Jason Behr, with his signature brown hair and a unique blend of classic All-American charm mixed with a moody, punk-inspired edge, first truly captured audiences’ attention in a leading role on the sci-fi drama “Roswell.” Airing first on The WB from 1999 to 2001 and later moving to UPN for its final season, the series followed Jason Behr as Max Evans, one of three aliens living undercover as ordinary high school students. Unlike typical alien invasion tales, “Roswell” leaned more into emotional storytelling—think “Dawson’s Creek” meets extraterrestrial secrecy rather than a full-blown “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” scenario. The trio had managed to stay hidden since their spaceship crash-landed in 1947, blending seamlessly into small-town life until Jason Behr’s character made a fateful decision: using his otherworldly abilities to save the life of his crush after she was accidentally shot. That single act of heroism, while noble, exposed their secret and thrust them into constant danger.
From that moment on, the series balanced high-stakes government conspiracies with the everyday trials of teenage life—romance, friendship, identity—all while Jason Behr portrayed Max Evans as both a tender-hearted lover and a reluctant leader. It was this duality that helped define Jason Behr’s performance and solidified his place in early 2000s teen television. But long before he became Max Evans, Jason Behr had already dipped his toes into The WB universe. Back in 1997, he made a guest appearance on the wildly popular “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,” showcasing his range even in smaller roles. Then, during the 1998–1999 season, Jason Behr returned to the network in a recurring role on “Dawson’s Creek” as Chris, a confident yet slightly awkward jock and sidekick to the famously annoying Abby. These earlier appearances helped pave the way for Jason Behr’s breakout turn in “Roswell,” where he proved he could carry a series with depth, charisma, and a quietly intense screen presence.
When it comes to Jason Behr’s film career, there are definitely some standout moments—and a few that didn’t quite hit the mark. If we’re talking about Jason Behr’s highest rated movie, it’s got to be The Shipping News from 2001. That one really showcased his talent and earned a lot of praise from both critics and audiences alike. On the flip side, Jason Behr’s lowest rated film tends to come up as Skinwalkers (2006), which, while interesting in concept, just didn’t resonate as well with viewers. So overall, Jason Behr has had his peaks and valleys, but his performance in The Shipping News remains a strong highlight in his body of work.