Travis Van Winkle Bio
Travis Scott Van Winkle (born November 4, 1982) is an American actor known for his roles in both blockbuster films and popular television series. He gained prominence through starring roles in feature films such as Accepted (2006), Michael Bay’s Transformers (2007), and the reboot of Friday the 13th (2009). His television career includes portraying Lieutenant Danny Green in TNT’s The Last Ship (2014–2018), Cary Conrad in Netflix’s thriller series You (2021), and CIA operative Aldon Reese in the action comedy series FUBAR (2023–2025).
Early Life and Background
Travis Scott Van Winkle was born on November 4, 1982, in Victorville, California, United States. He was the middle child among three siblings, with Sally (née Fitzgerald) and Charles Van Winkle as his parents. When Travis was two years old, his family relocated to Oscoda, Michigan. The family moved once more when he was eight, settling in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Van Winkle attended McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, where he completed his secondary education. After graduating, he enrolled at the University of West Georgia, though he did not complete his degree. At age 20, he made the decision to leave university and pursue an acting career in Hollywood. He is a member of the Baháʼí Faith.
Path to Actor
Van Winkle’s journey into acting began after he left the University of West Georgia at age 20 to move to Hollywood. His transition into professional acting came through television appearances, which provided him with foundational experience in the entertainment industry. This early period established his presence in the Los Angeles acting community and set the stage for his eventual breakthrough in feature films.
Travis Van Winkle Career
Early Career (2004–2006)
Van Winkle made his television debut in December 2004, appearing in an episode of the Fox sitcom Quintuplets. Following this initial appearance, he quickly accumulated guest roles in several notable television series, including That’s So Raven, Malcolm in the Middle, The O.C., and 7th Heaven. These early television appearances helped him develop his craft and establish connections within the industry.
His first major film role came in the 2006 comedy Accepted, where he earned one of the lead parts. This film marked his transition from television to feature films and provided him with significant exposure in Hollywood. The experience gained from this starring role opened doors to larger productions and more prominent projects.
Breakthrough (2007–2009)
The year 2007 proved to be a pivotal moment in Van Winkle’s career. He landed the role of Trent DeMarco in Michael Bay’s blockbuster film Transformers. This high-profile project, featuring an ensemble cast including Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, brought Van Winkle widespread recognition and significantly elevated his profile in the entertainment industry.
Following Transformers, Van Winkle reprised the character of Trent DeMarco in the 2009 reboot of Friday the 13th, another production by Michael Bay. He also appeared in the 2008 comedy film Meet the Spartans and featured in Julianne Hough’s music video for “That Song in My Head.” These projects during this period solidified his position as a rising talent in Hollywood and demonstrated his versatility across different genres.
Notable Works and Milestones
Van Winkle continued to build his filmography throughout the 2010s and 2020s. In 2011, he starred in the suspense thriller 247°F alongside Scout Taylor-Compton. That same year, he began making guest appearances in popular television series such as Happy Endings, 2 Broke Girls, and Two and a Half Men. In 2012, he starred in the independent comedy Last Call and the thriller Bloodwork, co-starring Tricia Helfer.
Breakthrough (2014–2025)
In October 2012, Van Winkle was cast as Lieutenant Daniel Joshua “Danny” Green, leader of the Naval Mountain Warfare Special Forces Unit aboard the Nathan James, in the TNT action drama pilot The Last Ship. The series premiered on June 22, 2014, and he portrayed this role throughout the show’s run until 2018. Also in 2012, he joined the cast of The CW’s Hart of Dixie for its second season in a recurring capacity.
The 2014–2018 period saw Van Winkle take on diverse projects. He starred in the comedy film Mantervention (2014), appeared in an episode of Scorpion, and led the PixL original movie Bound & Babysitting alongside Tammin Sursok (2015). In 2017, he portrayed Scott Hays in the Hallmark Channel original movie Christmas Getaway, starring opposite Bridget Regan.
In October 2020, Van Winkle was cast in the main role of Cary Conrad for the third season of Netflix’s thriller series You. His portrayal of this character brought him back to the streaming platform that had previously featured his work. In 2022, it was announced that Van Winkle would appear in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video remake of the 1989 film Road House. He currently stars as CIA operative Aldon Reese in the Netflix action comedy series FUBAR, which premiered in 2023 and continues through 2025.
Travis Van Winkle Family
Travis Scott Van Winkle was born to Charles Van Winkle and Sally Fitzgerald (née) in Victorville, California. He was the middle child among three siblings. His father was Charles Van Winkle and his mother was Sally Fitzgerald. Information about his siblings is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Van Winkle is a member of the Baháʼí Faith. He has not publicly disclosed information about his romantic relationships or marital status. No information about children has been made public. He has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the spotlight, focusing primarily on his acting career. Van Winkle has also worked as a model for Abercrombie & Fitch, photographed by Bruce Weber.