Derek Mears Movies and Career Information

Derek Mears (born April 29, 1972) is an American actor and stuntman, best known for his role as Jason Voorhees in the reboot of Friday the 13th. Mears was born in Bakersfield, California. He performed improv comedy at Comedy Sportz in Bakersfield. He graduated from Highland High School in Bakersfield in 1990. Mears has numerous credits both as a stuntman and as an actor. He had minor roles in ER, Alias, Nash Bridges, Men in Black II, The Shield, CSI: NY, My Name Is Earl, Mr. & Mrs Smith, CSI: Miami, and The Hills Have Eyes 2. His stunt credits include the films Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Blades of Glory, and TV series such as Angel and Bones. Mears got his breakthrough lead role in the new Friday the 13th film. He was recommended to the producers, Brad Fuller and Jason Form of Platinum Dunes, by make-up and special effects guru Scott Stoddard, who created the new look for Mears' character, Jason Voorhees. Due to Mears' height at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) he is one of the tallest actors who ever portrayed Jason, beside Ken Kirzinger, who stands at a similar height to Mears. He was nominated for an MTV Movie Award in