ACTOR BIO

Born and raised in Kansas City, Eric Stonestreet grew up far from the bright lights of Los Angeles. As a young man raising pigs, he never would have imagined that he would end up an actor in Los Angeles. But while at Kansas State University, studying to be a prison administrator, a friend dared him to audition for the play Prelude to a Kiss. Stonestreet was cast in the play (in the smallest role) and was, as they say, bitten by the bug.

After graduating with a degree in Sociology, he moved to Chicago to study and perform theatre and improv, spending two years doing television commercials and studying with IO Chicago and The Second City before moving further west. While he continued doing commercial work, Stonestreet built an impressive resume of memorable characters on shows including Dharma & Greg, Malcolm in the Middle, Party of Five, Spin City, ER, The West Wing, American Dad, Providence, Close to Home, Crossing Jordan and Bones. His most notable character is from his recurring turn as Ronnie Litre, the questionable documents tech on the original CSI. Stonestreet was a series regular in the Fox pilot 13 Graves and has most recently guest starred in The Mentalist, NCIS, Nip/Tuck and Pushing Daisies.

On the big screen he played Sheldon, the hotel desk clerk, in Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous, and in 2003 he starred in IFC'S cult classic Girls Will Be Girls, which was an official selection to the Sundance Film Festival.

Over his 13 year career, Stonestreet is most proud of the friends he's made along the way and thankful for the support and encouragement he's had from his mother and father. He considers himself "just a guy from Kansas who is fortunate enough to have opportunities to be on TV"

In his spare time he enjoys playing the drums, taking pictures, driving and nature. He shares his success and Valley Village, California home with his best friend and right-hand man, Coleman Hawkins, his dog.