Eddie Kaye Thomas on AllMovie

Actor Eddie Kay Thomas first rose to national prominence for his work in the teen comedy hit American Pie, but Thomas' background and resumé are a good bit more varied and distinguished than that credit might lead one to expect. Eddie Kay Thomas was born in New York City on October 31, 1980, and won his first stage role at the age of seven. By the time Thomas graduated from New York's Professional Children's High School, he was already a seasoned veteran of the Broadway stage, appearing in Four Baboons Adoring the Sun in 1992 and The Diary of Anne Frank (opposite Natalie Portman) in 1997. Thomas made his screen debut in 1996, appearing in an episode of the TV series Law and Order (it was the first of three appearances on the show for Thomas), as well as landing a small role in the independent feature Illtown. In 1999, Thomas made a strong impression in the otherwise poorly received horror opus The Rage: Carrie 2, and also appeared in James Toback's controversial Black and White, but from a commercial standpoint the highlight of Thomas' year was American Pie, in which he gave a memorable comic performance as the uptight would-be continental hipster Finch. In 2000, Thomas was cast as the mischievous Russell on the WB sitcom Brutally Normal, which unfortunately lasted a mere five weeks before being canceled by network brass. The following year found Thomas back in the sitcom harness, playing Mike on the series Off Center, which was executive produced by Chris and Paul Weitz, who produced and directed American Pie. That same year, the Weitz brothers brought Thomas back to re-create the role of Finch in American Pie 2, while gross-out comic Tom Green tapped Thomas to play the title role in his first directorial effort, Freddie Got Fingered. The third chapter in the American Pie series, entitled American Wedding, was soon to follow in 2003.