CELEBRITIES

James Wolk: Hollywood’s New Dude

“Nice” grew to be an increasingly dirty word as James Wolk pursued his acting dreams...


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“Nice” grew to be an increasingly dirty word as James Wolk pursued his acting dreams. “I had to con people into thinking I’m not so likable,” explains the 25-year-old, grinning regardless. Wolk has reason to be happy: Despite being a relative unknown, he has landed the lead role in one of fall’s most anticipated TV shows, Fox’s Lone Star. Premiering on September 20, the series carries a classy pedigree—the pilot episode was directed by Marc Webb, whose credits include (500) Days of Summer and the upcoming Spider-Man. But it’s Wolk’s career- making performance that is garnering the biggest buzz: “Reminds me of a young George Clooney” has been the typical blog refrain. It’s an astonishing reversal of fortune for a young talent with just a TV movie, a soap opera walk-on, and a commercial on his résumé. “It’s easy to think you can get discovered on the street, but I developed my chops on the stage—four years of theater in high school, and then another four in college,” he says. “By the time I got someone to take my head shot, I’d been acting for nine years!”

Styled by Lawren Howell; grooming by Ashley Verbeck at the Wall Group.