Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois

Moved with family from Chicago to Nebraska

Spotted during his senior year by director Alexander Payne, who was scouting locations for the film "Election"

Made film debut as class president candidate Paul Metzler in Alexander Payne's dark comedy "Election"

Played Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher in the ensemble teen comedy "American Pie"

Appeared opposite Leelee Sobieski in the love story "Here on Earth"

Played a sweet-natured guy who falls in love with a woman he mistakenly comes to think is his sister in "Say It Isn't So"

Reprised role of Oz for "American Pie 2"

Played the lead role in a remake of "Rollerball"

Appeared in the Vietnam-era drama "We Were Soldier"

Co-starred with Ryan Gosling in "The United States of Leland"

Cast in director Roger Kumble's romantic comedy "Just Friends" with Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart

Played Mandy Moore's devoted, dopey boyfriend in Paul Weitz' "American Dreamz"

Co-starred in the action film, "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li"