Eric Lively Bio
Eric Lawrence Brown, known professionally as Eric Lively, is an American actor whose screen work spans film and television from his first appearance as an infant through roles across the 1990s and 2000s. Lively is best known for his performances as Andy Evans in the feature film Speak, Carey Bell on the series So Weird, and Mark Wayland on the drama series The L Word. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 31, 1981, and began acting in 1983.
Early Life and Background
Eric Lawrence Brown was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to talent manager Elaine Lively and actor Ernie Lively. He grew up in a family active in the entertainment industry and has multiple siblings who entered acting, including Blake Lively, Lori Lively, Robyn Lively and Jason Lively. The household environment provided early exposure to film and television production through his parents’ professional involvement.
From infancy Eric appeared on screen, with his first film credit occurring in Brainstorm in 1983. After completing high school, he moved to New York City to pursue studies in photography at Parsons The New School for Design, reflecting an early interest in visual arts alongside his acting work. During his younger years he also worked as a model for Abercrombie & Fitch while pursuing both study and acting opportunities.
Path to Celebrity
Eric Lively’s path from child performer to working actor combined guest television work with feature-film appearances and recurring television roles. He guest starred on Full House as a teenage boyfriend for the character Stephanie Tanner, an early television credit that preceded roles in late-1990s and early-2000s projects. He appeared in the 1999 ensemble comedy American Pie before moving into recurring television work that showcased a broader range.
In 1999 and into the early 2000s Lively secured a recurring role as Carey Bell on the Disney Channel series So Weird, a part that required him to learn guitar for the character and that brought him national recognition among younger audiences. That period marked a transition from adolescent guest work to substantial supporting and recurring roles in television and film.
Eric Lively Career
Early Career (1983–1999)
Eric Lively’s earliest screen appearance was in the 1983 film Brainstorm when he was a baby, reflecting his family’s close ties to the industry. He continued to take occasional child and teen roles, including a guest appearance on Full House at about age 13. These early credits established his presence in film and television and led to further opportunities as he entered adulthood.
By the late 1990s Lively appeared in the comedy film American Pie, which helped place him among young performers working in studio comedy. These projects built the foundation for more visible recurring parts on television as he moved into the 2000s.
Breakthrough (1999–2006)
The years between 1999 and 2006 contain several of Eric Lively’s most visible roles and represent his primary breakthrough period. His recurring role as Carey Bell on So Weird from 1999 into 2001 brought steady television exposure and allowed him to develop character work and on-screen musicianship. The role remains one of his earliest notable credits in a recurring series.
In 2004 Lively played Andy Evans in the feature film Speak opposite Kristen Stewart, a high-profile drama based on a best-selling novel that expanded his dramatic credentials. In 2005 he accepted the recurring role of Mark Wayland, a documentary filmmaker, on The L Word; he chose that recurring part over a regular role on 24 because he felt the subject matter was important. In 2006 he starred as the lead in The Butterfly Effect 2, a principal film role during this period.
Notable Works and Milestones
Signature projects for Eric Lively include the film Speak, the television series So Weird, and his recurring role on The L Word. He also appeared as the president’s son Roger Taylor in the television film 24: Redemption and later took on film roles that included the lead in The Butterfly Effect 2. Across these projects Lively moved between film and television, building a resume of supporting and leading parts.
Later Career (2007–2014)
Following the mid-2000s Lively continued to work in both film and television. He appeared in music-video work, notably as the on-screen boyfriend in Pink’s music video for the song “Please Don’t Leave Me” in 2009. He guest-starred on series such as The Client List in 2012 and appeared in the 2013 film A Madea Christmas as the character Conner. He also held the 24: Redemption credit during this later span.
Eric Lively’s acting career is documented through credits that extend to 2013, and public records indicate he retired from acting in 2014. His professional timeline therefore spans from his 1983 screen debut through the early 2010s, reflecting work across genres and formats.
Eric Lively Family
Eric Lively is the son of talent manager Elaine Lively and actor Ernie Lively. He is part of a large family of performers that includes his sister Blake Lively and half-sisters Lori Lively and Robyn Lively, while Jason Lively is a half-brother who has screen credits of his own. The family network has been a recurring presence in multiple members’ careers and remains a defining feature of his personal background.
Personal Life
Public records indicate Eric Lively married Angelina Davydova in 2005. He holds United States nationality and lived between family, study and work commitments while pursuing acting and photography. Known public biographical details emphasize family and his education at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.
Beyond formal credits, Lively maintained interests in photography and modeling alongside acting. After more than three decades of screen work beginning in infancy, he stepped away from acting in 2014, with his recorded professional activity concluding that year.