Dave Annable
About
Biography
Biography
After experiencing the all-too-common disappointments of unaired pilots and failed television series, actor Dave Annable finally enjoyed success on a highly-touted drama alongside a revered ensemble cast. Having walked the boards in New York's theater scene and landed a bit of commercial work, the young actor made his network television debut with a 2002 guest spot on the police drama "Third Watch" (NBC, 1999-2005). A small part in the Brittany Murphy romantic drama "Little Black Book" (2004) preceded his being cast in the ensemble mystery "Reunion" (Fox, 2005-06). Although that show lasted less than a full season, Annable faired far better as a member of another expansive cast - one that included acclaimed actress Sally Field, no less - in the family drama "Brothers & Sisters" (ABC, 2006-2011). Despite working alongside several more recognizable faces, he impressed critics and audiences as the youngest son, Justin Walker, a traumatized Afghanistan War veteran, returned home to make good. As the show completed its five-season run, Annable was also seen in theaters opposite Anna Faris in the romantic comedy "What's Your Number?" (2011) but made his main impact on television, starring in the short-lived horror series "666 Park Avenue" (ABC 2012-13), teen hospital drama "Red Band Society" (Fox 2014-15) and medical drama "Heartbeat" (NBC 2016). Handsome, affable and talented, Annable excelled in whatever role came his way.
Annable was born in Suffern, NY on Sept. 15, 1979 and raised in the town of Walden. One of three siblings along with a sister and half-sister, Annable spent his upstate New York youth entrenched in athletic pursuits, actively involved in hockey, rugby and baseball. However, as he matured, he found a strong acting inspiration in television comedy star Michael J. Fox of "Family Ties" (NBC, 1982-89) fame. With a heavy concentration on sports, Annable figured he might eventually segue into becoming a gym teacher, but got more into performing at State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh. He added some production elements to his passion for acting while in school, joining up with its resident Plattsburgh State Television (PSTV) station, performing and hosting a talk show, and helping with camera and behind-the-scenes elements.
In the middle of his studies at SUNY, Annable headed down to New York City, where he studied with Richard Pinter at the city's famed Neighborhood Playhouse. A couple of months into his city residence, he landed the first of a series of commercials, appearing in a spot for Starburst candy. Into the mid 2000s, he appeared in various prominent commercial spots, including one for Mountain Dew soda pop. Things just started taking off from there. In November of 2002, he landed a guest spot role on NBC's uniform drama "Third Watch" (1999-2005). Beginning in August of 2003, the Revolution Studios' romantic comedy "Little Black Book" began filming, with Annable signing on to play a small role as Bean. One year later, he appeared on an episode of "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment" (The WB, 2002-04) when the Los Angeles-based prank series came to film in New York in November 2003.
A succession of pilots soon helped the actor gain some critical momentum and needed face time. Annable landed a starring role in Fox's sibling comedy pilot, "The Robinson Brothers," about three brothers sharing a Los Angeles apartment. The pilot was shot in early March, but the network decided not to develop it into a series. Annable pressed on. August saw the release of "Little Black Book" to modest box office, then another pilot opportunity arose. Fox had acquired the rights to a pilot called "Spellbound" - a comedy about a supernatural New York man who falls for a mortal, which was previously developed by NBC. A year later, it was September 2004 and Annable had now stepped into the lead role when the series was redeveloped by its new network. That second pilot, however, failed to make the network grade as well.
Despite their lack of fruition, a high-profile appearance on two of Fox's pilots brought Annable some positive attention from the casting agents so crucial to up-and-comers. He was cast as a lead in Fox's drama thriller "Reunion" (2005), playing Aaron Lewis, one of several classmates who come together for a high school reunion and become suspects in a classmate's murder. The ensemble cast subsequently headed up to Vancouver to film the series. Debuting in the 2005-06 fall season, "Reunion" failed to hook viewers and faced an abrupt cancellation by the end of the year. But at least this show had made it to air, giving viewers their first real look at the handsome actor with the chops to match.
Having left New York behind for Los Angeles, it was not long before Annable landed his biggest role yet. He was an early selection for the cast of "Brothers & Sisters" (ABC, 2006-2011), a family-drama about siblings who run the family business following their father's abrupt passing. As Justin, the eager son who went to war in Afghanistan and returned home a changed man, Annable put his dramatic skills to good use. The series became one of the network's top draws during the 2006-07 season, earning Annable and his castmates - Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths and Calista Flockhart, among them - critical praise and numerous accolades throughout its run. After five seasons filled with personal betrayals and heartfelt reconciliations, ABC finally pulled the plug on "Brothers & Sisters." Annable looked to transition to film with a supporting role in the Anna Faris-Chris Evans romantic comedy "What's Your Number?" (2011) as one of the many ex-boyfriends of Ally (Faris), a single girl looking to the past to find her soul mate. Unfortunately, the film met with generally negative reviews and audience indifference, vanishing from theaters shortly after its release. Annable bounced directly back to television after that disappointment, co-starring as the innocent new building manager in short-lived horror series "666 Park Avenue" (ABC 2012-13), taking a supporting role as a doctor in teen hospital drama "Red Band Society" (Fox 2014-15) and playing another doctor opposite Melissa George in medical drama "Heartbeat" (NBC 2016).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Film Production - Main (Special)
Life Events
2002
Made TV acting debut on NBC's"Third Watch"
2004
Cast in a supporting role in the romantic comedy "Little Black Book," starring Brittany Murphy and Ron Livingston
2005
Cast as a lead in Fox's drama thriller "Reunion"
2006
Cast in breakthrough role on the ensemble family drama "Brothers & Sisters" as Afghanistan war veteran Justin Walker
2011
Cast opposite Anna Faris in the romantic comedy "What's Your Number?"
2016
Was cast in the horror film "Temple"
