AUSTIN BASIS
as J.T. FORBES
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In The CW’s new drama, “Beauty and The Beast,” Austin Basis plays J.T. Forbes, the childhood friend of Vincent Keller (Jay Ryan), who has been helping Keller guard his terrible secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Basis attended Binghamton University, where he received a BA in Theatre. He was then accepted to The Actors Studio Drama School, where he received an MFA in Acting. After graduating, Austin became a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. There he had the privilege to work with the likes of Al Pacino, Faye Dunaway and Estelle Parsons; and under the tutelage of Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, Martin Landau, Arthur Penn, Lou Antonio & Mark Rydell. In addition to several productions at The Actors Studio, he also co-created and performed in an improv and sketch comedy show in New York City called “Mmm… Comedy.”

Basis made his television debut in the Comedy Central film “Porn 'n' Chicken,” but his big break came in 2004 when he was cast in an episode of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” Basis has appeared on numerous television shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Necessary Roughness,” “Supernatural,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “NCIS,” “Life on Mars” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” He also played Math for two seasons on The CW drama “Life Unexpected.”

Basis also starred in the Warner Bros. web series “Ghostfacers,” a spin-off of the “Supernatural” episode of the same name. His film credits include “J. Edgar,” “The Other End of the Line,” “My Sassy Girl,” “American Zombie,” “Boxboarders!,” “Re-Cut” and “Dorian Blues.”

Basis has been featured in national commercial spots for State Farm, Burger King, Toys ‘R’ Us, Wendy’s, Dr Pepper and AT&T. He also portrayed Benjamin Bankes the Pig in the Ad Council’s “Feed the Pig” PSA campaign. Basis recently published his first book of poetry called: “An Actor Without An Audience: Poetry for Artists, Lovers & Everymen.”