Shane West

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Born in Baton Rouge, LA, in 1978, Shane West began acting when he was in his mid-teens. He has had guest roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sliders, and Picket Fences. In 1999, he landed the role of Eli Sammler in Once and Again. He has also acted on the stage in the role of Angel in The Cider House Rules, and has co-starred in a number of films, including, Liberty Heights, I'll Be You, Whatever It Takes, Dracula 2000, A Time for Dancing, and A Walk to Remember.

When he isn't acting, West plays lead guitar and writes most of the music and lyrics for his own L.A.-based punk-rock band, Jonny Was. For three years he had the role of resident Ray Barnett in NBC's ER. He has also appeared in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, What We Do is Secret, The Gift, The Lodger and The Stone House.

Last updated: March 24, 2009.

• Born: 10 June 1978
• Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Best Known As: Dr. Ray Barnett on TV's ER

Name at birth: Shannon Bruce Snaith

Actor Shane West got his big break on TV's critically-acclaimed family drama Once and Again (1999-2002) and went on to play Dr. Ray Barnett on the series ER from 2004 until the show ended in 2009. A native of Louisiana, West moved to Los Angeles as a boy and got into acting as a teenager. By the time he was 18 he had appeared as a guest star in a number of TV shows, and in 1999 he made his feature film debut in Liberty Heights. His role opposite Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember (2002) put him squarely into heartthrob territory, and he has continued to make feature films while working in television. His other films include Dracula 2000 (2000, with Gerard Butler), Get Over It (2001, with Kirsten Dunst), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003, starring Sean Connery) and Red Sands (2009). West is also a musician; in 2005 he joined The Germs, a 1970s punk band that reformed with West replacing original front man Darby Crash. He also played Crash in a 2007 biopic of the band, What We Do Is Secret.

West also played guitar in the now-defunct band Jonny Was... He had an uncredited role as one of Topher Grace's poker pals in the movie Ocean's Eleven (2001, with George Clooney and Julia Roberts).

• Born: Jun 10, 1978
• Occupation: Actor
• Active: 2000s
• Major Genres: Drama, Horror
• Career Highlights: What We Do Is Secret, Get Over It!, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• First Major Screen Credit: Once and Again: Season 01 (1999)

Biography

The sultry Shane West -- a Gemini whose genuine handsomeness is doubly effective in combination with his mesmerizing raspy voice -- made his mark on the Hollywood scene within the realm of teen drama. Beginning with appearances on television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Picket Fences, West was soon cast as a more permanent staple in teenage tube-life, as well as on the big screen.

West was born on June 10, 1978, in Baton Rouge, LA, where he spent his life until he made the decision to pursue an acting career in 1995. Upon moving to L.A., West found much success on dramatic television, landing a starring role on ABC's Once and Again (1999) as Eli Sammler after appearing in the Showtime original movie The Westing Game (1997). A more contemporary rendition of the Cyrano de Bergerac story, Whatever It Takes (2000) featured a book-smart West. He appeared in Dracula in 2000, and made a cameo in the 2001 remake of Ocean's Eleven.

Huge publicity surrounding the pop superstar status of Mandy Moore brought West much attention as her love interest in 2002's A Walk to Remember. From the cool crowd, West's character, Landon Carter, learns of matters of a deeper significance during his interaction with Jamie Sullivan (Moore). West's adoring fan base increased in significance as well in his role as sexy and romantic Landon. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Buy this Movie	A Walk to Remember Buy this Movie	Get Over It! Buy this Movie	Whatever It Takes Buy this Movie
Liberty Heights Buy this Movie

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