A native of Santa Cruz, CA, who was born in 1973, actor Adam Scott first encountered acting in elementary school, on a decidedly negative note (thanks to a not-so-pleasant experience in a science play), but by mid-adolescence changed his views about the craft and aggressively pursued a career in drama. He applied, and was accepted to, the American Academy of Dramatic Art in Pasadena, then made the short move west to Hollywood with several buddies. The actor took his bow with a guest bit on the series Dead at 21, and thereafter largely divided his time between television and the theatrical stage. In the television venue, guest roles followed on series including ER and NYPD Blue, as well as a recurring parts on Murder One, Party of Five, and on the Friday-night ABC sitcom Boy Meets World as high school senior Griff Hawkins.
Scott moved into features in the late '90s and scored supporting roles in A-list Hollywood features; thereafter, the roles arrived quickly and furiously. Projects included Payback (1997), The Aviator (2004), Art School Confidential (2006), Knocked Up (2007), and Step Brothers (2008). Small-screen enthusiasts may also remember Scott for his role as Palek, one of the troubled husbands on the racy HBO relationship drama series Tell Me You Love Me (2007). He appeared in Step Brothers, but started to generate buzz as the lead in the made for cable comedy series Party Down. He joined the cast of Parks and Recreation in that show's second season which led quickly to roles in a number of big-screen comedies including Leap Year, Our Idiot Brother, and Friends With Kids.
