He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War before pursuing acting.
He worked as a film historian and critic before becoming a full-time actor.
His memoir Life’s That Way was inspired by emails he wrote during his wife’s illness.
He is close friends with Supernatural co-stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.
He has appeared in both cult classics (Supernatural, Deadwood) and mainstream films (Crimson Peak, Adaptation).