Model-turned-actor Colton Haynes captured the hearts of millions with his rugged good looks and undeniable bad boy charm. It’s no surprise that Colton Haynes quickly rose to fame, turning heads not just on runways but also on television screens around the world. His journey began in front of the camera as a sought-after model, appearing in major advertising campaigns for iconic brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Ralph Lauren—work that helped put Colton Haynes on the map long before he transitioned into acting.
Even though he started young, Colton Haynes always had big dreams. Born on July 13, 1988, in Wichita, Kansas, he spent his early years growing up on a farm in Andale before moving frequently with his family across states like Arkansas, New Mexico, Florida, and Texas. Despite the constant changes, Colton Haynes stood out wherever he went—whether it was earning the “Gatorade Player of the Year” award for tennis during his junior year or being nominated Prom King at his Texas high school. These early accomplishments hinted at the kind of charisma and presence that would later define his career.
At just 15 years old, Colton Haynes moved to New York City to pursue modeling full-time. With his intense gaze and dark, brooding features, he became a favorite among top photographers like Bruce Weber and landed gigs with J.C. Penney, Ralph Lauren, and editorial spreads in publications such as XY magazine, Teen Vogue, and Arena. But while modeling brought him recognition, Colton Haynes had his sights set on something bigger—acting.
His first steps into Hollywood were small but significant. He made an uncredited appearance in Michael Bay’s blockbuster Transformers (2007), playing a young man in a café—a blink-and-you-miss-it role that nonetheless marked the beginning of his onscreen journey. That same year, Colton Haynes earned a speaking part on CSI: Miami, followed by a cameo on MTV’s popular series The Hills. These appearances helped build momentum, and soon he was guest-starring on critically acclaimed shows like Pushing Daisies and the short-lived reboot of Melrose Place. He even took on a supporting role in the Hallmark Channel TV movie Always and Forever alongside Dean McDermott and Barbara Eden.
Then came the role that truly introduced Colton Haynes to mainstream audiences—Brett Crezski on ABC’s supernatural drama The Gates (2010). Playing a high school jock who transforms into a werewolf fit Colton Haynes like a glove. The show, centered around a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood filled with vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings, boasted a strong cast including Rhona Mitra and Frank Grillo. Though The Gates was canceled after only one season due to low ratings, it served as a major launching pad for Colton Haynes’ career, cementing his status as Hollywood’s next “It” boy.
Not one to miss a beat, Colton Haynes dove right back into the supernatural genre in 2011 when he joined the cast of MTV’s reimagining of the 1985 cult classic Teen Wolf. In this version, he played Jackson Whittemore, a lacrosse star and close friend to the main character, Scott McCall (played by Tyler Posey), whose life changes after being bitten by a werewolf. Colton Haynes brought depth and complexity to the role, showcasing his range beyond just good looks and helping establish himself as a versatile and emerging talent in the industry.
After two seasons, Colton Haynes made the decision to leave Teen Wolf—not to step away from acting, but to take on an even more prominent role. He joined the CW superhero series Arrow (2013– ) as Roy Harper, also known as Arsenal, a fan-favorite character from the DC Comics universe. This role allowed Colton Haynes to explore grittier, more layered storytelling and further solidify his place in the world of genre television.
Between television commitments, Colton Haynes continued expanding his resume with appearances in major films. He appeared in the disaster thriller San Andreas (2015), starring Dwayne Johnson, and later lent his comedic timing to the female-led ensemble film Rough Night (2017). Around the same time, he took on a recurring role in American Horror Story: Cult (FX, 2017), proving once again that Colton Haynes could thrive in diverse and demanding roles across genres.
From his early days as a teenage model in New York to becoming a recognizable face on both the big and small screen, Colton Haynes has consistently evolved as an artist. With each project, he’s demonstrated that there’s much more beneath the surface than just chiseled features and charm. Today, Colton Haynes stands not only as a beloved actor but as a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and staying true to one’s ambitions.
When it comes to Colton Haynes, his most acclaimed film to date is definitely San Andreas (2015), which stands out as Colton Haynes’s highest-rated movie by both critics and audiences. The action-packed blockbuster really showcased what Colton Haynes could bring to the big screen, even in a supporting role. On the other hand, Colton Haynes’s lowest rated film appears to be Bigger (2018), a biographical drama that, while interesting in premise, didn’t quite resonate the same way. So, if you’re looking at Colton Haynes’s filmography from a ratings perspective, San Andreas shines as the top performer, while Bigger falls on the lower end. Still, it’s worth noting that Colton Haynes continues to take on diverse roles, and each project adds something unique to his growing body of work.