Nicholas D'Agosto on AllMovie

At first sight, actor Nicholas D'Agosto may give one the impression of a young Robert De Niro -- confident and charismatic seemingly beyond his years -- and with an impressive list of credits, the frequent television actor may be well on his way to becoming as versatile as the seasoned screen veteran himself. It was through competitive speech tournaments and improv classes in grade school that the Omaha native first discovered his passion for acting, and after winning a role in Alexander Payne's critically acclaimed comedy Election while still a senior at Creighton Preparatory School, D'Agosto knew for certain he had found his calling. But while acting was a top priority, D'Agosto was determined to finish his education before committing himself entirely to the craft. Over the course of the next four years, he studied history and theater at Marquette University in Milwaukee, during which time he performed in numerous plays in addition to helping originate the Milwaukee avant-garde acting troupe Theater X. It was toward the end of D'Agosto's stint at Marquette University that he decided to study poverty and race in the Dominican Republic for a semester, and after graduating cum laude, the aspiring star set his sights on Los Angeles.

In the following years, D'Agosto landed roles on some of the small screen's biggest dramas, including ER, Six Feet Under, House, and Without a Trace. In 2007, he could be seen in on the big screen in no less than three films: Rocket Science, Drive-Thru, and LA Blues. And D'Agosto's star was most certainly on the rise when he was cast on the hit series Heroes as a new love interest -- with a superpower of his own -- for indestructible cheerleader Claire (Hayden Panettiere).