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James Lafferty
James Lafferty
from Wikipedia

James Martin Lafferty (born July 25, 1985) is an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of Nathan Scott on The WB/CW teen drama television series One Tree Hill (2003–2012).

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Lafferty was born in Hemet, California, to Angelica and Jeffrey Lafferty, who own a local construction company.[1] He has a younger brother, actor Stuart Lafferty.

Having worked as an uncredited extra on television shows including Beverly Hills, 90210[2] and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,[3] Lafferty received his first significant acting role in a school play when he was 10 years old. Lafferty attended Hemet High School (where he played on the school's basketball team) until 2003, after which he enrolled at California State University, Long Beach. At age 18, he moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, having been cast as Nathan Scott in One Tree Hill.

Career

[edit]

In 1997, at age 12, Lafferty made his small-screen acting debut with a voice-over role in the made-for-television film Annabelle's Wish. Lafferty has since made guest appearances on television series' such as Once and Again, Get Real, and Boston Public. In 2002, Lafferty starred in the ESPN made-for-television film A Season on the Brink, an adaptation of the book of the same name by John Feinstein. The film centered on the 1985–86 season of Indiana University's college basketball team.

In 2003, Lafferty was cast in his breakout role of Nathan Scott on The WB/The CW teen drama series One Tree Hill. The series follows two estranged half-brothers, Nathan and Lucas Scott, who are put on the same basketball team, jeopardizing Nathan's position as the star player. In May 2011, The CW renewed the series for a ninth and final season, for which Lafferty chose to return on a recurring basis rather than in a full-time starring role.[4] Over the course of the later seasons, Lafferty directed four episodes. He received four Teen Choice Award nominations throughout his time on the series.

In February 2008, Lafferty was cast in the straight-to-DVD sequel to the cult film Donnie Darko.[5][6] Titled S. Darko, the film was released in May 2009, and received mostly negative reviews from critics.[7] In April 2011, Lafferty was confirmed to star alongside One Tree Hill castmate Stephen Colletti and brother Stuart Lafferty in a planned adventurous reality television series entitled Wild Life: A New Generation of Wild, for which he was an executive producer. A pilot episode was filmed, but the series failed to find a network.[8] In 2013, Lafferty was cast in the NBC crime thriller series Crisis, as Mr Nash. This was followed by landing the lead role of Jimmy Adams in the independent movie Waffle Street, alongside Danny Glover, and being cast in a recurring role during the first season of WGN America's slave drama Underground.[9] In August 2015, Lafferty directed an episode of the second season of E! drama series The Royals, and returned to direct a few more episodes during season three.[10] In 2018, James along with costar and friend Stephen Colletti started an indiegogo campaign for their show Everyone is Doing Great [11] The show was acquired by Hulu in 2020 [12]

Personal life

[edit]

Lafferty currently resides in Los Angeles, California. For four years until 2015, he was in a relationship with Irish actress Eve Hewson.[13] He began dating Australian actress Alexandra Park in 2015 after meeting on the set of The Royals, when Lafferty directed several episodes. The couple became engaged on September 7, 2020. They got married on May 23, 2022, in Hawaii.[14]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Annabelle's Wish Buster Holder Voice
2003 Boys on the Run Joe Ferguson
2009 S. Darko Justin Sparrow
2011 The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy Eigson Howard
2013 Lost on Purpose Fever
2014 Oculus Michael Dumont
2015 Waffle Street Jimmy Adams
2017 Small Town Crime Tony Lama
2024 Red Right Hand Lazarus

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Get Real Billy Episode: "The Last Weekend"
2001 Emeril James Lagasse Episode: "Pilot"
2001 Boston Public Michael Scott Episode: "Chapter Eighteen"
2001–2002 Once and Again Tad 4 episodes
2002 Prep Jackson Unsold television pilot
2002 First Monday Andrew Episode: "Pilot"
2002 A Season on the Brink Steve Alford Television film
2003–2012 One Tree Hill Nathan Scott Main role, 182 episodes
2012 One Tree Hill: Always & Forever Himself Behind the Scene Extras
2014 Crisis Mr. Nash Main role, 13 episodes
2016 Underground Kyle Risdin Recurring role, 6 episodes
2018 The Haunting of Hill House Ryan 4 Episodes
2020 The Right Stuff Scott Carpenter Main role
2021–present Everyone Is Doing Great Jeremy Davis Main role
2022 All American Connor Murphy Episode: "Got Your Money"

