Moved to Los Angeles after college

Earned positive notice from critics by starring in the play "Search and Destroy," which he also co-directed

Made his feature debut in the critically panned gross-out comedy "National Lampoon's Senior Trip"

Had a recurring role as a former puritan turned menacing vampire on the popular WB series "Angel"

Portrayed serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in the biopic "Dahmer"; earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actor

Co-starred in the big budget action film adapation of the 70s crime drama "S.W.A.T."

Appeared in J.T. LeRoy's screen adaptation of his story collection "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things"

Co-starred with Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand in Niki Caro's "North Country"

Cast in Michael Cuesta's sophomore feature "Twelve and Holding"

Played a heroic soldier guiding two children to safety in "28 Weeks Later"

Played a member of the James gang in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

Starred in "The Hurt Locker," about an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team in present day Iraq (released theatrically in 2009); earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Male Lead