Austin Nichols Biography: TV Series, Girlfriend, Height, Movies, Age, Net Worth, Sister, Family

Austin Nichols is an American actor and director who first gained attention with his role as J.D. in The Day After Tomorrow and later became well-known for portraying Julian Baker in the CW series One Tree Hill.

His career blossomed in line with a pattern of diverse roles, including appearances on Six Feet Under, John from Cincinnati, Ray Donovan, and The Walking Dead.

Profile

• Full name: Austin Don Nichols
• Nickname: Austin
• Date of birth: April 24, 1980
• Age: 45 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
• State of origin: Michigan (raised in Texas)
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, director, producer, writer
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• Weight: 86 kg (190 lb)
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Hair color: Dark brown
• Parents: Father – David Nichols; Mother – Kay Vermeulen Nichols
• Siblings: Older sister – Ashley Nichols
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: None
• Relationship status: In a relationship (most recently with Chloe Bennet, 2013–2017; dating Hassie Harrison as of 2018)
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $4 million

Early Life and Education

Austin Nichols is now 45. He was born on April 24, 1980. His parents are David, a radiologist, and Kay Vermeulen Nichols, a former competitive water skier. He has an older sister, Ashley Nichols.

Although born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was raised in Austin, Texas. He pursued water skiing in his youth, making the U.S. junior team and ranking third worldwide in Tricks at one point.

After graduating from McCallum High School, he moved to Los Angeles at age 18 instead of attending the University of Texas. He enrolled at the University of Southern California, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English (with a focus on creative writing) in 2002. While at USC, he began acting professionally.  

Personal Life

Austin Nichols’ dating history includes long-term relationships with Claire Oswalt (1997–2004), One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush (2006–2012), and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actress Chloe Bennet (2013–2017). Since 2018, he has reportedly been involved with actress Hassie Harrison.

Career

Austin Nichols’s career began in 1999 with Durango Kids and roles on Sliders and Odd Man Out. His performance in Six Feet Under in 2002 led to more prominent roles. He earned film parts in The Utopian Society, The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Wimbledon (2004), and Glory Road (2006).

Transitioning to television, he played John Monad in HBO’s John from Cincinnati (2007), Julian Baker in One Tree Hill (2008–2012), Tommy Wheeler in Ray Donovan (2013–2016), and Spencer Monroe on The Walking Dead (2015–2017), later promoted to series regular.

He also appeared in Bates Motel, Walker, Minx, and in 2024 starred in Lifetime’s Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story. Alongside acting, he’s directed episodes of One Tree Hill and directed his first independent feature about saving a public golf course.  

Net worth

Austin Nichols’s estimated net worth is $4 million, accumulated through acting roles in television series and feature films, as well as directing and producing work.  

Social Media

• Instagram: @austinnichols
• Twitter/X: @austinnichols

Filmography

Film:

• Durango Kids (1999) – Sammy
• Holiday in the Sun (2001) – Griffen Grayson
• The Utopian Society (2003) – Justin Mathers
• The Day After Tomorrow (2004) – J.D.
• Wimbledon (2004) – Jake Hammond
• Thanks to Gravity (2005) – Alex Ford
• Glory Road (2006) – Jerry Armstrong
• The House of Usher (2006) – Roderick Usher
• Lenexa, 1 Mile (2006) – Shane Bolin
• Love & Debate (2006) – Alex
• Luz del mundo (2007) – Neal Cassady
• The Informers (2008) – Martin
• The True-Love Tale of Boyfriend & Girlfriend (2009) – Girlfriend
• Beautiful Boy (2010) – Cooper Stearns
• Unthinkable (2010) – Bomb Disposal Expert
• LOL (2012) – Mr. Ross
• Parkland (2013) – Emory Roberts
• Stroker (2014) – Stroker
• Nostradamus (2015) – Harry Fisher
• Lawless Range (2016) – Tommy Donnelly
• The Iron Orchard (2018) – Dent Paxton
• Masquerade (2021) – Daniel
• Match (2022) – Ian
• The Six Triple Eight (2024) – Collins
• (TBA) (post-production, 2025) – TBA

Television:

• Sliders (1999) – guest role
• Odd Man Out (1999) – guest role
• Six Feet Under (2002) – [role leading to visibility]
• John from Cincinnati (2007) – John Monad
• One Tree Hill (2008–2012) – Julian Baker (recurring; later series regular)
• Ray Donovan (2013–2016) – Tommy Wheeler
• The Walking Dead (2015–2017) – Spencer Monroe (guest; later series regular)
• Bates Motel (2017) – guest role
• Walker (2021) – guest role
• Minx (2022) – guest role