Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum burst onto the Hollywood scene in a big way with the release of the theatrical feature, “Step Up” (2006). The former model-turned-actor had earned a few movie credits prior to its release, but “Step Up” helped thrust him into the spotlight, thanks to its high-energy dance scenes and teen-friendly romance with co-star Jenna Dewan. Of course, Tatum’s chiseled looks and dance skills certainly helped sell both him and the picture to its youthful audience.

Born April 26, 1980 in the small Alabama town of Cullman, and raised in Mississippi, Tatum bounced around between several career choices before settling into acting. He played numerous sports while in school and excelled at football and martial arts, but frequently found himself on the wrong side of the school administration’s rule; by ninth grade, he was sent to military school to work on his discipline problems. While there, he developed his football skills to such a degree, that he was accepted to college in West Virginia on a sports scholarship. However, Tatum never meshed with higher learning, departing to find work in construction and as a mortgage loan officer. He also further developed a passion for dancing – something he first enjoyed at Latin birthday parties in his hometown.

It was during this period that Tatum was approached by a talent agent about print modeling. He pursued the idea, and beginning in 2002, Tatum worked for such noted clients as Armani and Abercrombie and Fitch. He soon moved into television commercials, landing national spots for Mountain Dew and Pepsi. Though his first screen appearance had occurred back in 2000 (he had been cast as a dancer in Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” video), his first acting role came in four years later in a supporting role for a 2004 episode of “CSI: Miami” (CBS, 2002- ). His interest piqued, Tatum began pursuing acting full-time, finding himself in the 2005 Samuel L. Jackson school drama, “Coach Carter” (He also appeared in the video for Twista’s song “Hope,” which was heard on the film’s soundtrack). Supporting roles in two largely unseen features – the extreme sports action flick “Supercross” (2005) and “Havoc” (2005), which received most of its notices due to star Anne Hathaway’s nude scenes – preceded an uncredited bit part in Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds” (2005). Tatum subsequently auditioned for the role of mutant hero Gambit in “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006). Though the role was eventually dropped from the script, producer Lauren Shuler-Donner saw Tatum’s star potential and cast him as the romantic lead opposite Amanda Bynes in the charming teen comedy “She’s The Man” (2006), which transplanted Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to a high school campus.

That same year, Tatum played a rebellious hip-hop dancer who must partner with a ballerina-in-training (played by Tatum’s real-life romantic partner, Jenna Dewan; the pair began dating shortly after the film wrapped in 2005) in “Step Up.” Despite largely negative reviews, the film succeeded with young audiences (thanks to a substantial advertising campaign and Tatum and Dewan’s appearance on the very popular Fox series “So You Think You Can Dance” 2005- ), making Tatum a pin-up worthy performer in the eyes of many female moviegoers.

Tatum continued his hot streak with his next film project, the much talked-about crime drama, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” (2006), starring Robert Downey Jr. and Shia LaBeouf. Tatum shared a Special Jury Prize with his castmates at the Sundance Film Festival, where the film also took home the Director’s Prize.

Filmography

Havoc (2006)
NickShe's the Man (2006)
DukeStep Up (2006)
Tyler GageA Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Young AntonioCoach Carter (2005)
Jason LyleSupercross: The Movie (2005)
Rowdy SparksBattle in Seattle Johnson
Untitled Kimberly Pierce Project