Other works

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2009–2012 One Tree Hill Director 4 episodes
2010 Hours Before Executive producer Short film
2015–2018 The Royals Director 5 episodes
2017 Everyone is Doing Great Director, executive producer, co-writer 8 Episodes
2022–2023 All American Director 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2004 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout TV Star – Male One Tree Hill Nominated
2005 Choice TV Chemistry (with Chad Michael Murray) Nominated
2010 Choice Scene Stealer – Male Nominated
Choice Parental Unit (with Bethany Joy Lenz) Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
James Martin Lafferty (born July 25, 1985) is an American actor, director, producer, and writer best known for portraying on the long-running teen drama series One Tree Hill from 2003 to 2012. Born in , Lafferty began his acting career in school productions at age 10 and secured his first onscreen role in the short-lived sitcom Emeril in 2001, followed by guest appearances on shows like and . His breakout came with One Tree Hill, where he played the prodigy and evolving family man across all nine seasons, earning Teen Choice Award nominations for breakout star and TV chemistry in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Beyond television, Lafferty has appeared in films such as the horror thriller Oculus (2013), the indie comedy (2015), and the crime drama (2017), often drawing on his real-life background as a high school MVP and black belt in for athletic roles. He expanded into directing by helming episodes of One Tree Hill and the E! series The Royals, and in , he co-created, wrote, directed, and starred in the Hulu dark comedy series Everyone Is Doing Great, which explores post-fame struggles among former TV stars. More recently, Lafferty starred as astronaut in National Geographic's The Right Stuff (2020) and as Ryan Quale in Netflix's (2018). In 2024, a sequel series to One Tree Hill was announced, with Lafferty set to reprise his role as . In his , he produced the 2002 documentary Yank Tanks about vintage American cars in and married actress Alexandra Park in in 2022 after eight years together.

Early life

Family and upbringing

James Martin Lafferty was born on July 25, 1985, in , a city in Riverside County known for its with mild winters and hot, dry summers. He is the son of Jeff and Angie Lafferty, who owned and operated a successful local company that provided stability for the family. Lafferty grew up in Hemet alongside his younger brother, , with whom he shared a close relationship, often engaging in imaginative play such as reenacting movie scenes together during their childhood. Lafferty attended Hemet High School, where he was an MVP on the team, graduating in 2003. The family resided in the suburban environment of Hemet, enjoying the area's abundant sunshine—averaging approximately 270 days per year—and its dense suburban setting with parks and recreational opportunities that supported an active family lifestyle.

Entry into acting

James Lafferty began his acting career at the age of seven, initially appearing in commercials and print advertisements after being encouraged by his mother to explore the entertainment industry alongside his younger brother. Growing up in Hemet, California, this early exposure provided him with foundational experience in performing, including local theater work that helped build his skills as a child performer. By age ten, Lafferty was actively auditioning for roles, securing an agent to represent him in the competitive Los Angeles market. His first on-screen appearances came in 1997 at age twelve, including a voice-over role as Buster Holder in the animated film Annabelle's Wish and uncredited appearances on episodes of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and Beverly Hills, 90210. These minor television roles marked his transition from background work to credited parts, though he continued balancing auditions with a relatively normal upbringing in Hemet. At age sixteen, Lafferty relocated from Hemet to to pursue acting full-time, a move supported by his family that allowed him to immerse himself in the industry. This period involved frequent auditions for guest roles and pilots, honing his craft through consistent representation and persistence amid the challenges of breaking into Hollywood as a teenager.

Career

Breakthrough role in One Tree Hill

James Lafferty landed his breakthrough role as Nathan Scott in the teen drama series One Tree Hill in 2003, after a grueling audition process that he later described as his "last shot" at an acting career. Prior to the audition, Lafferty had faced repeated rejections and was prepared to abandon acting altogether, but the opportunity to portray the cocky high school star on (later ) changed his trajectory. The series, created by , premiered on September 23, 2003, with Lafferty's casting announced earlier that year, marking his first major television lead at age 18. Nathan Scott's evolved dramatically across the show's nine seasons, from 2003 to 2012, transforming from an arrogant and privileged athlete into a devoted husband, father, and coach. Initially introduced as the rival to his half-brother (played by ), Nathan's early portrayal emphasized his entitlement, bullying tendencies, and focus on dominance, but through relationships—particularly his romance with tutor Haley James ()—he developed empathy, overcame personal demons like and , and prioritized family. This progression highlighted themes of redemption and growth, making Nathan one of the series' most dynamic figures and contributing to its enduring appeal as a coming-of-age . The role propelled Lafferty to stardom, solidifying his status as a teen idol and fostering a dedicated fanbase that continues to celebrate One Tree Hill as a cultural touchstone for early drama. Fans praised Lafferty's nuanced performance, particularly in emotional scenes depicting Nathan's vulnerabilities, which resonated with audiences navigating similar themes of identity and relationships; the series amassed a global following, with episodes drawing millions of viewers at its peak. On set, Lafferty formed close bonds with co-stars Murray and Lenz, crediting their chemistry for authentic portrayals of the Scott brothers' rivalry and Nathan-Haley romance, often improvising to enhance sibling tension and romantic depth during filming in .

