Jonny Weston

Jonny Weston first discovered acting when he needed to fill a gap in his class schedule. The South Carolina native was enrolled at the University of South Carolina when he decided to drop a chemistry class from his course load.

Looking to fill the vacant spot left by the class, he decided impulsively to try an acting course offered through the theater department. Immediately smitten with the craft, Weston wasted no time quitting school and moving to New York City at the age of 19 in the hopes of pursuing a professional acting career.

The scene was tough in New York, however, and despite landing a role alongside Marcia Gay Harden in the drama "Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You" (2011), Weston had such trouble finding work that he took to couch-surfing in the Brooklyn apartments of his friends.

Fate intervened, however, when an audition tape he'd made found its way into the hands of a West Coast agent. The agent contacted Weston and convinced him to relocate to Los Angeles. The actor followed this advice, and soon snagged roles in sleeper hits like "John Dies at the End" (2012), "About Cherry" (2012), and "Caroline and Jackie" (2012).

More mainstream success followed when Weston was cast as legendary surfer Jay Moriarty in the biopic "Chasing Mavericks" (2012). Having surfed on South Carolina's Folly Beach as a teenager, Weston knew the challenges that the part would present.

He commenced training with such surfing masters as Brock Little and Bob Pearson. Co-star Gerard Butler was injured during the course of filming the movie's difficult stunts, but Weston emerged unscathed. Weston's big break came when he starred alongside Juliette Lewis in the intimate drama "Kelly & Cal" (2014), which received positive reviews.