Casey Moss

Casey Moss is an American actor, singer, and producer best known for portraying JJ Deveraux on the long-running NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.^[1] Born on November 16, 1993, in Hanford, California, Moss relocated to Los Angeles at age 16 to pursue a career in music before transitioning into acting.^[2][1] He joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in 2013 as JJ Deveraux, a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2018.^[1] Moss portrayed the character intermittently from 2013 to 2020, with returns in 2022 and 2024.^[1] Beyond soap operas, he has appeared in films such as The Last Champion (2020), where he played Scott Baker, and the series American Satan (2017) as an SS Band Member.^[2] As a musician, Moss serves as the lead vocalist for the band Inner Echo and has incorporated his musical talents into his acting work, including performances on Days of Our Lives.^[1] In his personal life, Moss met his wife, actress True O'Brien, on the set of Days of Our Lives in 2014; the couple became engaged in June 2022 and married in an intimate beachfront ceremony on May 25, 2025.^[3]

Early life

Upbringing and family

Casey Moss was born on November 16, 1993, in Hanford, California.^[4][5] During his childhood, Moss spent time in various cities but was primarily raised in Chandler, Arizona.^[5] Public information about his family is limited, with details on his parents scarce beyond the fact that he moved to Los Angeles at age 16 with his father; he has an older brother, and the family has been described as close-knit, providing support for his early relocations.^[5][6] No specific professions or notable relatives are mentioned in available sources.

Initial pursuits in entertainment

Moss was born in Hanford, California, but was raised primarily in Chandler, Arizona, before relocating. During his school years, he developed an emerging interest in performance, beginning to play the guitar at age 12, which sparked a passion for music.^[5][7] At age 16, around 2009, Moss moved to Los Angeles with his father, primarily to pursue a career in music, with family support facilitating the transition. In the city, he focused on musical development, including vocal training and attempts at recording sessions, though these efforts did not result in major releases or tours. He also played drums and sang, building on his instrumental skills.^[1][5] Before transitioning to acting, Moss entered the modeling industry, securing representation and participating in photoshoots, such as a 2012 campaign for James Tudor underwear. These early modeling gigs provided his initial foothold in entertainment, bridging his musical aspirations with professional opportunities in Los Angeles.^[8]

Career

Modeling and music beginnings

At age 16 in 2009, Casey Moss relocated from Chandler, Arizona, to Los Angeles with his father to pursue a career in music.^[1][9] Having begun playing guitar at age 12, Moss also developed skills in singing and drumming, channeling his passion into independent songwriting and local performances in the city.^[5] These early music endeavors laid the groundwork for his creative pursuits, though specific unreleased demos or collaborations from this period remain undocumented in public records. Parallel to his musical activities, Moss expanded into modeling work in Los Angeles starting around 2009, focusing on building a professional portfolio through commercial gigs. By 2012, he secured a notable assignment modeling underwear for the brand James Tudor, which helped establish his presence in the industry.^[9] This phase involved balancing auditions and shoots with his ongoing music commitments, all without formal training in either field, presenting challenges in managing time and resources as a young newcomer. The convergence of his modeling and music paths facilitated a transition to acting around 2012, when a casting director, initially connected through Moss's music aspirations—including an opportunity to meet Aerosmith for mentorship—introduced him to auditions.^[10] Lacking prior acting experience, Moss approached these opportunities by drawing on his performance background from music, marking the pivotal shift from foundational creative roles to on-screen work.

Breakthrough on Days of Our Lives

Casey Moss was cast in the role of John "JJ" Deveraux Jr. on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives in early 2013, with his first onscreen appearance airing on May 7, 2013, as the rapidly aged son of Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton.^[11] His portrayal marked Moss's acting debut, building on his prior modeling experience to secure the audition for the troubled teen character.^[12] Moss's initial storyline centered on JJ's rebellious youth following the offscreen death of his father, Jack, leading to arrests for vandalism and a heated feud with his mother Jennifer's new boyfriend, Dr. Daniel Jonas, which highlighted intense family dynamics within the Horton household.^[13] Over the years from 2013 to 2018, JJ's arcs evolved to include a romance with Paige Larson, complicated by an illicit affair with her mother, Eve Donovan, which culminated in Paige's tragic murder in 2015, devastating JJ and prompting his spiral into drug addiction.^[14] JJ's struggles with loss and substance abuse were further explored as he sought redemption by joining the Salem Police Department, where his personal demons continued to surface.^[13] In a particularly acclaimed 2017-2018 arc, JJ grappled with profound guilt after accidentally shooting an unarmed teenager during a police operation, leading to a harrowing contemplation of suicide that showcased Moss's emotional depth and earned critical praise for addressing mental health themes in soap operas.^[15] Moss continued in the role through early 2020, with JJ departing Salem for humanitarian work in Africa following the death of his grandfather, Bill Horton.^[16] He made a brief return later that year for special episodes tied to family events, underscoring the character's enduring ties to the Horton legacy.^[17] Moss reprised the role briefly in 2022 during the week of June 27 for storylines involving his family.^[18] He returned again on October 17, 2024, for an extended arc that included JJ officiating the wedding of his brother Chad and Abigail, marking a full-time reprise as of November 2025.^[19][1]

