Zachary George Roerig (born February 22, 1985) is an American actor. He is known for playing Casey Hughes in As the World Turns (2005-2007), Hunter Atwood in One Life to Live (2007) and as Matt Donovan in The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017).

Early life

Roerig was born in Montpelier, Ohio, to Andrea and Daniel Roerig. He has a younger sister who was born in 1989. Roerig attended the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Cleveland and went on to participate in the International Modeling and Talent Association where he signed with his late talent manager. He graduated from Montpelier High School where he was both a football player and a wrestler. While he was growing up, Roerig worked for his father and grandfather at Fackler Monuments making gravestones. Shortly after graduating high school, Roerig moved to New York City to pursue his acting career.

Career

Roerig played the role of Casey Hughes on As the World Turns from January 18, 2005, to May 2, 2007. Casey was the son of legacy couple Tom and Margo Hughes and, during his time, Casey was part of a popular couple with Alexandra Chando. After his departure, Roerig accepted a role on the soap One Life to Live, as Hunter Atwood. He departed again later that year. Roerig then made a few appearances on Friday Night Lights as Cash the cowboy. In March 2009, Roerig was cast as Matt Donovan in The CW fantasy supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries, an adaptation of L. J. Smith's novel series of the same name. He was in the show for eight seasons until it ended in 2017. He has also made guest appearances on its spin-offs The Originals and Legacies. In 2017, Roerig appeared as Pulse (Augustus) in the first season of Fox superhero series The Gifted, a television spin off of the X-Men feature film series. In that same year, he co-starred in the third installment of horror film series The Ring and in the comedy drama The Year of Spectacular Men. Roerig was cast as Ray Mott, a younger version of the character played by Ed Harris in the Vietnam War drama film The Last Full Measure, released in January 2020. He also starred in the USA Network drama pilot Dare Me, which was later picked up to series in 2019. The series is based on Megan Abbott's novel of the same name. In May 2023, it was announced that Roerig had joined the main cast of the upcoming Netflix series The Corps, a drama about a gay teenager who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Personal life

Roerig has a daughter who was born in January 2011. In June 2013, Roerig filed legal papers in Georgia, seeking full custody of his daughter after her mother, Roerig's ex-girlfriend Alana Turner, was incarcerated in a federal prison. On May 24, 2020, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Montpelier, Ohio, and was arraigned on June 4 of the same year.

Filmography

Film

Television