The vampire in the first of Twilight series and that cute bartender in "Burlesque"...
Cam Joslin Gigandet ( /dʒiːɡɑːnˈdeɪ/; born August 16, 1982) is an American actor, whose roles have included Twilight, The O.C., Never Back Down, The Roommate, Burlesque and Priest.
Career
In 2003, Gigandet made his acting debut making a guest appearance in the Crime television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2004 and 2005 Gigandet continued his television career making noticeable recurring roles in television shows such as The Young and The Restless and Jack and Bobby.
In 2006, Gigandet successfully auditioned for the role of Kevin Volchok on the Fox teen drama television series The O.C.. Gigandet portrayed the role of Kevin, a bad boy and rebellious competitive surfer who develops a casual relationship with the rich socialite Marissa Cooper portrayed by Mischa Barton. Gigandet became a major recurring character throughout the series third season and his performance was complimented by critics. Gigandet returned at the start of the series fourth and final season. Gigandet guest starred in 15 episodes.
In August 2007, Gigandet was cast in the Summit Entertainment action drama film Never Back Down. He portrayed the role of the villainous bad boy and fighting champion Ryan McCarthy who sets out to take down the film's protagonist. Filming took place in Sanford and Clermont, Florida. Gigandet starred alongside Sean Faris, Amber Heard and Djimon Honsou. The film was released on March 14, 2008 and was a financial box office success earning worldwide $41,627,431. The film received largely negative reviews. Gigandet and co-star Faris shared an award for "Best Fight" at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.
In December 2007, Summit Entertainment cast Gigandet in the planned film adaptation of the best selling vampire book series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. He signed on to portray the role of the film's "tracker" vampire James and its antagonist. The film adaptation was released on November 21, 2008 and followed instant box office success but received mixed reviews from critics. A universally successful film trilogy The Twilight Saga followed. Gigandet did not reprise his role as his character is destroyed at the end of the first film. He received his second "Best Fight" award win at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards with Robert Pattinson.
In 2008, Gigandet won the award for "One to Watch" at the 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards. In August 2008 Gigandet signed on to the Screen Gems supernatural horror film The Unborn portraying the role of the protagonist's love interest. Gigandet stars alongside Meagan Good and Odette Yustman. The film focused on Yustman's character who is tormented by a ghost which tries to use her death as a gateway to physical existence. The film was produced by Michael Bay's production company Platinum Dunes. The film was released on January 9, 2009 and received universally negative reviews. The film was a financial success earning $75,915,793 worldwide. Also in 2009 he starred as Lieutenant Gallo in the sci-fi thriller Pandorum.
In 2010, Gigandet portrayed a supporting role in Screen Gems comedy film Easy A: a 22-year old Christian high school student named Micah. The film was a box office success earning $76,639,272 worldwide and unanimous critical praise from critics worldwide. That same year Gigandet starred as the villainous prison guard Chase in the psychological Straight-to-DVD thriller The Experiment. The film received mixed reviews from critics.
That same year Screen Gems cast Gigandet in the film Burlesque. The film was written and directed by first time Director Steve Antin and starred Cher, Christina Aguilera and Stanley Tucci. The film is a musical which follows Christina Aguilera's character who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of singing and ends up in a burlesque bar. Gigandet portrays Christina's love interest, Jack, a bartender who works at the club. The film was released on November 24, 2010 to mixed reviews. The film was a box office success, earning more than $89 million worldwide.
In 2009, Gigandet was cast alongside Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly in the thriller film The Roommate. The film followed a college freshman who is randomly assigned to the roommate from hell who soon becomes obsessed. He played Stephen, a University student and love interest of Kelly's character. The film received numerous push-backs and was released on February 4, 2011. It has been compared to the film Single White Female by the media.
In May 2010, 20th Century Fox cast Gigandet in the psychological thriller Trespass alongside Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage. Gigandet portrayed the leading antagonist who takes the married couple portrayed by Kidman and Cage's characters hostage. Filming took place throughout August and September 2010. The film is set to be released sometime in 2011. In March 2009, Gigandet was cast in a major supporting role in the Screen Gems action horror film Priest. Gigandet portrayed the role of Hicks, a Wasteland Sheriff. The film was pushed back numerous times, and released on May 13, 2011, shown in 3D. [
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Trivia
- His girlfriend got him to start reading the Twilight series two months before he got the part of James.
- Has two tattoos, one on his right arm and the other on his left hip that says "Godspeed".
- His last name is pronounced "Ji-GON-Day".
- Has a black belt in the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga.
- Daughter, Everleigh Ray Gigandet, born on April 14, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. Mother is Dominique Geisendorff.
- One older sister, Kelsie Gigandet, is a celebrity hair stylist.
- Engaged to actress Dominique Geisendorff, the couple has been together for six years.
- On July 4, 2008 cracked his fibula in a water-skiing accident.