Film and other television roles

Moss expanded his acting portfolio beyond soap operas with a series of film and television appearances, beginning with a minor role in the supernatural horror series American Satan (2017), where he played an SS Band Member amid a story of a rock band entangled with demonic forces.^[20] In 2015, prior to this, he took on a recurring role as Tyler Dean in the web series Youthful Daze, a drama following young adults navigating relationships and ambitions in a coastal town, appearing in multiple episodes that showcased his versatility in ensemble casts. His entry into feature films came with the short Circle (2019), in which Moss portrayed Chris Hardy, one of two men stranded and fighting for survival in the desert, highlighting themes of isolation and human resilience in a compact narrative.^[21] Moss's most prominent non-soap film role to date is Scott Baker in The Last Champion (2020), a sports drama directed by Glenn Withrow, where he supports the central story of a disgraced Olympic wrestler (Cole Hauser) returning home to mentor a troubled teen athlete, emphasizing redemption, family bonds, and the rigors of wrestling.^[22] The film, which premiered in limited release, drew praise for its inspirational tone and Moss's contribution to the ensemble dynamics. More recently, in 2025, Moss starred as Brad in the horror-comedy short Bidet, directed by James Brylowski, depicting a group of friends terrorized by a possessed bathroom fixture after finding it on a beach, blending humor with supernatural thrills in a festival-circuit release.^[23] These projects reflect Moss's efforts to diversify into independent films and genre television, often leveraging the emotional depth honed from his soap opera background to secure varied auditions.^[24] While his non-soap roles remain selective, they underscore a growing presence in shorter-form and ensemble storytelling.

Personal life

Relationships

Casey Moss first met actress True O'Brien on the set of the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives in 2014, where O'Brien played Paige Larson, the romantic interest of Moss's character, JJ Deveraux.^[25][26] The pair's on-screen chemistry soon translated into a real-life romance, and they began dating in 2015, making their relationship public during the mid-2010s.^[24][27] Over the years, Moss and O'Brien's partnership evolved from a set romance into a committed long-term relationship, highlighted by their frequent joint appearances at industry events, including interviews at the Day of Days fan event and the show's 49th anniversary celebration.^[28][29] This off-screen dynamic mirrored their characters' storyline, fostering fan interest in their personal lives. In June 2022, Moss proposed to O'Brien on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific Ocean during a hike in Malibu, California, capturing the moment in a video shared on social media.^[30][31] Moss has no prior high-profile relationships documented in public records, with his romance with O'Brien representing his most notable personal partnership to date.^[6][32]

Recent milestones

On May 25, 2025, Casey Moss married his longtime partner, True O'Brien, in an intimate beach ceremony in Morro Bay, California, attended by close family and friends.^[33] The couple, who first met on the set of Days of Our Lives in 2014, opted for a private event to mark the culmination of their 10-year relationship.^[34] Following the vows, a small reception was held nearby, emphasizing their desire for a low-key celebration away from public scrutiny.^[35] The wedding garnered warm responses from the soap opera community, with co-stars and industry peers sharing congratulations on social media platforms.^[36] Fans also expressed joy through widespread online announcements and supportive posts, highlighting the couple's enduring romance as a beloved storyline off-screen.^[33] As of November 2025, Moss and O'Brien have not announced any plans for children or further family expansions.

Filmography

Television

Moss's primary television role has been as JJ Deveraux on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, a character central to several major storylines involving family dynamics and personal redemption.^[17]

Television Credits

• Youthful Daze (2015) – Tyler Dean, recurring role in the web series (13 episodes).
• American Satan (2017) – SS Band Member, guest role in season 1.^[20]
• Days of Our Lives (2013–2018, 2020, 2022, 2024–present) – JJ Deveraux, contract role during initial stint from May 2013 to early 2018, followed by recurring appearances including brief returns in November 2020 and June 2022 for family-related storylines; rejoined as contract player starting October 17, 2024, with ongoing status as of November 2025.^[17][37][18]

Film

Casey Moss's film career includes a select number of independent features and short films, beginning with his debut in the thriller Circle.^[38] In 2019, Moss starred as Chris Hardy in the short comedy-thriller Circle, directed by Michael John Madden, where two friends face survival challenges in the desert.^[38][21] His first feature-length role came in 2020 with The Last Champion, a sports drama directed by Glenn Withrow, in which he portrayed Scott Baker, a young athlete navigating personal and professional obstacles.^[22][2] In 2025, Moss appeared as Brad in the horror-comedy short Bidet, directed by James Brylowski and co-starring his wife True O'Brien; the film premiered at festivals including the Calgary Underground Film Festival and HollyShorts.^[23][39]

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

Casey Moss received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2018 for his portrayal of JJ Deveraux on Days of Our Lives, specifically in the category of Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series.^[40][41] His submission reel highlighted Deveraux's intense emotional storyline involving contemplation of suicide, showcasing Moss's ability to convey vulnerability and inner turmoil amid the character's struggles with grief and loss.^[42] The 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards nominations were announced on March 21, 2018, with the ceremony held on April 29, 2018, in Pasadena, California.^[40] Moss competed against fellow nominees Lucas Adams (Days of Our Lives), Rome Flynn (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Tristan Lake Leabu (The Young and the Restless).^[40] Although he did not win—the award went to Flynn—Moss was regarded as a strong contender and front-runner by industry observers prior to the event.^[43] As of 2025, this remains Moss's sole Daytime Emmy nomination, with no additional nods or wins recorded in the category or related performance areas.^[41][44]

Other recognitions

Moss earned a nomination for the Gold Derby TV Award in the Younger Actor - Daytime Drama category in 2013, recognizing his initial portrayal of JJ Deveraux on Days of Our Lives.^[41] In the fan-voted Soap Hub Awards, he received a nomination for Favorite Days of Our Lives Actor at the 1st Annual ceremony in 2020.^[41] For his supporting role as Scott Baker in the 2020 faith-based sports drama The Last Champion, Moss won Best Supporting Actor at the 2022 Faith in Film Festival, where the film also secured Best of the Fest honors.^[45] As of 2025, these represent Moss's primary non-Emmy recognitions, with no additional major awards or nominations reported beyond these soap opera and independent film honors.^[41]