Eric Winter had already become a recognizable presence on both daytime and primetime television, largely due to his appearances in a variety of well-known shows. Frequently cast in romantic roles, Winter showcased his talents in series such as Days of Our Lives (NBC, 1965– ), The Mentalist (CBS, 2008–15), and Witches of East End (Lifetime, 2013–14). Born Eric Barrett Winter on July 17, 1976, in La Mirada, California, he initially gained exposure through modeling, including a notable television advertisement for Britney Spears’ fragrance “Curious,” before shifting his focus toward acting.
Before landing steady roles, Winter appeared in numerous episodic series as a guest star, gradually building his on-screen presence. He eventually secured the role of Rex Brady on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, where he remained until 2005. Following his departure, he continued to make appearances on the show while also exploring other opportunities. For a time, he joined the main cast of the ill-fated musical series Viva Laughlin (CBS, 2007) and took on a recurring part in Wildfire (ABC Family, 2005–08), portraying a doomed bull rider.
During this phase of his career, Winter also appeared as the love interest of Matthew Rhys’ character on Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 2006–2011), and played a deceitful friend in the comedy Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2009). In 2010, he took on a recurring role in The Mentalist as an FBI agent with ulterior motives, a role he played for two years. After that, he appeared in GCB (ABC, 2011–2012), a short-lived Texas-set drama, and later became a series regular in the supernatural series Witches of East End. In that show, he portrayed Dash Gardiner, a warlock engaged to Jenna Dewan-Tatum’s character, who finds herself entangled in a complex love triangle between Dash and his brother Killian, played by Daniel DiTomasso.
So, when it comes to Eric Winter’s film career, there are definitely some standout moments—and a few that didn’t quite hit the mark. Eric Winter’s most acclaimed performance came in Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay back in 2008, which ended up being Eric Winter’s highest-rated movie by far. Fans and critics alike seemed to really enjoy his role in that one, giving it solid ratings overall. On the flip side, not every project turned out as strong. In fact, Eric Winter’s lowest-rated film to date is The Ugly Truth from 2009. While the movie had its audience, it just didn’t resonate as well, especially compared to Eric Winter’s other work. So, whether you’re looking at highs or lows, Eric Winter has certainly had a varied journey in Hollywood.