Biography
Actor Jason Biggs displayed a solid comic timing and likable underdog presence with his 1999 breakthrough role in the teen summer comedy "American Pie" that led to comparisons with offbeat comic turned box office draw Adam Sandler, his short dark hair and vaguely startled expression making the likeness all the more apparent. Starting out as a child actor at age five, the New Jersey native appeared in the 1991 Seattle run and early Broadway previews of Herb Gardner's award-winning "Conversations With My Father" before scoring a regular role as difficult student Willie Trancus for a partial season of the Dabney Coleman vehicle "Drexell's Class" (Fox, 1991) at age 13. That same year he made his film debut with a small role in the psychodrama "The Boy Who Cried Bitch." In 1994, Biggs took on the role of troubled teen Pete Wendall on the CBS daytime drama "As the World Turns," his performance earning him a Daytime Emmy nomination. A recurring role on the short-lived "Total Security" (ABC, 1997) followed, but despite his healthy number of credits, the actor was still a virtual unknown when cast in "American Pie." Biggs would gain notice for his portrayal of one of four friends desperate to lose their virginity before graduation in the Weitz brothers' modern retread of a 1980s favorite, the teen sex comedy. His questionable treatment of dessert food inspired the cheeky title, with the memorable scene featured in a racy trailer that grabbed the attention of many a wily teenager, insuring a good bit of summer business. The film was a rousing box office success, and more surprisingly, the equal parts raunchy and heartfelt film was generally praised by critics. Biggs gave an impressive performance, realistically and humorously evincing adolescent awkwardness. Biggs became recognizable to moviegoers due to his turn as Jim in "American Pie," but slimming down and taking on several other projects would keep him from getting stuck in the typecasting rut. The actor next hit the big screen as Hunter, a confident but goofy, sex-obsessed student in the college-set comedy "Boys and Girls" (2000) Co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Claire Forlani, the film didn't receive the business or acclaim that Biggs' previous outing had, but it was a minor hit with the target teen audience and helped the actor (here outfitted in trendy clothes and sporting ever-changing dyed hair) prove his versatility. Later that summer he could be seen with a starring turn in Amy Heckerling's "Loser," another college comedy featuring Biggs as Paul, a sheltered Midwesterner who arrives at New York University only to be saddled with the loser label by his nasty roommates. Paul finds companionship and sympathy in "American Pie" co-star Mena Suvari's Dora in this charming film that celebrated the underdog. That same year, Biggs lensed his first co-starring role in a drama feature, playing a love interest to Christina Ricci's Elizabeth Wurtzel in the long-delated "Prozac Nation," a film adaptation of the popular memoir about one young woman's struggle with chronic depression. On a lighter note, he would star alongside proven funnymen Steve Zahn and Jack Black in Dennis Dugan's comedy "Saving Silverman" (also lensed in 2000), reportedly earning $1.75 million for his work. Biggs reprised the character of Jim Levinstein for "American Pie 2" (2001), rejoining his castmates for a second helping of pastry, this time centered around Jim's relationship with freaky band camp girl Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and following a stint on Broadway opposite Alicia Silverstone and Kathleen Turner in a well-received stage production of the 1960s film classic "The Graduate," Biggs returned for a third and supposedly final outing as Jim in sequel "American Wedding" (2003), in which his character finally heads to the altar with his flute playing bride. Biggs also assumed the Woody Allen-esque lead role in the Allen film "Anything Else" (2003), stammering and fretting his way Allen-style as a young writer caught in a torturous relationship with a neurotic actress (Christina Ricci). After co-starring in Kevin Smith's "Jersey Girl" (2004), Biggs had the lead in dark war comedy "Guy X" (2005) and romantic comedy "Wedding Daze" (2006), and appeared in survival drama "Eight Below" (2008) and Eva Longoria-starring romantic comedy "Over Her Dead Body" (2008). Another romantic comedy starring role, in "My Best Friend's Girl" (2008), following, as well as a reunion with Longoria in the school teacher comedy "Lower Learning" (2008). After starring in political comedy "Grassroots" (2011), Biggs returned to the franchise that made him a star by starring in "American Reunion" (2012). Biggs then moved to television as Larry Bloom, fiancé of main character Piper Chapman in the comedy-drama "Orange is the New Black" (Netflix 2013- ). On the big screen, Biggs starred in Hollywood satire "Amateur Night" (2016) and appeared in indie drama "Who We Are Now" (2017) and political satire "Dear Dictator" (2018).
