Todd Essary is an American actor who grew-up in Austin, Texas. He began acting in the theatre, as a hobby, in 1997. Over the next 16 years -- including over a decade spent in New York City -- he took the stage playing numerous starring or featured roles in works ranging from the Classics, to plays by modern masters, as well as avant-garde pieces. By 2013, Todd had returned to Austin and was cast in his first film project, which eventually led him to envision acting onscreen as a career "for the second half of his life." Since that time, he has steadily forged ahead, always working, always finding his way to more significant projects, and usually being cast as a lead or supporting character. Having been a competitive athlete for most of his life, Todd affectionately refers to his time in front of the camera as "game day", and considers acting to be an outlet for that same sort of intensely focused energy. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Texas Lutheran University, Todd's post-graduate studies have included exercise physiology, business and anthropology. The teachers Todd credits most for helping him cultivate his craft as an actor include Bonnie Cullum in Austin, Thomas G. Waites in New York City, and Craig Archibald in Los Angeles. Surfing, cooking, writing and working with horses are among his favorite pastimes. Todd recently returned to live in his hometown of ATX, where he's enjoying spending time at Barton Springs and going to blues concerts at the park.