Jason Biggs
About
Biography
Biography
Actor Jason Biggs displayed a solid comic timing and likable underdog presence with his 1999 breakthrough role in the teen summer comedy "American Pie" that led to comparisons with offbeat comic turned box office draw Adam Sandler, his short dark hair and vaguely startled expression making the likeness all the more apparent. Starting out as a child actor at age five, the New Jersey native appeared in the 1991 Seattle run and early Broadway previews of Herb Gardner's award-winning "Conversations With My Father" before scoring a regular role as difficult student Willie Trancus for a partial season of the Dabney Coleman vehicle "Drexell's Class" (Fox, 1991) at age 13. That same year he made his film debut with a small role in the psychodrama "The Boy Who Cried Bitch." In 1994, Biggs took on the role of troubled teen Pete Wendall on the CBS daytime drama "As the World Turns," his performance earning him a Daytime Emmy nomination. A recurring role on the short-lived "Total Security" (ABC, 1997) followed, but despite his healthy number of credits, the actor was still a virtual unknown when cast in "American Pie." Biggs would gain notice for his portrayal of one of four friends desperate to lose their virginity before graduation in the Weitz brothers' modern retread of a 1980s favorite, the teen sex comedy. His questionable treatment of dessert food inspired the cheeky title, with the memorable scene featured in a racy trailer that grabbed the attention of many a wily teenager, insuring a good bit of summer business. The film was a rousing box office success, and more surprisingly, the equal parts raunchy and heartfelt film was generally praised by critics. Biggs gave an impressive performance, realistically and humorously evincing adolescent awkwardness.
Biggs became recognizable to moviegoers due to his turn as Jim in "American Pie," but slimming down and taking on several other projects would keep him from getting stuck in the typecasting rut. The actor next hit the big screen as Hunter, a confident but goofy, sex-obsessed student in the college-set comedy "Boys and Girls" (2000) Co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Claire Forlani, the film didn't receive the business or acclaim that Biggs' previous outing had, but it was a minor hit with the target teen audience and helped the actor (here outfitted in trendy clothes and sporting ever-changing dyed hair) prove his versatility. Later that summer he could be seen with a starring turn in Amy Heckerling's "Loser," another college comedy featuring Biggs as Paul, a sheltered Midwesterner who arrives at New York University only to be saddled with the loser label by his nasty roommates. Paul finds companionship and sympathy in "American Pie" co-star Mena Suvari's Dora in this charming film that celebrated the underdog. That same year, Biggs lensed his first co-starring role in a drama feature, playing a love interest to Christina Ricci's Elizabeth Wurtzel in the long-delated "Prozac Nation," a film adaptation of the popular memoir about one young woman's struggle with chronic depression. On a lighter note, he would star alongside proven funnymen Steve Zahn and Jack Black in Dennis Dugan's dismal comedy "Saving Silverman" (also lensed in 2000), reportedly earning $1.75 million for his work.
Biggs reprised the character of Jim Levinstein for "American Pie 2" (2001), rejoining his castmates for a second, less fullfilling but equally successful helping of pastry, this time centered around Jim's relationship with freaky band camp girl Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and following a stint on Broadway opposite Alicia Silverstone and Kathleen Turner in a well-received stage production of the 1960s film classic "The Graduate," Biggs returned for a third and supposedly final outing as Jim in limp sequel "American Wedding" (2003), in which his character finally heads to the altar with his flute playing bride. Biggs also assumed the Woody Allen-esque lead role in the Allen film "Anything Else" (2003), stammering and fretting his way Allen-style as a young writer caught in a torturous relationship with a neurotic actress (Christina Ricci).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1983
Began acting at age five
1991
Starred opposite Judd Hirsch in the Seattle production of "Conversations With My Father" (credited as Jason M. Biggs)
1991
Landed regular role on "Drexell's Class" (Fox)
1991
Film acting debut, "The Boy Who Cried Bitch"
1994
Portrayed troubled teen Pete Wendall on the CBS daytime serial "As the World Turns"; received Daytime Emmy nomination
1997
Played recurring role on "Total Security" (Fox)
1999
Breakthrough role, playing sexually naïve high school senior Jim Levenstein in the ensemble teen comedy "American Pie"
2000
Portrayed a sex-obsessed student in the college-set comedy "Boys and Girls" opposite Freddie Prinze Jr.
2000
Co-starred with Mena Suvari in Amy Heckerling's charming comedy "Loser"
2001
Cast in lead role opposite Amanda Peet in the comedy "Saving Silverman"
2001
Reprised role of Jim in the sequel "American Pie 2"
2002
Had lead role of Benjamin Braddock in the Broadway adaptation of "The Graduate"
2003
Cast in first dramatic film lead opposite Christina Ricci in "Prozac Nation"; screened at Toronto
2003
Reunited with the cast of "American Pie" for "American Wedding"
2003
Reunited with Ricci for the Woody Allen comedy "Anything Else"
2004
Co-starred with Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler in "Jersey Girl"
2004
Portrayed an Orthodox Jew in Daniel Goldfarb's comedy "Modern Orthodox" at Dodger Stages theater in New York City
2005
Again teamed with Woody Allen to star in "Melinda and Melinda"
2007
Executive producing debut, the TV-movie "I'm in Hell" (CBS), also starred
2008
Co-starred with Dane Cook and Kate Hudson in "My Best Friend's Girl"
2012
Reprised role along with original cast in "American Reunion"
Family
