Road to Perdition

Background:

“If I wasn't an actor, I'd play professional baseball, which I am pursuing. I love the game and have been playing it year-round since I was seven.” Tyler Hoechlin

American actor Tyler Hoechlin first came to prominence as Tom Hanks' son, Michael Sullivan Jr. on the Academy Award winning film “Road to Perdition” (2002). The role also brought him a Young Artist Award and a Saturn Award, not to mention Broadcast Film Critics Association's Critics Choice Award nomination and a Phoenix Film Critics Society nomination. He gained further attention with his portrayal of Martin Brewer on the popular family/drama series “7th Heaven” (2003-2007), from which he received two Teen Choice nominations and a Young Artist nominations. Currently, he plays Derek Hale, a mysterious werewolf, in the MTV new supernatural series “Teen Wolf” (2011-?). Hoechlin is also a standout baseball player.

Baseball

Childhood and Family:

Tyler Lee Hoechlin was born on September on September 11, 1987, in Corona, California, to Lori, a former accountant, and Don, an ER doctor. He was raised in Southern California. He has two brothers, Travis and Tanner, and a sister, Carrie. Tyler was home schooled by his parents, and began studying acting in 1997. He trained at Young Actors Space, the Krys Kyer Workshop, the Beverly Hills Acting Studio, as well as with Warner Laughlin. In 2005, Tyler received a college scholarship to play baseball at Arizona State University. He later transfered to University of California, Irvine (UCI).

Teen Wolf

Career:

Tyler Hoechlin began acting when he was nine years old. He made his film debut as Jeff Jo in “Family Tree” (1999), a drama/family film directed by Duane Clark and starring Robert Forster, Naomi Judd and Andrew Lawrence. Two years later, he appeared as Billy in the adventure/family film “Train Quest” (2001), starring Donnie Biggs, Tanya Garrett and Cristian Irimia.

However, Hoechlin did not enjoy a big breakthrough until he won the coveted role of Tom Hanks' son, Michael Sullivan Jr., in the period drama “Road to Perdition” (2002) by director Sam Mendes. An adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by Max Allan Collins, the film earned generally positive reviews from critics, and won the Best Cinematography Award at the 2003 Academy Awards, where the film also was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Paul Newman), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Music, Original Score, Best Sound and Best Sound Editing. It debuted at No. 2 on the US box office, with $22,079,481, and eventually grossed $104,454,762 in the United States and $76,546,716 in elsewhere for a worldwide total of $181,001,478. For his promising performance, Hoechlin was handed a Young Artist for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor and a Saturn for Best Performance by a Younger Actor, in addition to Broadcast Film Critics Association's Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Young Actor/Actress and a Phoenix Film Critics Society nomination for Best Performance by a Youth in a Leading or Supporting Role – Male.

In 2003, Hoechlin gained further boost when he joined the cast of the hit television family/drama series “7th Heaven” in the regular role of Martin Brewer, the only son of the Marine, Beau Brewer. He remained with the show until it ended on May 13, 2007. Hoechlin received two Teen Choice nominations for Choice Breakout TV Star - Male (2004) and a Choice TV Actor: Drama (2005) as well as a Young Artist nomination for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor (2005) for his acting efforts.

After “7th Heaven” left the airwaves, Hoechlin starred along side Graham Kosakoski and Brody Harms in the made for television film “Grizzly Rage” (2007), guest starred as Shawn Hodges in an episode of “CSI: Miami” called “Sunblock” (2007), and portrayed Nick in the Daniel Myrick directed horror/drama film “Solstice” (2008), opposite Elisabeth Harnois, Shawn Ashmore and Hilarie Burton. He went on to appear in “My Boys” (1 episodes, as Owen Scott), “Castle” ( 1 episode, as Dylan Fulton) and “Lincoln Heights” (2 episodes, as Tad) (all 2009).

Recently, Hoechlin was cast in the regular role of Derek Hale in the supernatural series “Teen Wolf,” opposite Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O'Brien, Holland Roden and Colton Haynes. The show premiered on MTV on June 6, 2011 and received mostly positive response from critics upon its release.

2011 also saw Hoechlin play Gerry in the Farrelly brothers comedy film “Hall Pass,” opposite Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Stephen Merchant, Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate. Despite a mixed reception, the film opened at No. 1 on the US box office with $4.6 million. Besides, he co-starred with Agnes Bruckner and Henry Dittman in the drama film “Open Gate” (2011).

Hoechlin is set to play Ricky in the upcoming comedy film “Melvin Smarty,” opposite Helena Mattsson and Mark Matkevich.

Apart from acting, Hoechlin has dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. He started playing at age seven, and was in the U.S. baseball team member at the Pan-American games by age 9. He later played infield for Arizona State University and the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League. In 2008, he played infield for the UC Irvine Anteaters. He now plays shortstop for the Corona Wolverines.

Awards:

• Saturn: Best Performance by a Younger Actor, “Road to Perdition,” 2003

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor, “Road to Perdition,” 2003