Rising from childhood celebrity, to teen heartthrob, to one of young Hollywood's hottest actors, Will Estes is well on his way to joining the elite ranks of Tinsel Town's most sought after superstars.

Estes won America's hearts as high school football player and US Marine, "JJ Pryor," in NBC's hit drama '"American Dreams" and returns as one ofthe stars of the highly anticipated new Fox drama, "Reunion" slated to premier this Fan (Thursdays at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ETIPT).

"Reunion" marks a groundbreaking concept in series television. As part character drama and part mystery, it chronicles the intriguing lives of six friends over the course of 20 years.

In addition, Estes stars in the Lifetime Original movie "The Dive From Clausen's Pier," based on Ann Packer's popular novel about a young woman's (Michelle Trachtenberg) courageous journey of self-discovery after her fiance and childhood sweetheart is paralyzed in a diving accident. "The Dive From Clausen's Pier" premieres Monday, July 25th at 9:00 p.m. ETIPT on Lifetime Television. From "American Dreams" to "Reunion," Will Estes is definitely someone to watch out for in the coming months.

As an only child born and reared in Los Angeles, Estes began his acting career at a young age. After being introduced to a children's agent through a family acquaintance, Estes made his TV debut on '"The New Lassie" at age 10. He was selected out of 700 children to star as the lead, "Will McCulloch," opposite Dee Wallace Stone and Christopher Stone. This exposure to the world of make-believe developed Estes' love for acting at a very young age. Now, he looks back at this time of his life and realizes that he never really chose to become and actor, but rather, acting really "chose" him.

The role on "Lassie" led to a string of guest starring roles on hit shows, such as '"Full House," "Boy Meets World," and "7th Heaven." Estes then landed series regular roles on shows like the WB's "Kirk," as Kirk Cameron's brother "Cory Hartman," "Kelly Kelly" as "Sean Parker," opposite Shelley Long, and the WB comedy, "It Had to Be You," opposite Robert Urich and Faye Dunaway.

At age 19, Estes was catapulted into a full time acting career. He landed the part of Seaman Ronald "Rabbit" Parker in the 2000 big-budget Universal thriller U-571, opposite Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton and Harvey Keitel. While shooting in Rome and Maita, Estes went through the most life-changing experience to date.

Away from home and on his own, Estes re-evaluated his beliefs and reaHzed that acting was a career path that he wanted to explore on a deeper level. This determined mindset added many roles to his extensive resume, starting with a starring role in Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" video, playing a teenager desperately trying to get into a Bon Jovi concert.

Estes' career rose to new heights in the Fall of2002, when he was cast as "J] Pryor," a star high school football player growing up in the '60s on NBC's period drama "American Dreams." In a 1963 Philadelphia setting, the Emmy-winning hit series chronicled the struggles of an everyday family amidst the struggles of this classic era in history.

After graduating from high school, "If' became a US Marine fighting in Vietnam instead of living his father's dream of becoming a Notre Dame football player. While on the set of "American Dreams," Estes met a group of Marines, who were there to ensure the accuracy of the storyline.

Because of the current war in Iraq, and the fact that both his Hlther and uncle served during the Vietnam era and Grandfather in WWII, his character and storyline hit very close to home. Playing "JJ" was something Estes took very seriously -- and it showed.

Estes wiII come back to television in the predicted Fall season smash hit "Reunion," both an endearing coming-of-age drama and an intense murder mystery between a tight knit group of friends. From the hopes and dreams of 18-year-olds to the realities that irrevocably mark their lives two decades later, "Reunion's' stories are of love and loss, marriage and death, triumph and scandal.

Estes' character "Will" is full of twists and one never knows ifhe is truly good or downright evil. We do know, however, that he longs to leave his small town behind and will be will be the first in his family to go to college, thanks to an athletic scholarship.

In the Lifetime Original film, "The Dive From Clausen's Pier," Estes plays
"Mike Mayor" a man engaged to marry his childhood love. His life changes dramatically after diving off of a pier into shallow water at a Memorial Day picnic and becoming a quadriplegic.

Estes has numerous passions outside of acting as well. A lifelong animal lover, Will currently has two rescue dogs and is involved in a variety of animal charities, such as "Best Friends," and "The Humane Society of the US." He is also an active member of Heal the Bay. a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Santa Monica
Bay and Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life.

Credit: emol.org