006. Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ^ a b Berkshire, Geoff, "Bound for Glory" Hollywood Life, Jan./Feb. 2006, pg. 24
- ^ Buddytv.com (July 1, 2007), Exclusive Interview: Austin Nichols, of 'John from Cincinnati' Script error: No such module "webarchive".. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Haight, Sarah (September 2004). "Up Next: Grand Slam". Vogue. Vol. 194, no. 9. p. 600.
- ^ Recent press. Script error: No such module "webarchive". The Utopian Society. Retrieved August 3, 2007. Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ^ Nesbit, John, (July 9, 2003) Utopian Society, The Script error: No such module "webarchive"., toxicuniverse.com. Retrieved October 30, 2006.
- ^ Swietek, Frank. Script error: No such module "webarchive". Day After Tomorrow, The. Script error: No such module "webarchive". oneguysopinion.com. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Day After Tomorrow". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
- ^ 61% rating at Rotten Tomatoes Script error: No such module "webarchive".. Retrieved October 30, 2006
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Wimbledon". Box Office Mojo, LLC. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ Anderson, Matt, Review of Wimbledon, Moviehabit.com. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Osborn, Richard (October 2004). "Centre Court Becomes Centre Stage". Inside Tennis. Archived from the original on 2007-05-19. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Q&A: Pat Cash". BBC. October 11, 2004. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ Miller, Scott (June 13, 1006). Thanks to Gravity. Script error: No such module "webarchive". filmthreat.com. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes data Script error: No such module "webarchive". gives critics and positive rating of 58%. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2006). "Actor Nichols Nabs Rare Holding Deal with HBO". Backstage. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Knutzen, Eirek (August 17, 2007). "TV Close-Up: Austin Nichols". BendWeekly.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Dos Santos, Kristin (June 29, 2009). "Spoiler Chat: Will Brooke and Julian Make It on One Tree Hill?". E! Online. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.MacKenzie, Carina Adly (February 22, 2012). "'One Tree Hill': Austin Nichols takes to the director's chair, reflects on final week of filming". Zap2it. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Walking Dead: Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, and Austin Nichols Q&A". ScreamHorrorMag.com. October 1, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Petski, Denise (January 9, 2017). "'Bates Motel': 'The Walking Dead's Austin Nichols To Recur on Season 5". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lowe, Lindsay (June 9, 2024). "The true story behind the Lifetime movie 'Gaslit By My Husband', according to Morgan Metzer herself". Today. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Patty (2004),On the Set Script error: No such module "webarchive"., ym.com. Retrieved November 5, 2006.
- ^ Diagrammatics. The Morning News (December 8, 2003). Retrieved October 30, 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The characters". Wimbledon: The Movie. Universal Studios. 2004. Archived from the original (Flash) on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sophia Bush Splits With One Tree Hill Costar Austin Nichols". Us Weekly. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
External links
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