Josh Hutcherson biography

Synopsis

Early Life and Career

Joshua Ryan Hutcherson was born in Union, Kentucky, on October 12, 1992, the elder of the two sons of Chris and Michelle Hutcherson.

Hutcherson wanted to be an actor since age 4, and when he was 9, his parents consented to take him in for a screen test. He was a natural. His acting coach suggested that his parents take him to Hollywood for pilot season, and he began landing roles almost immediately. He first snagged parts in TV-movies in 2002, along with a guest spot on the TV show ER, and landed a small part in his first feature film, American Splendor, in 2004. The same year, he performed for the motion-capture film The Polar Express.

Commercial Success

Work continued to roll in for Hutcherson. In 2005 he did voice work for the animated film Howl’s Moving Castle and had a minor part in the Hollywood movie Kicking & Screaming with Will Ferrell. He also appeared on screen in his first lead roles in Little Manhattan and Zathura. He was praised for both performances, but although the movies were well-reviewed, they didn’t see much box-office success.

Over the next few years, Hutcherson showcased the range of his talent in a diverse array of films. His next role was as Robin Williams’ son in the goofy comedy RV, followed by the lead in a film adaptation of the fantasy drama Bridge to Terabithia. He appeared in Firehouse Dog, a family flick; the indie drama Winged Creatures; and Journey to the Center of the Earth, a 3-D sci-fi adventure. The vampire film Cirque du Freak, was next, and then in 2010, The Kids Are All Right alongside Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.

Other films, like Detention and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, followed, but it was his role as Peeta Mellark in the 2012 box-office blockbuster The Hunger Games that helped Hutcherson transition from child star to legitimate film actor—and Hollywood heartthrob. The film broke box-office records on opening weekend and launched Hutcherson to even greater heights.

His career shows no signs of slowing down: He will appear in a remake of the 1984 hit Red Dawn, and will reprise his role as Peeta in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, due out in 2013, and has projects booked for several years.

Personal Life

Hutcherson had two homosexual uncles who died of AIDS before he was born, and has become an ardent supporter of gay rights. He works with the nonprofit group Straight But Not Narrow, which uses comedy to positively influence the views that straight teens have of LGBT youth.