Biography
An athletic, all-American actor whose remarkable audition opposite
Colin Farrell led director
Joel Schumacher to cast him in his 2000 war drama
Tigerland on the spot, Shea Whigham may not be a household name, but with impressive performances in such subsequent features as
All the Real Girls and
Out of This World, he's certainly become a talent to watch for. Born the son of former Florida State University quarterback Frank Whigham, the young athlete excelled at tennis and soccer in his early years, eventually entering college on a tennis scholarship. It was during his higher education that Whigham discovered a passion for acting, and soon thereafter, the aspiring thespian was accepted into New York's prestigious S.U.N.Y. Purchase Conservatory. A friendship with roommate
Kirk Acevedo led the burgeoning actors to co-found the New York-based theater troupe The Rorschach Group, following graduation, with Whigham serving double duty as both performer and artistic director at the downtown Manhattan theater company for three years. After making an impression on audiences with his performance in
Tigerland, Whigham went on to appear opposite
Sam Neill in the made-for-television nautical drama
Submerged, and in the next few years he would continue to gain onscreen momentum by turning in impressive performances in such efforts as
All the Real Girls. If the majority of his post-
Tigerland roles didn't offer quite the exposure of his impressive debut, appearances in such high-profile Hollywood efforts as
Cheer Up and The Lords of Dogtown showed that Whigham was ready and willing to work his way back into the spotlight. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide