Zach Roerig

Zach Roerig
Roerig in 2023
Born
Zachary George Roerig

(1985-02-22) February 22, 1985 (age 39)
Montpelier, Ohio, US
OccupationActor
Years active2004–present
Children1

Zachary George Roerig (/rɔːrɪɡ/; born February 22, 1985)[1] is an American actor. He is known for playing Casey Hughes in As the World Turns (2005-2007), Hunter Atwood in One Life to Live (2007) and as Matt Donovan in The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017).

Early life

Roerig was born in Montpelier, Ohio, to Andrea and Daniel Roerig. He has a younger sister who was born in 1989. Roerig attended the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Cleveland[2] and went on to participate in the International Modeling and Talent Association where he signed with his late talent manager. He graduated from Montpelier High School where he was both a football player and a wrestler. While he was growing up, Roerig worked for his father and grandfather at Fackler Monuments making gravestones. Shortly after graduating high school, Roerig moved to New York City to pursue his acting career.[3]

Career

Roerig played the role of Casey Hughes on As the World Turns from January 18, 2005, to May 2, 2007. Casey was the son of legacy couple Tom and Margo Hughes and, during his time, Casey was part of a popular couple with Alexandra Chando. After his departure, Roerig accepted a role on the soap One Life to Live, as Hunter Atwood.[4] He departed again later that year. Roerig then made a few appearances on Friday Night Lights as Cash the cowboy.

Roerig at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con

In March 2009, Roerig was cast as Matt Donovan in The CW fantasy supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries, an adaptation of L. J. Smith's novel series of the same name.[5][6] He was in the show for eight seasons until it ended in 2017.[7] He has also made guest appearances on its spin-offs The Originals and Legacies.[8][9]

In 2017, Roerig appeared as Pulse (Augustus) in the first season of Fox superhero series The Gifted, a television spin off of the X-Men feature film series.[10] In that same year, he co-starred in the third installment of horror film series The Ring and in the comedy drama The Year of Spectacular Men.[11] Roerig was cast as Ray Mott, a younger version of the character played by Ed Harris in the Vietnam War drama film The Last Full Measure, released in January 2020.[12] He also starred in the USA Network drama pilot Dare Me, which was later picked up to series in 2019. The series is based on Megan Abbott's novel of the same name.[13][14]

In May 2023, it was announced that Roerig had joined the main cast of the upcoming Netflix series The Corps, a drama about a gay teenager who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps.[15][16]

Personal life

Roerig in 2011

Roerig has a daughter who was born in January 2011.[17]

In June 2013, Roerig filed legal papers in Georgia, seeking full custody of his daughter after her mother, Roerig's ex-girlfriend Alana Turner, was incarcerated in a federal prison.[18]

On May 24, 2020, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Montpelier, Ohio, and was arraigned on June 4 of the same year.[19][20]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Teenage Joe
2008 Assassination of a High School President Matt Mullen
Dear Me Adam
2014 Field of Lost Shoes Jack Stanard
2017 Rings Carter
The Year of Spectacular Men Mikey
2018 The Outer Wild Laird
2019 The Last Full Measure Young Ray Mott
2021 A Christmas to Savour James
2022 Bad Men Must Bleed

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Law & Order Rollerblade Messenger Episode: "All in the Family"
2005–2007 As the World Turns Casey Hughes Role held: January 18, 2005 – May 2, 2007
2006 Reba Man at wedding Episode: "Two Weddings and a Funeral"
Split Decision Grady Love Television film
2007 Guiding Light Alex Season 55, episode 154
One Life to Live Hunter Atwood 15 episodes
2008 The Prince Taft Television film
2008–2009 Friday Night Lights Cash 6 episodes
2009–2017 The Vampire Diaries Matt Donovan Main role
2016 The Originals Matt Donovan Episode: "Behind the Black Horizon"
2017 The Gifted Pulse/Gus 2 episodes
2018 Legacies Matt Donovan 2 episodes
2019 God Friended Me Aiden Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Thai Food Place"
2019–2020 Dare Me Sergeant Will Mosley Main role
2022 Step Up: High Water

References

  1. ^ Rose, Mike (February 22, 2024). "Famous birthdays list for February 22, 2024 includes celebrities Jeri Ryan, Thomas Jane". cleveland.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "Barbizon Modeling and Acting - Zach Roerig". Barbizon Modeling. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "Ohio native stars in 'Vampire Diaries' and other shows".
  4. ^ "Zach Roerig (Casey) Moving to OLTL on ABC". Soaps.com. United States: SheKnows Media. May 9, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "Exclusive Q&A with The Vampire Diaries's Zach Roerig". Teen Vogue. February 25, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  6. ^ Ng, Philiana (February 9, 2012). "'Vampire Diaries' Actor Zach Roerig: 'Matt Is a Nice Piece of Humble Pie for Mystic Falls'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "'Vampire Diaries' Star Reflects On His Favorite Matt Moments And The 'Special' Series Finale". MTV. Retrieved October 20, 2023.[dead link‍]
  8. ^ Highfill, Samantha. "Exclusive 'Legacies' first look: Matt Donovan is back and 'going a bit insane'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  9. ^ "Matt Donovan From 'The Vampire Diaries' Returns In 'Legacies'". CBS NEWS. September 20, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Outlaw, Kofi (March 10, 2017). "X-Men TV Series 'Gifted' Official Title Revealed". Comicbook.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  11. ^ Lee, Ashley (January 17, 2018). "Lea Thompson's Directorial Debut Year of Spectacular Men Goes to MarVista". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  12. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 1, 2017). "Jeremy Irvine, 'Vampire Diaries' Actor Zach Roerig & More Set For 'The Last Full Measure'". Deadline. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  13. ^ Petski, Denise (August 14, 2018). "'Dare Me': Rob Heaps, Zach Roerig & Paul Fitzgerald Among Eight Cast In USA Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  14. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 28, 2019). "USA Network Orders Drama Based on High School Cheerleading Novel 'Dare Me'". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 1, 2023). "Netflix Orders Gay Marine Dramedy Inspired by Greg Cope White Memoir, Norman Lear to Produce". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Porter, Rick (May 1, 2023). "Gay U.S. Marine Drama From Norman Lear a Go at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "'Vampire Diaries' Star: I Have a Kid! & My Baby Mama's In Jail". TMZ. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  18. ^ Ravitz, Justin (July 8, 2013). "Zach Roerig Fighting With Convict Ex-Girlfriend Over Secret Daughter, 2". US Weekly. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  19. ^ Silver, Carly (May 29, 2020). "ATWT Alum Zach Roerig Arrested for DUI". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Vampire Diaries Star Zach Roerig Arrested, Charged with DUI". People. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
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