Patrick J. Adams

Patrick J. Adams
Adams at a promotional event of Suits, 2013
Born	Patrick Johannes Adams[1] (1981-08-27) 27 August 1981 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Alma mater	University of Southern California
Occupation	Actor Photographer
Years active	2001–present
Partner(s)	Troian Bellisario (2010–present; engaged)

Patrick Johannes Adams (born August 27, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for playing Mike Ross, a brilliant college dropout turned lawyer in USA Network's hit TV series Suits.^[2] He is also an avid photographer, and many of his photos got much more recognition after Suits' Behind The Lens and #PJAGallery events.^[3]

Early life and education

Adams was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His father is journalist Claude Adams.^[4] He attended Northern Secondary School.^[5] Following his parents' divorce, Adams moved from Toronto, Canada to Los Angeles, United States at age 19, where he attended the University of Southern California, earning a theatre degree.^[5] After earning the Jack Nicholson Award in 2004, which provided scholarships directly funded by the eponymous actor to outstanding performers at the school, Adams earned his bachelor of fine arts in theater and immediately began working on a production of Edward Albee's "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?" at the Mark Taper Forum, which later earned an Ovation Award.

Acting career

Television

Adams appeared in episodes of the U.S. series Cold Case and Jack and Bobby, and has since had roles in Lost, Friday Night Lights, Without a Trace, Commander in Chief, Heartland, Ghost Whisperer, NCIS, Cupid, Luck, Raising the Bar and Suits.^[6] He starred as twin brothers in the 2008 ABC pilot Good Behavior, executive produced by Rob Thomas. In 2009, he signed for the male lead in the one hour drama The Dealership, starring opposite Tricia Helfer and William Devane.^[7]

Adams' television appearances grew over the next few years, from guest appearances on Numb3rs to a recurring role as a love interest for Adrianne Palicki on Friday Night Lights and leads in TV features like the romantic comedy Christmas in Boston.

In 2007, he moved up to guest appearances on top-rated shows like Lost, where he played a young man who sought out John Locke (Terry O'Quinn), while maintaining his presence in the Los Angeles theater scene, most notably with an award-winning production of "Marat/Sade," which he produced and directed for the Blue House Theatre Company.^[8]

Adams guest starred in the ABC Family hit show Pretty Little Liars, in the 5th episode; "Reality Bites Me" as Ezra Fitz's college friend, Hardy. In summer 2011, he began starring in the co-lead role of Mike Ross in Suits on the basic-cable USA Network, after being fired from the pilot of NBC’s Friends With Benefits.^[9] He appeared in HBO's 2012 TV series Luck as recurring character Nathan Israel.^[10]

Film

His work in film includes supporting roles in Old School and Two: Thirteen, and lead roles in Weather Girl (a 2009 Slamdance entry) and the 2009 Berlin Film Festival competitor Rage, directed by Sally Potter.

Personal life

Adams met Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario in 2009 when they were cast opposite each other in the play Equivocation.^[11] Prior to his appearance on Pretty Little Liars, Adams and Bellisario had broken up; but, after Adams' guest appearance on Pretty Little Liars, the two have since gotten back together.^[12][13]

Adams was awarded Honorary Life Membership of UCD Law Society in September 2013.^[14][15][16]

He plays the guitar and is also an avid photographer who owns over 25 cameras.^[17]

On February 24, 2014, it was confirmed that Bellisario and Adams had become engaged.^[18]

Filmography

Notes

External links

• Patrick J. Adams at the Internet Movie Database
• Patrick Adams
• Patrick J. Adams on Twitter