Subsequent television roles

Following the conclusion of One Tree Hill in 2012, James Lafferty pursued a variety of television roles, including recurring parts and guest appearances that showcased his range beyond teen drama. In 2014, he took on a recurring role as Danny Derrick, the kidnapped son of the , in the political thriller , appearing in five episodes alongside and . Lafferty continued with guest spots in more specialized series, including a recurring role as Kyle Risdin in six episodes of the historical drama Underground in 2016, which depicted the and starred Jurnee Smollett-Bell and [Aldis Hodge](/page/Aldis Hodge). That same year, he also guest-starred in four episodes of the horror miniseries as Ryan, a close family friend entangled in the Crain family's trauma. A significant project came in 2018 when Lafferty co-created, co-produced, and starred in the independent comedy-drama series Everyone Is Doing Great, playing , a washed-up from a fictional hit teen show struggling with post-fame irrelevance and personal relationships. The series, which drew from Lafferty's own experiences after One Tree Hill, featured his One Tree Hill co-star as Seth and his then-fiancée (now wife) Alexandra Park as Lizzie, marking a key collaboration among the trio; it premiered on in 2021 following a successful effort that raised over $300,000. In 2020, Lafferty portrayed astronaut in the Disney+ historical drama The Right Stuff, a role that highlighted his ability to embody real-life figures in a NASA-centered spanning the early . Lafferty's most recent work includes the lead role of Luke Hollis in the 2025 Lifetime holiday movie A Christmas, co-starring Zibby Allen as Caroline Wallace, a single mother who joins a league and finds unexpected romance and holiday joy with Luke, a charming coach; the film was shot in , , and is scheduled to premiere on December 20, 2025.

Film appearances

Lafferty made his feature film debut in the sports drama A Season on the Brink (2002), portraying college basketball player in this Original Movie adaptation of John Feinstein's book about Indiana University's tumultuous 1985-86 season. The film received mixed reviews for its portrayal of coach Bob Knight's intense style, with a 45% audience score on . Following his breakthrough on television, Lafferty transitioned to supporting roles in independent films, including The Hard Easy (2005), where he played Jesse, a young man entangled in a botched robbery scheme alongside actors like and Aria Johnson. He next appeared in S. Darko (2009), the sequel to , as Iraq Jack (also credited as Justin Sparrow), a mysterious drifter who aids the protagonists in a surreal road trip narrative; the film was critically panned, earning a 13% score for its failure to capture the original's cult appeal. In 2010, Lafferty starred in the indie drama Small Town Saturday Night as Rusty, a navigating small-town dreams and relationships amid a cast including and ; the low-budget production focused on themes of aspiration in rural America but garnered limited distribution and reception. His horror genre turn came with Oculus (2013), directed by Mike Flanagan, where he played Michael Dumont, the adult brother of protagonist Kaylie Russell in a story of a cursed antique mirror; the film was a critical success, holding a 75% Certified Fresh rating on for its psychological tension and strong performances. Lafferty continued with indie projects, including the Nelms Brothers' : Lost on Purpose (2013) as Fever, a quirky in a comedic tale of a lost executive; Waffle Street (2015) as , the protagonist rebuilding his life after financial ruin by flipping waffles; and (2017) as Tony Lama, a thug in a thriller about an ex-cop investigating a . These films emphasized character-driven stories, with receiving an 82% Fresh score on for its gritty atmosphere. He also appeared in Wish Upon (2017) as Ryan, a high schooler caught in a supernatural deal gone wrong, contributing to the film's teen horror elements but sharing in its 37% Rotten Tomatoes rating. More recently, Lafferty took on antagonistic roles in genre fare. In 2024's , he portrayed Lazarus, a enforcer in a crime thriller set in rural starring and , which earned a mixed 52% score for its violent Appalachian noir vibe. His selective film work has focused on indie and genre projects.

