Jason Behr Bio
Jason Behr (born December 30, 1973) is an American film and television actor widely recognized for his leading role as Max Evans in the science-fiction series Roswell. He first gained attention in the late 1990s with guest appearances on popular shows such as Step by Step, The Profiler, 7th Heaven, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and JAG, and later earned recurring roles on Dawson’s Creek and Breakout Kings. Behr has also appeared in feature films including The Shipping News and the American remake of The Grudge. Across his career, he has worked steadily in both independent productions and larger studio projects, reflecting his range as a performer.
Early Life and Background
Jason Behr was born on December 30, 1973, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Patricia Ann Steiner and David Behr. He is the second of four boys in his family. After his parents divorced, his mother moved the boys to the suburb of Richfield, where he attended St. Richard’s Catholic Elementary, a private grade school. Growing up in the Twin Cities area shaped his early years and gave him his first taste of performing in front of an audience.
Behr began acting at the age of five when he took part in a school play as a sunflower. By the time he was eight, he was appearing in commercials for Stomper Trucks and modeling for local department stores. He continued to perform throughout his school years and graduated from Richfield Senior High School in 1992. At the age of nineteen, after a chance meeting with Hollywood manager Marvin Dauer in Minneapolis, Behr decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.
Path to Acting
After relocating to Los Angeles, Behr quickly built up his on-screen experience by appearing in more than seventy-five commercials. In 1995, he landed the role of Tyler Baker on the Showtime comedy series Sherman Oaks, a racy sitcom that ran for two seasons before being cancelled in early 1997. The role gave him early television exposure and helped him transition into scripted dramatic work.
Following Sherman Oaks, Behr booked a series of guest appearances on several well-known shows, including Step by Step, The Profiler, 7th Heaven, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and JAG. He was also cast in the ABC series Push, but the show was cancelled after only a few episodes aired. Despite that setback, he picked up a recurring role as the character Chris Wolfe on The WB’s series Dawson’s Creek, a part that allowed him to demonstrate his dramatic range and prepared him for his next major opportunity.
Jason Behr Career
Early Career (1994–1999)
Behr began his professional acting career in 1994 with commercial work and small television appearances. His first notable recurring role came with Sherman Oaks, which provided him with steady work and visibility within the industry. These early credits allowed him to build a résumé that caught the attention of casting directors for higher-profile network projects.
During the late 1990s, he made memorable guest appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and several other popular network shows, expanding his reputation as a dependable young actor. His performances during this period laid the groundwork for the audition that would soon define his career. By the end of the decade, he had moved from commercials and guest spots into more substantial recurring television work.
Breakthrough (1999–2004)
Behr’s breakthrough came when he was cast as Max Evans, the lead character on the science-fiction series Roswell, which premiered on The WB in 1999. While filming Dawson’s Creek in North Carolina, he read the pilot script for a show then called Roswell High and felt an immediate connection to the lead alien character. Roswell ran for two seasons on The WB before moving to UPN for its third and final season. Although the series never achieved top ratings, it developed an extremely loyal fan base, and Behr earned two Saturn Award nominations for his performance.
After Roswell, Behr transitioned into feature films. In 2001, he played Dennis Buggit in director Lasse Hallström’s The Shipping News, co-starring alongside Kevin Spacey, Judi Dench, Julianne Moore, and Cate Blanchett. He later reunited with his Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar in the American remake of the Japanese horror film The Grudge. He also appeared in the Korean CGI dragon fantasy D-War and Lions Gate’s werewolf tale Skinwalkers, further expanding his presence in genre cinema.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Behr’s most recognized works are the television series Roswell, where his portrayal of Max Evans earned him Saturn Award nominations, and the feature films The Shipping News and The Grudge. His independent film work, including titles such as The Last International Playboy, also reached audiences through festival screenings and theatrical releases.
Jason Behr Award Nominations
Jason Behr received recognition within the genre entertainment community through nominations from the Saturn Awards for his work on Roswell. His portrayal of the lead alien character Max Evans brought him two nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, reflecting the strong following his performance generated. These nominations remain the most prominent honors of his early career.
Jason Behr Awards Won
There are no verified major award wins recorded for Jason Behr across the sources reviewed. His career recognition has come primarily through nominations rather than confirmed victories at major ceremonies.
Jason Behr Family
Jason Behr was raised in a family of four boys by his parents, Patricia Ann Steiner and David Behr. Following his parents’ divorce, his mother Patricia raised the boys in the suburb of Richfield, Minnesota. Behr has spoken about how his mother’s support and the close bond among his brothers helped shape his early years. His upbringing in the Minneapolis area gave him his first opportunities to perform in school plays and local commercials.
Personal Life
Behr previously dated his Roswell co-star Katherine Heigl. While shooting The Grudge in Japan, he met actress Katherine Dee Strickland, whom he married on November 10, 2006, in Ojai, California. The couple has a son, born in October 2013. Behr and his family have kept much of their personal life out of the public eye since then.