Studied at the Neighborhood playhouse and HB studios in New York. Is a Charter member of the Kent Klineman studio in Los Angeles.
Worked as a carpenters apprentice for 3 years and on an all Irish demolition crew in New York's Hells Kitchen while attending acting school.
Has narrowly escaped death twice. first in a near fatal car accident with his father on the Oregon coast in 1996, rolling end over end 3 times. Second, Nick Nearly froze to death in January of 2000 stowed away on a freight car from Missoula to Helena Montana.
Is an AmSat certified teacher of The Alexander Technique.
Is a surfer, huge Pearl Jam fan and singer songwriter himself.