Share

Sam Trammell biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Sam Trammell's most recognizable role to date is playing Sam Merlotte on HBO's True Blood.

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

Between 2000 and 2008, Trammell appeared in seven films, such as Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem and Followers.

Career Breakthrough

In 2008, Trammell got his big break in the form of the soon-to-be hit series True Blood, on HBO. Though he references the show as his best television project to date, it started off on an intimidating note. "It's a really nerve-wracking process for everybody. You're doing something that's shot on camera. You're not doing a play, so it's smaller acting, but you're in this room and you have to play to the audience. And, you see the other actors that you're up against, and you also have to sign your contract for a seven-year commitment. It's really heady," he recalls.

In True Blood, Trammell plays Sam Merlotte, a bar owner in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. In this fantastical world of vampires in the Deep South, Sam is a shape-shifter who has a very human crush on the lead female character Sookie Stackhouse, played by Anna Paquin.

In 2009, Trammell was nominated for a Spike Scream Award for best male breakout performance. When a reporter asked about his newfound fame, Trammell said, "I was just in New York for a couple weeks, and that was crazy because you're just walking on the streets and every day people would stop me to say how much they like the show, which was really exciting."

True Blood's Southern gothic motifs connect strongly with Trammell and have allowed him to get back to his roots. "I'm from the South, so I love the Southern world and doing Southern characters, " says Trammell. Shooting on location in Shreveport, Louisiana, the cast ended up filming a scene on Lake Bistineau, land owned at one point by Trammell's great-great-great grandfather.

Though he has said he will ride the True Blood wave as long as Sam Merlotte's character allows, Trammell would eventually like to get back to his acting roots on the small stage. "I haven't done a play in about two and a half years, and I would like to go back and do a play on hiatus, if there's something good out there."

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT
20643437 20643437
profile id: 20643437
profile name: Sam Trammell
profile occupation:
related profile id: 20643437
related profile name: Sam Trammell
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/T/Sam-Tramell--20643437-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/sam-trammell-20643437
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    Sam Trammell's Feed
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!