Shane West (birth name Shannon Bruce Snaith; born June 10, 1978) is an American actor, musician and songwriter. West has played Eli Sammler in Once and Again, Landon Carter with Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember, and Dr. Ray Barnett in ER. He's currently starring as Michael in The CW's action drama Nikita.
Early Life[]
Shane West was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of Leah Catherine (née Launey) and Don Snaith, both of whom were musicians. He has a younger sister Simone and a much younger half-sister Marli Ann. His parents divorced in 1982. At the age of 10, West moved to California temporarily with his mother and younger sister Simone. He is of Cajun French descent through his mother.
Career[]
West has had regular roles in the television series ER as Dr. Ray Barnett and Once and Again as Eli Sammler and had a small appearance in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the episode "Go Fish" and a leading role as Landon Carter opposite Mandy Moore in the film A Walk to Remember.
West won the Young Hollywood Award Male Superstar of Tomorrow in 2002. West also won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Chemistry with Mandy Moore for the film A Walk to Remember.
In Music[]
He has performed with The Germs and is the lead singer of the punk rock band "Jonny Was"