Born on March 15, 1985, in Dickinson, North Dakota, he grew up in a large family with six siblings. Initially pursuing chemical engineering, he switched to acting, moving to Los Angeles. He gained fame for his role as Emmett Cullen in the "Twilight" film series. Prior to "Twilight," he appeared in TV shows like "90210" and "The Comeback." Beyond acting, he ventured into modeling and is noted for his fitness enthusiasm. His filmography includes action roles in "The Expendables 3" and "Hercules."