Mike Erwin

Biography

Filmography

Biography

Texas native Mike Erwin enjoyed a robust career that included frequent appearances on popular television series as well as supporting roles in a wide array of films. After early minor roles in teen sex comedies like "American Pie 2" (2001) and "The New Guy" (2002), Erwin endeared himself to television audiences as the hunky Colin Hart on the bucolic family drama "Everwood" (The WB, 2002-06). He soon burst back onto the big screen as the teenage Bruce Banner in Ang Lee's film adaptation of "Hulk" (2003), before returning to small screen work on a number of television series, including "Jack & Bobby" (The WB, 2004-05) and "Teen Titans" (Cartoon Network, 2003-06). Although the productions boasted substantially smaller budgets than "Hulk," Erwin's work in indie films like "Pretty Persuasion" (2005), "Kush" (2007) and "Chaos Theory" (2008) continued to earn him praise. Later television work included a gritty turn on the cable series "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13) and a role opposite Tom Selleck on "Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost" (CBS, 2011). Able to play a handsome boy-next-door or a drug dealer in an alleyway with equal conviction, Erwin continued to rack up respectable performances on his way to the breakout role that awaited him.

Born Aug. 31, 1978 in Dalton, GA, Erwin was raised as a Southern Baptist in Arlington, TX. Born with a severe allergy to cellulose, a substance found in fruits and vegetables, Erwin was raised on a strict diet growing up, and had to be rushed to the emergency room on a number of occasions. After appearing in a number of junior high and high school theater productions, Erwin decided to pursue acting professionally. Upon graduating from Martin High School in Arlington, Erwin enrolled in the theater program at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX. He was named as a member of the national honorary theater fraternity Alpha Psi Omega, and performed in a number of the university's theater productions including "Evita," "The Puppeteer," "Cowboy Mouth," "Psycho Beach Party," "Lizard," and "Women and Wallace." The young thespian went on to graduate form Texas Wesleyan in 2000 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in theater.

Relocating to Los Angeles, CA upon graduation, Erwin landed his first professional role in the comedy "The New Guy" (2002). Filmed in Austin, Erwin returned to his home state for the shoot. He was also cast in a small role in the hit teen comedy, "American Pie 2" (2001). Landing a number of television guest appearances, Erwin appeared in episodes of "Judging Amy," (CBS, 1999-2005), "Do Over," (The WB, 2002) and "7th Heaven" (The WB, 1996-2006). In 2001, Erwin was cast in the role of Lyle on the fifth season of the MTV teen soap, "Undressed" (1999-2002). Next, he appeared on the series "Reba" (The WB, 2001-07) and in the season finale of CBS' "Touched by An Angel," (CBS, 1994-2003), playing a high school senior who is found to be a murderer.

Erwin landed his first major break, however, in 2003. Cast as the comatose Colin Hart on the popular drama, "Everwood" (The WB, 2002-06), Erwin caught the eye of the show's young female demographic. In what was originally written to be a brief guest-starring role, Erwin's viewer appeal on the series led to the young actor joining the series in a regular role. In what was his most challenging role to date, the performance required Erwin to portray a teen struggling with a severe brain injury. That same year, Erwin landed another potential break-out role in Ang Lee's highly anticipated film adaptation of "The Hulk" (2003). Portraying a young Bruce Banner, Erwin beat out a number of other young actors for the part. Though the film received mixed reviews, it provided ample exposure for Erwin due to its comic book subject matter, grossing more than $200 million worldwide. Despite his hectic schedule, Erwin went on to guest-star in a number of TV episodes, including on "One Tree Hill" (The WB, 2003-12), "CSI" (CBS, 2000- ), "CSI: Miami" (CBS, 2002-12), and "Joan of Arcadia" (CBS, 2003-05).

Taking on another medium, Erwin provided the voice of Jak in the Playstation 2 video games "Jak II" (2003), "Jak 3 (2004) and "Jak X: Combat Racing" (2005). Erwin also provided voiceover work for a number of animated series, including "Jackie Chan Adventures" (The WB, 2000-05), "Teen Titans" (Cartoon Network, 2003-06), and "Justice League" (Cartoon Network, 2001- ). A familiar face on the WB network, Erwin appeared in a recurring role on the short-lived series, "Jack & Bobby" (2004-05). Back to film, he appeared in the dark independent comedy "Pretty Persuasion" (2005) opposite Evan Rachel Wood.

As Erwin matured, so too did his roles. He delivered an intense performance as a hot-headed drug dealer in the independent crime-drama "Kush" (2007), holding his own in scenes alongside veteran character actor William Atherton. The following year saw the busy young actor appearing in such projects as the Ryan Reynolds comedy-drama "Chaos Theory" (2008) and on the acclaimed serial killer drama "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13) as a drug dealer targeted by the eponymous avenging angel (Michael C. Hall). He later joined a young cast of pretty but doomed characters in the little-seen horror movie "Wreckage" (2010) and picked up a supporting role in the made-for-TV movie "Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost" (CBS, 2011), the latest installment of the popular Tom Selleck franchise.