Born Matthew Fox on July 14, 1966 in Crowheart, Wyoming, the all-American actor grew up raising horses on his family's ranch, and later moved to New York to play football at Columbia University and major in economics.

Rather than make his next planned stopped at a Wall Street brokerage firm, Fox was convinced to try his hand at modeling and quickly veered into an acting career.

TV bit parts followed, on such hits as the popular sitcom, Wings and a starring role in the 1992 short-lived comedy, Freshmen Dorm.

After less than memorable performances in made-for-television features, Fox's big break came in the late 90's with his starring role as Charlie Salinger in Party of Five.

Upon the hit show's cancellation, the actor's career floundered, until most recently cast in the role of Jack in 2004 in the hit ABC drama, Lost in which he plays reluctant leader to a group of travelers abandoned on a deserted island.

  "Lost" (2004) TV Series .... Dr. Jack Shephard
A Token for Your Thoughts (2003) .... Rock star
"Haunted" (2002) TV Series .... Frank Taylor
Behind the Mask (1999) (TV) .... James Jones
"Party of Five" (1994) TV Series .... Charlie Salinger
If I Die Before I Wake (1993) (TV) .... Charlie Deevers
My Boyfriend's Back (1993) .... Buck Van Patten
"Freshman Dorm" (1992) TV Series .... Danny Foley