Dawson's Creek

Background:

Actor Kerr Smith first appeared on the small screen with his memorable role of teen heartthrob Ryder Hughes on the hit soap opera “As the World Turns” (1996-1997). However, it was his reoccurring role of gay high school student Jack McPhee on The WB's popular “Dawson's Creek” (1999-2003) that really put the actor in the TV spotlight. He also starred in the dramatic series “E-Ring” (2005-2006, as Bobby Wilkerson) and the Fox legal drama “Justice” (2006, as Tom Nichols) as well as had recurring roles on the hit shows “Charmed” (2004-2005, as Kyle Brody) and “CSI: NY” (2007, as Drew Bedford). On the silver screen, Smith, who co-founded a production company called Proudest Monkey Entertainment, portrayed characters in “The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy” and the suspenseful thriller “Final Destination” (both 2000).

Off camera, Smith was married to actress Harmoni Everett. As a teenager, he dated actress Ali Hillis (together in 1988). He has a home in Park City, Utah, where he goes on skiing vacations. Smith is a certified pilot and enjoys motocross. He owns a dog named Maxine.

Outgoing

Childhood and Family:

Kerr Van Cleve Smith was born on March 9, 1972, in Exton, Pennsylvania, to a financial advisor father. He attended Henderson High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where the extroverted was class president for three years. After graduating in 1990, Kerr enrolled at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration in 1994. Kerr enjoyed snow skiing and basketball during his free time. He has a younger sister named Allison.

Kerr and Canadian actress Harmoni Everett were married on June 7, 2003. They are no longer together.

Life Unexpected

Career:

Kerr Smith had his first taste of acting during his senior year of high school when he was cast in the supporting role of Sir Edward Ramsey in a school production of “The King and I.” An aspiring businessman, Smith started a marketing firm with his father in Exton after he completed his studies, but he quickly recognized he was more interested in the performing part of sale presentations than the actual selling. Shortly after, he sold his truck and used the money to move to New York to give acting a shot.

Smith received his first taste of show business as an extra in the 1995 film “12 Monkeys.” Although his part ended on the cutting room floor, this experience further ignited his desire to pursue acting professionally. Before long, he landed a regular gig on the popular CBS daytime drama “As the World Turns,” in which he played teen heartthrob Ryder Hughes from 1996 to 1997.

In 1998, Smith went to Los Angeles and was cast in an episode of the series “Baywatch.” Not long after, he hit the big time when he won the role of Jack McPhee on the WB successful drama “Dawson's Creek” (1998-2003), which launched the career of such young performers as Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek and Michelle Williams. A year later, he appeared on the large screen in the independent comedy “Hit and Runway” (1999), which won honors at several film festivals. He was next cast in the starring role of Kelly in the improvisational comedy “Lucid Days in Hell” (1999). He also gained some popularity that same year with his appearances on TV commercials.

In 2000, Smith appeared with Timothy Olyphant, Zach Braff, Dean Cain, Andrew Keegan, Nia Long and John Mahoney in the movie “The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy,” which was written and directed by Greg Berlanti. He then costarred with Devon Sawa and Ali Larter in the popular teen horror movie “Final Destination.” After making a guest appearance in “Blood Drops,” a 2000 episode of “CSI” Crime Scene Investigation,” Smith headlined the 2001 thriller movie “Forsaken.” He again took the lead in the action thriller “Pressure” (2002). The same year, he also appeared as Zach Burnham in an episode of the mystery series “The Outer Limits.”

Following the demise of “Dawson's Creek” in 2003, Smith received a starring role, opposite Katherine Heigl, in NBC's television movie “Critical Assembly” (2003). He then portrayed Jason Argyle in the direct-to-video sequel “Cruel Intentions 3,” acted in the Canadian short film “Road Kill” and starred as Dennis Patterson in the failed pilot “Silver Lake” (all 2004) before joining the cast of the WB's hit show “Charmed” in the recurring role of FBI Agent Kyle Brody. He played the role from October 2004 to January 2005.

After guest spots in episodes of “CSI: Miami” and “The Closer” (both 2005), Smith returned to series TV as a regular on the drama series “E-Ring” (2005-2006), opposite Benjamin Bratt and Dennis Hopper. Unfortunately for Smith, who played Bobby Wilkerson on the show, the Emmy award winning series only lasted a single season. He next starred as Tom Nicholson on the Fox legal drama “Justice” (2006), which also had a short life. Among his costars in the series were Victor Garber, Rebecca Mader and Eamonn Walker.

In 2007, Smith appeared in several episodes of the television series “CSI: NY,” playing Drew Bedford. He next costarred in the horror film “My Bloody Valentine” (2009) and from 2008 until 2009, as Paul Rollins in the television series “Eli Stone.” He currently portrays Ryan Thomas in the series “Life Unexpected” (2010-2011).

Awards:
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