John Matthew Atkinson (born December 27, 1988)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Austin Travers on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless (2014 to 2015) and Thomas Forrester on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (2019 to 2024). He was also a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design (2012).
Early life
Atkinson was born in Marietta, Georgia. He has one sibling, an older brother. His father was a salesman and the family moved frequently because of his work. They lived in Alabama and Mississippi before returning to Georgia and settling in Kennesaw.[2][3] While growing up, he was a skateboarder and he played baseball. He became involved in theater while he was in high school.[4] After graduation, he moved to Atlanta to take college courses. He eventually decided to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting.[3] Atkinson is of Native American and Irish descent.[5]
In 2012, Atkinson guest starred on the web series Fletcher Drive.[9] He joined the cast of Hot Mess, a pilot for MTV that wasn't picked up.[10] He became a regular cast member on the ABC Family series Jane by Design, playing Nick Fadden.[11] After the cancellation of Jane by Design, Atkinson had a recurring role as Zach on Parenthood, playing the role from 2013 to 2015.[12][13] He guest starred on Newsreaders in 2014.[3]
Atkinson was cast as Austin Travers on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless in March 2014. The role was initially recurring, but he was soon put on contract. His first airdate was April 17, 2014.[14][15] The character was killed off in February 2015, but Atkinson continued to appear in flashbacks, last airing August 13, 2015.[16] He guest starred on The Middle and Young & Hungry in 2015.[7][8] He appeared in the short films Happily Ever After and All In.[3]
Atkinson plays both acoustic and electric guitar. He has also played the saxophone, piano, xylophone, and drums, but mostly considers himself to be a guitarist.[2]
He has run marathons in Chicago, Big Sur, and Atlanta.[5]
Atkinson met actress Brytnee Ratledge at the gym and they later reconnected on social media. They were married in Lake Tahoe on November 8, 2023.[23] In July 2024, they announced that they are expecting their first child.[24]