Directing and producing

Everyone Is Doing Great

James Lafferty co-created the comedy series Everyone Is Doing Great in 2018 alongside fellow One Tree Hill alum , drawing inspiration from their own post-fame experiences as actors navigating life after early success. Their shared background on One Tree Hill informed the project's exploration of fame's aftermath. To fund production, they launched an campaign in June 2018, raising $267,422 from nearly 3,000 backers to produce the first season independently. The series premiered on in January 2021 after the streaming service acquired distribution rights in December 2020, following the completion of its eight-episode first season. It centers on two former child stars, Seth Stewart (Colletti) and (Lafferty), who five years after their hit vampire drama Eternal ended, grapple with mid-life crises, faltering careers, strained relationships, and the harsh realities of Hollywood's post-success landscape. Lafferty took on multiple roles in the project, co-writing the series with Colletti, executive producing, starring as the hapless Jeremy—a stand-in for his own career struggles—and directing all eight episodes, marking a significant expansion of his behind-the-scenes contributions. A second season entered production in 2023 and is expected to release in 2025, with Lafferty again directing. Critics praised the series for its authentic depiction of actors' vulnerabilities, with a 80% approval rating on based on reviews highlighting its relatable humor and insider perspective on fame's fleeting nature. Viewers connected with its themes during the , contributing to strong streaming performance on , though specific viewership metrics were not publicly disclosed.

Other directorial projects

Lafferty made his directorial debut on One Tree Hill in 2009, helming the season 6 finale "Show Me How to Live," which aired on May 4. He followed this with three additional episodes: season 7's "I and Love and You" on October 26, 2009; season 8's "Nobody Taught Us to Quit" on October 12, 2010; and season 9's "Catastrophe and the Cure" on February 15, 2012. These episodes showcased his growing comfort behind the camera while still acting as Nathan Scott, allowing him to leverage his intimate knowledge of the series' ensemble dynamics. In 2015, Lafferty expanded his television directing to E!'s The Royals, reuniting with creator from One Tree Hill. He directed five episodes across seasons 2 through 4, including season 2's "Taint Not Thy Mind, Nor Let Thy Soul Contrive Against Thy Mother" (December 27, 2015) and season 3's "Born to Set It Right" (January 8, 2017). His work on the series emphasized the show's dramatic palace intrigue, building on the character-driven storytelling he had refined in his earlier projects. Lafferty returned to directing in 2022 with All American on , helming season 4's "Labels" (April 25, 2022), which explored themes of identity and family pressure among high school athletes. He directed a second episode, season 5's (April 24, 2023), focusing on personal reckonings during . These credits demonstrated his adaptability to contemporary teen formats, prioritizing emotional depth in fast-paced ensemble narratives. No additional directing projects beyond the second season of Everyone Is Doing Great have been released as of November 2025, though his experience across these series highlights a consistent focus on youth-oriented stories with relational complexity.

Personal life

Relationships and marriage

Lafferty has kept details of his early romantic relationships largely private, with limited public information available about partners prior to his . He first met Australian actress Alexandra Park in 2015 while directing episodes of the television series The Royals, in which she starred. The couple began dating shortly thereafter and went public with their relationship in 2018. Their engagement was announced in September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Lafferty sharing a photo on Instagram showing Park's engagement ring. Lafferty and Park married in a private ceremony on May 23, 2022, in Oahu, . The intimate event featured close family and friends, reflecting the couple's preference for privacy. Following their marriage, they have collaborated professionally on projects including the series Everyone Is Doing Great (2020), where Park portrays the love interest of Lafferty's character.

Residence and interests

Lafferty resides in , , having relocated there early in his acting career to be closer to opportunities in the entertainment industry. He maintains a keen interest in , a passion deepened by portraying the athletic on One Tree Hill, and has actively participated in related events, including reunion games with castmates and charity matches to support various causes. Lafferty also enjoys outdoor activities such as , horseback riding, and beach outings, which reflect his active lifestyle. In his philanthropic efforts, Lafferty has hosted annual charity basketball games to raise funds for organizations aiding children and families, and he has affiliated with initiatives like the Pink Project for . More recently, in January 2025, he publicly endorsed the SoCal FIRE FUND to assist wildfire victims in rebuilding their lives, underscoring his commitment to community recovery in his home region. Lafferty appeared on the Chaos Controlled in October 2025, sharing insights into his personal growth, the challenges of fame, and finding purpose beyond . His to actress Alexandra Park has influenced a shared domestic life focused on mutual support and stability in .

