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) is an American actor, best known for his role as Casey Hughes in As the World Turns, Hunter Atwood in One Life to Live and as Matt Donovan in The Vampire Diaries.

Early life

Roerig was born in Montpelier, Ohio, to Andrea (b. 1963-2020) and Daniel Roerig (1961-2007). He has a younger sister, Emily, who was born in 1989. Roerig attended the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Cleveland[1] 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.[2]

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. 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.[3][4] He was in the show for eight seasons until it ended in 2017.[5] He has also made guest appearances on its spin-offs The Originals and Legacies.[6][7]

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.[8] In that same year, he co-starred in the third installment of horror film series The Ring. 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.[9] 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.[10][11]

In May 2023, it was announced that Roerig will be starring in the upcoming Netflix series The Corps, a drama about a gay teenager who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps.[12][13]

Personal life

Roerig in 2011

Roerig has a daughter who was born in January 2011.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16][17]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Flutter Kick Jason Matthews Short film
2007 Tie a Yellow Ribbon Teenage Joe
2008 Assassination of a High School President Matt Mullen
2008 Dear Me Adam
2008 Official Selection The American Soldier Short film
2014 Field of Lost Shoes Jack Stanard
2016 2BR02b Edward Wehling Short film
2017 Rings Carter
2017 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"
2006 Split Decision Grady Love Television film
2007 Guiding Light Alex Season 55, episode 154
2007 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. ^ "Barbizon Modeling and Acting - Zach Roerig". Barbizon Modeling. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Ohio native stars in 'Vampire Diaries' and other shows".
  3. ^ "Exclusive Q&A with The Vampire Diaries's Zach Roerig". Teen Vogue. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  4. ^ Ng, Philiana (9 February 2012). "'Vampire Diaries' Actor Zach Roerig: 'Matt Is a Nice Piece of Humble Pie for Mystic Falls'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. ^ "'Vampire Diaries' Star Reflects On His Favorite Matt Moments And The 'Special' Series Finale". MTV. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  6. ^ Highfill, Samantha. "Exclusive 'Legacies' first look: Matt Donovan is back and 'going a bit insane'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Matt Donovan From 'The Vampire Diaries' Returns In 'Legacies'". CBS NEWS. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  8. ^ Outlaw, Kofi (March 10, 2017). "X-Men TV Series 'Gifted' Official Title Revealed". Comicbook.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  9. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (1 August 2017). "Jeremy Irvine, 'Vampire Diaries' Actor Zach Roerig & More Set For 'The Last Full Measure'". Deadline. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (14 August 2018). "'Dare Me': Rob Heaps, Zach Roerig & Paul Fitzgerald Among Eight Cast In USA Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  11. ^ Otterson, Joe (28 January 2019). "USA Network Orders Drama Based on High School Cheerleading Novel 'Dare Me'". Variety. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  12. ^ Otterson, Joe (1 May 2023). "Netflix Orders Gay Marine Dramedy Inspired by Greg Cope White Memoir, Norman Lear to Produce". Variety. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  13. ^ Porter, Rick (1 May 2023). "Gay U.S. Marine Drama From Norman Lear a Go at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  14. ^ "'Vampire Diaries' Star: I Have a Kid! & My Baby Mama's In Jail". TMZ. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  15. ^ Ravitz, Justin (July 8, 2013). "Zach Roerig Fighting With Convict Ex-Girlfriend Over Secret Daughter, 2". US Weekly. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  16. ^ Silver, Carly (May 29, 2020). "ATWT Alum Zach Roerig Arrested for DUI". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  17. ^ "Vampire Diaries Star Zach Roerig Arrested, Charged with DUI". People. Retrieved 19 September 2023.

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