Jim Caviezel

He was born James Patrick Caviezel Jr. on September 26, 1968 in Mount Vernon, Washington to parents Margaret and James Caviezel, a homemaker and chiropractor, respectively. He grew up hoping to one day play basketball at the University of Washington. While working towards that goal with a spot on the basketball team at Bellevue Community College, Caviezel's professional sports dreams ended with a sidelining injury. His interests soon drifted elsewhere, including "discovering" the school's acting program. He auditioned for a small part as an Italian ticket agent in Gus Van Sant's “My Own Private Idaho” (1991). He landed the role by fooling casting agents into believing he was a recent Italian immigrant.
Caviezel was best known for his sensitive portrayal of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), though the actor's resume included dozens of other memorable dramatic performances in blockbusters and indie films alike. From his earliest supporting roles in films like Terrence Malick's "The Thin Red Line" (1998), Caviezel was often cast as brooding, deeply pained men like the mourning firefighter who communicates with his dead father in "Frequency" (2000) or the vengeful military reject in "Déjà vu" (2006). With his compelling screen presence and dashing, vintage Hollywood looks, he carried off a successful remake of "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002); likewise making an excellent showing in the remake of the television series "The Prisoner" (AMC, 2009- ), which showcased the actor's forte for playing introspective but imperilled protagonists.