‘WRITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ Cast Bios
TORREY DEVITTO (Jessica) – Widely known for her leading role in the current NBC drama “Chicago Med,” Torrey DeVitto is a renowned actress, model and musician. “Chicago Med” hails from the same creators of “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” the latest spin-off focusing on the day-to-day chaos of the team of doctors running the ER. DeVitto plays Natalie Manning, a doctor in the ER Pediatrics division. The show has become the most watched program on Wednesday nights from viewers 18-49 and the series is currently in its fifth season.
In 2013, DeVitto was seen as the gorgeous Maggie Hall in the final season of Lifetime’s popular drama, “Army Wives.” She is best known for her stellar recurring roles as Melissa Hastings in the ABC Family/Freeform series “Pretty Little Liars” from 2010 to 2017, Dr. Meredith Fell in The CW fantasy drama “The Vampire Diaries” from 2012 to 2013 and as Carrie in The CW drama “One Tree Hill” from 2008 to 2009
Other notable work includes her roles as Alexandra on the MTV pilot, “Alexandra the Great,” guest-starring on the FBC pilot, “One Big Happy,” guest-starring in “The Untitled Michael Jacobs Pilot” for FBC, and guest-starring on episodes of “Scrubs” (2001), “Dawson's Creek” (1998), “Jack & Bobby (2004), “The King of Queens,” (1998), “ Drake & Josh” (2004), “CSI: Miami” (2002) and “Castle” (2009).
DeVitto booked her first lead on the ABC Family series, “Beautiful People” (2005) as aspiring model Karen Kerr. Her film debut was in Starcrossed (2005), and she has appeared in the 2006 movie sequel, I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006), The Rite (2011) with Anthony Hopkins, Green Flash (2008), Killer Movie (2008), Heber Holiday (2007) and Evidence (2013), starring Stephen Moyer.
Staying true to her love of music, in 2002, DeVitto played violin with the Tommy Davidson Band at the Sunset Room in Hollywood. Her solo performance earned her another standing ovation. She also played violin on Raphael Saadiq’s CD, Ray Ray in 2004, and in 2011, she played on Stevie Nicks’ album In Your Dreams.
DeVitto has been a Hospice Ambassador since 2011, is an Ambassador for the Women’s History Museum, serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN, and works closely with the SAFEBAE Organization, PETA, and the Humane Society, among other organizations.
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CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY (Lucas) – Chad Michael Murray first rose to prominence with fan favorite roles on The WB dramas “Dawson's Creek” and “Gilmore Girls.” He became a household name with his leading role as Lucas Scott in The WB’s hit “One Tree Hill” from 2003- 2012, during which he won three Teen Choice Awards. He showcased his talents as a leading actor playing the outcast-turned-cool-kid throughout his near-decade run. He took position behind the camera as well, both writing and directing an episode of the series.”
Murray can currently be seen reprising his role as Edgar Evernever in the fourth season of The CW hit “Riverdale.” His character was introduced in season three as the enigmatic leader of a cult-like Farm, attempting to spread his teachings and heal the ravaged soul of the once- wholesome town of Riverdale.
This year, Murray portrayed Atticus Virtue in the family sci-fi thriller Max Winslow and the House of Secrets, which told the story of five teenagers who competed to win a mansion owned by entrepreneur and scientist, Virtue. In 2020, he will co-star in the action film The Long Night alongside Bruce Willis and Lydia Hull.
Murray starred in feature films ranging from the romantic comedies A Cinderella Story, as the romantic lead opposite Hilary Duff, and Freaky Friday opposite Lindsay Lohan, to the horror movie House of Wax, for which he won another Teen Choice Award. He took on dramatic feature film work in the war drama Home of the Brave alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel, and with a lead role in the critically acclaimed drama Fruitvale Station opposite Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer. Following, he starred in the drama Other People's Children and the western Outlaws and Angels.
Murray also has published two novels: Everlast, released in 2011, and American Drifter: An Exhilarating Tale of Love and Murder, co-authored by Heather Graham, published in 2017.
Murray is a native of New York, and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
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LOLITA DAVIDOVICH (Aunt Lila) – Lolita Davidovich recently shot ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder” and could also be seen as Kitty Menendez on “Law & Order: True Crime – The Menendez Murders,” a limited series for NBC and Dick Wolf productions. She has appeared as Ray Liotta’s wife on NBC’s “Shades of Blue” as well as in The Longest Ride, based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel for FOX, where she played opposite Scott Eastwood as his mother. In addition, Davidovich has appeared in the second season of HBO’s “True Detective” as Taylor Kitsch’s character’s mother. She also portrayed Joan Collins’ Alexis Colby-type ex-wife of Don Johnson’s character in ABC’s “Blood & Oil.”
Known for her breakthrough title role as Blaze Starr in the film Blaze, opposite Paul Newman, Davidovich received a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination. She later had starring roles in films that include Leap of Faith, Raising Cain, Intersection, Cobb, Jungle 2 Jungle, Gods and Monsters, Mystery Alaska, and Play It to the Bone.
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GRANT SHOW (Tom) – In The CW’s new drama “Dynasty,” Grant Show plays Blake Carrington, the handsome, intimidating billionaire businessman who is as charming as he is fierce. The character hails from a conservative family and is often challenged by his children, Fallon and Steven, as well as his newly minted fiancée, Cristal.
Born in Detroit, Michigan but raised in San Jose, California, Show developed a passion for acting at an early age. He majored in theater arts at UCLA and starred in “Ryan’s Hope” before taking a break to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Show’s television credits include series regular roles on “Devious Maids,” “Melrose Place,” “Satisfaction,” “Swingtown,” “Accidentally on Purpose,” “Private Practice,” “Big Love” and “The Family.” He has recurred on such shows as “Strong Medicine,” “Beautiful People,” “Dirt,” “Six Feet Under” and “Point Pleasant.”
In addition, Show has guest starred on shows such as “CSI,” “Burn Notice,” “Criminal Minds” “The Exes,” “Arli$$,” “Ed,” “UC Undercover,” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” among others.
Show has also done theater work, playing Terry Malloy in the first-ever stage production of On The Waterfront, Doctor Jason Posner in the off-Broadway Pulitzer Prize-winner, Wit, and he also had roles in The Gentleman Caller, as well as in The Glass Menagerie with Elizabeth Ashley at The Alley Theatre in Houston.
Show currently resides in Los Angeles.
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DREW SEELEY (Jax) – Drew Seeley is a six-time platinum singer/songwriter and actor based in Los Angeles. On Broadway he has starred in Jersey Boys as Bob Gaudio, the key board player and backup vocal of The Four Seasons. He also portrayed Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. A true theater actor, Seeley also starred in the North and South American tours of High School Musical: The Concert as Troy Bolton, and he was in the film Another Cinderella Story, opposite Selena Gomez.
Seeley is no stranger to the Hallmark family. He starred opposite Chelsea Kane in the Hallmark Channel original movie “A Christmas for the Books,” and he played a struggling single father in the network’s “Freshman Father.” Seeley also contributed original music to three Hallmark films.
As a songwriter, Seeley has written and performed on more than 10 Disney soundtracks, penned singles for artists from Denmark to South Korea, and was nominated for an Emmy® for co-writing High School Musical’s “Getcha Head in the Game.” His debut album The Resolution is available online and at his website www.DrewSeeley.com.
Seeley lives in sunny California with his dog Astro, daughter Ember, and his amazing wife, actress Amy Paffrath.
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