Filmography

Film

  • Annabelle's Wish (1997): Buster Holder (voice role in this animated film).
  • A Season on the Brink (2002): Steve Alford (supporting role in this TV movie adaptation of the book by John Feinstein, portraying the basketball player).
  • Boys on the Run (2003): Joe Ferguson (supporting role as one of three runaway teenagers in this adventure-thriller).
  • S. Darko (2009): Justin "Iraq Jack" Sparrow (supporting role in this direct-to-video sequel to , as a manipulative drifter).
  • The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy (2011): Eigson Howard (supporting role in this Western inspired by historical events).
  • Lost on Purpose (2013): Fever (supporting role in this independent drama about a dairy farm family).
  • Oculus (2013): Michael Dumont (supporting role as the protagonist's boyfriend in this ).
  • Waffle Street (2015): Jimmy Adams (lead role as a disgraced who takes a job at a ).
  • Small Town Crime (2017): Tony Lama (supporting role in this thriller).
  • Red Right Hand (2024): Lazarus (supporting role in this crime thriller).

Television

Lafferty's early television work consisted of uncredited extra appearances in the Western drama in 1997 and the teen drama later that same year. In 1999, he had a guest role as Billy in the episode "The Last Weekend" of the drama Get Real. He earned his first major credited guest role in 2001 as Michael Scott in the episode "Chapter Eighteen" of the Fox drama . In 2001, Lafferty had a recurring role as James Lagasse, the son of the titular chef, appearing in two episodes of the sitcom Emeril. That same year, he portrayed Tad Pincus in a recurring capacity across four episodes of the ABC family drama . Lafferty achieved his breakthrough as a series regular with the role of on The WB/CW teen drama One Tree Hill, which he played from 2003 to 2012 across all 187 episodes of the series. Following One Tree Hill, Lafferty took on a main role as the teacher Mr. Nash in the 2014 NBC thriller , appearing in all 13 episodes. He then had a recurring guest role as U.S. Marshal Kyle Risdin in six episodes of the 2016 WGN America historical drama Underground. In 2018, he guest-starred as Ryan Quale in four episodes of the Netflix horror miniseries . Lafferty co-created, co-wrote, executive produced, and starred as Jeremy Davis in the 2020 Hulu limited series Everyone Is Doing Great, a comedy-drama about faded child actors that consisted of eight episodes. That same year, he recurred as astronaut Scott Carpenter in all eight episodes of the National Geographic/Disney+ historical drama The Right Stuff. In 2025, Lafferty stars as Luke Hollis in the Lifetime Christmas television movie A Pickleball Christmas, premiering December 20, 2025, marking his first holiday-themed TV project.

Awards and nominations

Teen Choice Awards

James Lafferty received four nominations from the for his portrayal of on the teen drama One Tree Hill, highlighting the show's appeal to young audiences during its run from 2003 to 2012. The , a fan-voted ceremony established in 1999 by , recognize achievements in film, television, music, and other entertainment categories that resonate with teenagers aged 13 and older, often serving as a key milestone for emerging young actors by amplifying their visibility among teen demographics. In 2004, Lafferty was nominated for Choice Breakout TV Star - Male, acknowledging his debut season performance as a rising newcomer in television. The following year, in 2005, he earned a nomination for Choice TV Chemistry, shared with co-star Chad Michael Murray for their on-screen dynamic as brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott. Lafferty received two nominations in 2010 as One Tree Hill entered its later seasons: Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer, celebrating standout moments in his acting, and Choice TV: Parental Unit, recognizing his character's evolution into a family man alongside co-star Bethany Joy Lenz. Despite these honors, Lafferty did not secure any wins at the Teen Choice Awards.

Other honors

Lafferty's directorial and writing work on the series Everyone Is Doing Great earned recognition at independent film festivals. The pilot episode received the Best TV Episodic award at the 2019 Mammoth Film Festival. Additionally, the project was honored at the May 2018 IndieFEST Film Awards for its portrayal of struggling in the television industry, receiving an Award of Excellence. In 2018, Lafferty and co-creator won the Best Comedy Writers award at SeriesFest in for the pilot. In 2024, Lafferty and his One Tree Hill castmates were collectively honored with an Anthem Award by the Webby Awards organization for their social impact work, particularly through reunion events supporting and initiatives. This recognition highlighted the cast's philanthropic efforts, including a 2024 charity basketball game benefiting the V Foundation for . Despite his extensive television career, Lafferty has not received nominations for major industry awards such as the or , a reflection of his selective focus on independent projects and character-driven roles over mainstream acclaim.

References

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