Born in New York City in 1984, he gained early fame starring as a young chess prodigy in the critically acclaimed film "Searching for Bobby Fischer" (1993). Despite the film's success, he chose to focus on his education, attending the Bronx High School of Science and later Harvard University. Occasionally returning to acting, he appeared in a few projects during the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his intellectual pursuits, he has largely stepped away from the public eye.