Stephen Colletti Bio
Stephen Colletti is an American actor and television personality born on February 7, 1986, in Newport Beach, California. He first gained recognition as a reality television star on MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County before successfully transitioning to scripted acting. Colletti became widely known for portraying Chase Adams on The CW drama series One Tree Hill, a role he held from 2007 until the series concluded in 2012. His career has evolved from reality television to dramatic acting, producing, writing, and podcasting, establishing him as a multifaceted presence in the entertainment industry.
Throughout his career, Colletti has demonstrated versatility across multiple media formats. After establishing himself on reality television, he secured a significant acting role on One Tree Hill that spanned multiple seasons. In recent years, he has expanded his creative endeavors by co-creating and starring in the Hulu series Everyone Is Doing Great and launching a successful podcast. His journey from teen reality star to established actor and content creator showcases his ability to adapt and grow within the entertainment landscape.
Early Life and Background
Stephen Augustino Colletti was born in Newport Beach, California, as the youngest child of Lorilee Goodall and Bruce Colletti. He grew up in the affluent Orange County community alongside his older brother John and older sister Lauren. The coastal Southern California environment would later become the backdrop for his television debut on MTV’s Laguna Beach, which documented the lives of wealthy teenagers in his hometown area.
Colletti attended Laguna Beach High School, where he completed his secondary education. Following his graduation, he briefly enrolled at San Francisco State University, attending for approximately one year. During this time, he began considering a career in the entertainment industry, which ultimately led him to leave university and relocate to Los Angeles to pursue acting opportunities full-time.
Path to Acting
Stephen Colletti’s entry into entertainment came through an unexpected avenue when MTV approached him to participate in a new reality series. The network was developing Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, a show that would follow the lives of affluent teenagers living in the coastal community. Colletti agreed to appear on the series, which premiered in September 2004, marking his first major exposure to television production and media attention.
The success of Laguna Beach provided Colletti with initial fame and recognition, but he aspired to pursue traditional acting rather than remain solely in the reality television genre. After appearing for two seasons on the MTV series, he made the decision not to return for the third season, choosing instead to focus on developing his acting skills and pursuing roles in scripted television and film. This transition required him to audition for acting roles and work on his craft, separating himself from his reality television persona.
Stephen Colletti Career
Early Career (2004-2006)
Stephen Colletti’s professional career began in 2004 with his appearance on Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. The show became a cultural phenomenon and launched Colletti into the public eye as one of its central figures. He returned for the second season, continuing his storylines and relationships on camera. The New York Times would later describe his television presence during this period as someone fighting to acquire charm to match his appearance.
Following his departure from Laguna Beach, Colletti made additional appearances in the MTV reality universe. In 2008, he appeared as himself on The Hills, another popular MTV series that had spun off from the Laguna Beach concept. Additionally, he worked temporarily as an MTV video jockey, primarily hosting segments for the network’s flagship program Total Request Live. These early experiences in the television industry provided him with on-camera experience and industry connections that would prove valuable as he pursued his acting ambitions.
Breakthrough (2007-2012)
Stephen Colletti’s acting breakthrough came in January 2007 when he was cast in a major recurring role on The CW teen drama series One Tree Hill. He portrayed Chase Adams, a high school student characterized by his decision to wait until marriage. Colletti first appeared in the twelfth episode of the fourth season, bringing a new dynamic to the ensemble cast. His character quickly resonated with viewers, leading to an expanded presence in subsequent seasons.
Over the following years, Colletti maintained a significant recurring role on One Tree Hill as his character evolved through various storylines. In November 2010, his contributions to the series were recognized when he was upgraded to core series regular status for the eighth season. The CW renewed the show for a ninth and final season, during which Colletti continued as a regular cast member until the series concluded with its finale airing on April 4, 2012. This five-year tenure on a network drama established Colletti as a legitimate dramatic actor beyond his reality television origins.
Later Projects and Expansion (2009-Present)
In February 2009, Stephen Colletti expanded his portfolio by appearing in the music video for Taylor Swift’s hit song White Horse. He was cast as the love interest in the video, with Swift selecting him because his appearance aligned with the character’s description of someone who looks genuinely trustworthy and incapable of deceit. This high-profile music video appearance introduced Colletti to Swift’s massive audience and demonstrated his appeal in music video storytelling.
Colletti’s creative ambitions extended beyond acting into writing, producing, and directing. He collaborated with his One Tree Hill co-star James Lafferty to develop an original comedy series called Everyone Is Doing Great. In August 2018, the duo successfully reached a crowdfunding goal to finance the first season of their project. Colletti took on multiple responsibilities for the series, playing the character Seth Stewart while also serving as a writer, producer, editor, and directing one episode. The series premiered on Hulu in January 2021, marking Colletti’s successful transition into content creation behind the camera.
In 2022, Stephen Colletti further expanded his media presence by launching a podcast called Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen. He co-hosts the show with his former Laguna Beach co-star Kristin Cavallari in collaboration with Dear Media. The podcast features behind-the-scenes commentary about their time on Laguna Beach, interviews with special guests, and discussions about their lives since the show. This venture demonstrates Colletti’s ability to leverage his early career experiences while building new connections with audiences through the podcast medium.
Notable Works and Milestones
Stephen Colletti’s career encompasses several notable achievements across different media formats. His role as Chase Adams on One Tree Hill represents his most significant acting credit, spanning 85 episodes across five seasons and establishing him as a dramatic actor capable of sustaining long-term character development. The Everyone Is Doing Great series showcased his abilities as a content creator, successfully bringing an original concept from crowdfunding to distribution on a major streaming platform. His podcast with Kristin Cavallari has proven successful, demonstrating the enduring audience interest in their Laguna Beach history while allowing Colletti to control his own narrative and engage directly with fans.
Stephen Colletti Award Nominations
Throughout his career in television and entertainment, Stephen Colletti has not received major industry award nominations. His work has primarily been in reality television and teen drama genres, which traditionally receive less recognition from major award organizations. Despite this lack of formal nominations, his successful transition from reality star to dramatic actor and his continued presence in the entertainment industry demonstrate professional achievement and audience acceptance of his work.
Stephen Colletti Awards Won
Stephen Colletti has not won major entertainment industry awards during his career. His contributions to television through Laguna Beach, One Tree Hill, and Everyone Is Doing Great have garnered viewership and fan support without translating to formal recognition from award organizations. The success of his projects, particularly the longevity of One Tree Hill and the successful crowdfunding and distribution of his original series, represent significant accomplishments in the competitive entertainment landscape.
Stephen Colletti Family
Stephen Colletti was born to Bruce Colletti and Lorilee Goodall in Newport Beach, California. He grew up as the youngest of three children, with an older brother named John and an older sister named Lauren. His family background in the Laguna Beach area positioned him perfectly for his eventual casting on the MTV reality series that documented life in his community. In 2025, Colletti married Alex Weaver, beginning a new chapter in his personal life as he built his family alongside his continued professional endeavors.
Personal Life
Stephen Colletti’s personal life has occasionally intersected with his professional career, particularly during his time on Laguna Beach where his relationships were documented as part of the show’s narrative. He has generally maintained a balance between his public persona and private life, allowing aspects of his personal journey to be shared through controlled mediums such as his podcast. In 2025, Colletti married Alex Weaver, marking an important personal milestone. His transition from teenage reality star to married adult with a diverse entertainment career reflects significant personal growth and maturity since his first appearance on television.