Often cast as the handsome cad and ne’er-do-well, actor Jason George was a staple of urban romantic comedies throughout the 1990’s. Blessed with good looks and a suave, debonair demeanor, George made a career playing unctuous rogues and shallow womanizers in such films as “Barber Shop” (2002) and the TV short-lived series, “Titans” (NBC, 2000) well into the new millennium.

A native of Virginia Beach, VA, Jason Winston George was born on Feb. 9, 1972. A graduate of the University of Virginia, George briefly attended Philadelphia’s Temple University for his post-graduate studies. In late 1996, however, just prior to earning his Master of Fine Arts degree, George attended a casting call that would forever change his life. That year, George won the role of Michael Bourne on the short-lived daytime soap, “Sunset Beach” (NBC, 1997-99). The brainchild of acclaimed primetime hit-maker Aaron Spelling, “Sunset Beach” quickly won a loyal fan following around the world with its unorthodox approach to the soap opera genre. A satiric pastiche of soap conventions, “Sunset Beach” was a guilty pleasure of many critics, including TV Guide critic Jeff Jarvis. Ironically, though the show eventually became a hit with international markets, “Sunset Beach” failed to catch on with American audiences and struggled in the ratings for most of its domestic run.

Not to be discouraged, George continued to slowly make his name with a number of guest appearances in the early part of the next decade. In addition to roles on such primetime offerings as “Roswell” (WB, 1999-2002), “Arli$$”(HBO, 1996-2002) and the afforementioned “Titans,” George also appeared prominently in a number of low-budget features, including 2002’s sci-fi bomb “Clockstoppers” and the mountaineering action-adventure “The Climb” (2002), co-starring Dabney Coleman and Todd Bridges. That same year, George also turned up in a memorable supporting role as Eve’s crassly slick playa’ boyfriend in director Tim Story’s smash hit comedy, “Barber Shop” (2002).

Returning to the small screen a year later, George landed a major role as rap star Status Quo in the British DreamWorks series, "Off Centre” (WB, 2001-02). A short-lived comedy created by Oscar nominated writer-directors Paul and Chris Weitz, “Off Centre” suffered abysmal ratings and was canceled after just one season. Rebounding in 2003, George reunited with former “Barber Shop” castmate, Eve, in her self-titled 2003 sitcom, “Eve” (UPN, 2003- ). Cast again as Eve’s love interest, George shined in a more likeable variation of his usual playboy role. This time, George played a physical therapist named J.T. Hunter, a more mature, introspective character than his previous characters. Eventually, George’s turn as a good guy became so well received that it actually helped the actor break free of his “ladies man” typecasting.

In 2003, George landed his most prominent role to date. Cast as the charismatic Jackson Rhames, George toplined the short-lived, but critically acclaimed urban drama, “Platinum” (UPN, 2003). Set in the modern-day world of hip-hop record producers and flashy music moguls, “Platinum” (created by auteur director Sophia Coppola) attempted to merge primetime soap with contemporary musical trends. Despite near unanimous praise from reviewers, however, “Platinum” was canceled after just one season.