Ethan Embry was born Ethan Randall on June 13, 1978 and grew up in Huntington Beach, California, U.S.A.. At a very young age, he decided that he wanted to become an actor. He began in local theater productions, most notably Pinnochio. This lead to commercials and more prestigious theater work at the Pasadena Playhouse.

While working at the Playhouse, he met up with dancer Chris Finch who inspired Embry to take up the art form himself. His history as a competitive gymnast allowed him to take up dancing rather easily. Ethan also performs in his own rock band, Southern Comfort Colonic, along with his brother. It is acting, however, that is truly Embry's passion and which has brought him his most success.

His film career was launched when he won the role of a preteen in the John Hughes flick Dutch, under the name Ethan Randall. He followed up with smaller roles in less than successful films but at least he kept busy and got experience. Next came a string of offbeat roles, in films such as Empire Records, That Thing You Do!, and Vegas Vacation.

Things are getting even better for Ethan, due to several more mainstream, films which helped to broaden his appeal and introduce him to wider audiences. He costarred with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jerry O'Connell, and a slew of other young stars in Can't Hardly Wait, and he also appeared recently with Katie Holmes and James Marsden in Disturbing Behavior.

Credit: allperson.com