Justin Baldoni was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Medford, Oregon. He was a soccer and track standout in high school, as well as a radio disc jockey at a Medford Oregon KISS FM affiliate. He was offered a place on the Division I Long Beach State track team his freshman year, but a hamstring injury left him unable to compete. He left Long Beach for Los Angeles where, while moving into a new apartment building, he met a manager who advised him to pursue a career in acting.
Soon after, Baldoni booked a series regular role on the WB’S “Everwood,” in which her played Reid Bardem, a medical student and love interest for Amy Abbott (Emily VanCamp), who was secretly battling depression. Reid was the first character on the WB to attempt (unsuccessfully) suicide, giving the show a platform to discuss the effects and consequences of depression. Baldoni later filmed PSAs urging teens battling the disease to seek professional help.
He starred in a recurring arc on NBC’s “Heroes” and can be seen in “Knuckle Daggers,” “The Lost Tribe,” “Unrequited” and most recently as the former “wonder boy of Wall Street” Barry Minkow, opposite James Caan and Ving Rhames, in “Minkow.” Baldoni also starred in VH1’s “Single Ladies” and the made for television mini-series event “Blackout.”
Baldoni has recently establish himself as one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming directors, having directed campaigns for Warner Borthers, Island Def Jam, Decca, and Universal Records with artists including Jason Derulo, Brendan James, Bobby Valentino and Snoop Dogg. In 2008, Baldoni wrote, produced, and directed a music video called “ARMED” performed by Bahai musician Devon Gundry that was selected and won the Audience Choice Awards at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival.
He has also directed short film/web series for Warner Brothers artist Jason Derulo and Island Def Jam artist Romance on a Rocketship as well as various music videos for Brendan James and most recently rising star S-Curve artist Andy Grammer.
