The Strong Country Boy

In the most recent issue of W Magazine he was dubbed the newest breakthrough heartthrob but just under the claim, in the fine print, it stated that he can actually act. And for his past five years in Hollywood that was all Garrett Hedlund set out to prove. No matter how many times he got overlooked by big blockbuster names and short changed budgets, he wasn’t going anywhere.

The young Minnesota native grew up like almost every other country boy. His father raised him and was always supportive of both his son and his son's dreams. Hedlund worked on his family farm and it was actually the hard labour that started helping him keep in shape for his future action roles. But with this humble beginning, even with strong dreams of becoming an accomplished actor, Hedlund didn’t feel a likely candidate. It would be the one thing that differentiates him from all other leading men that would guide him to his goal.

When he moved to Arizona to live with his mother for a short while, Hedlund started calling high level agencies in Los Angeles. Many laughed at him but the worst were the ones who would take pity on him. Not giving up, he continued his research into the world of agencies and managers until one day he was rewarded for his effort and given representation. It wasn’t the exact representation he was hoping for but after two years of modeling and doing a few other gigs he finally went to L.A and just a few months after being there got his first role in a Wolfgang Petersen film alongside acting heavy weight Brad Pitt: Troy.

The only way Hedlund can ever explain being that lucky is that he simply went into the audition and gave the confidence that he felt needed to show his strength in handling the fast paced entertainment world. His confidence has led him through some remarkably different roles in the past few years until very recently when he got his first leading role in the highly anticipated sequel Tron: Legacy. That drive, immense strength and confidence he has always had from the very beginning helped Hedlund carry his first blockbuster film all the way to an overall $330 million haul in at the box office.

Most recently, Hedlund has shown much more of his dramatic side with another supporting role in the country singing drama Country Strong. Interestingly, Hedlund just wrapped up portraying the well known character of Dean Moriarty in the film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. Many aren’t sure of what they will make of his portrayal but all are watching with wide eyes. Because of that, along with his kind heart, quirky humour, and All-American strive to be the best he can be, this new heartthrob cannot just act but has the staying power to do so.