Wholesome, young thespian Joseph Cross made his auspicious acting debut at the tender age of 11, starring opposite Diane Keaton in the 1997 TV movie, “Northern Lights” (Disney Channel). He continued working steadily throughout the late nineties and into the new millennium in a variety of TV and big screen appearances, albeit most flying under the radar. All that changed in 2006 when Cross landed the starring role in the film adaptation of Augusten Burroughs’ best selling memoir, Running with Scissors. The book, about Burroughs’ seemingly insane childhood from anyone’s perspective, had been a giant literary hit and the casting of his on-screen alter-ego was the part to land for many young working actors. With his selection to play the troubled writer, Cross became one of Hollywood’s most sought after young actors. Just in case his starring role in “Running with Scissors” left any doubt of his rising star, Cross confirmed his promising future by following up with a supporting role in the critically acclaimed Clint Eastwood- helmed WWII epic, “Flags of Our Fathers.”
Cross was born the oldest of five children in a close-knit family from New Brunswick, NJ on May 28, 1986. Clearly, he knew what he wanted to do from a young age, having landed a part opposite heavyweight Diane Keaton in 1997’s telepic, “Northern Lights.” By the time that he was 12, Cross was starring on the big screen in “Jack Frost” (1998) as Michael Keaton’s son and performing under the guidance of director M. Night Shyamalan in “Wide Awake” (1998). It was a productive time for the relative Hollywood newcomer. That same year, he also appeared in the film, “Desperate Measures” (1998) starring Andy Garcia. Despite his early success, Cross still managed to live a seemingly normal childhood in the suburbs far from the hills of Hollywood.
In 1999, he brought his talents to daytime television, taking on the role of Casey Hughes on the long running soap opera “As the World Turns” (CBS 1956- ). Cross followed up that role with the requisite guest appearances on such TV staples as “Smallville” (WB 2001-2006; CW 2006- ), “Third Watch,” (NBC 1999-2005) and “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC 1999- ). In 2005, he landed the coveted role of the teenage step-brother of Jerri Blank, the character played over-the-top by chameleon comedienne Amy Sedaris, in the crudely hilarious comedy, “Strangers with Candy” (2005). Proving his comic timing and holding his own opposite the highly respected Sedaris, producers started taking notice.
But at that time, Hollywood would have to wait. Instead of heading directly to Tinseltown after graduating from high school, Cross took the unusual step of enrolling at Trinity College in Connecticut. It was during his freshman year that director Ryan Murphy was casting for the dark comedy, “Running with Scissors” (2006). Cross was initially hesitant to audition for the role because it required him to miss an economics test; potentially failing the class. Wisely, he took the risk and it paid off – Murphy was so moved by Cross’ audition performance – he cried before giving him the part right on the spot.
Cross had his work cut out for him, taking on his first leading role. For starters he had to relate to the sad, isolated, childhood of Augusten Burroughs whose narcissistic, emotionally unstable mother dropped him off on her psychiatrist’s doorstep when he was in middle school. Cross’ own childhood was the exact opposite of Burroughs. With nothing in common with his character, Cross had to improvise. Resourceful pro that he was, Cross related his experience of living in a chaotic college dorm to help him understand the loneliness and chaos that Burroughs must have felt. In addition to mining a character he had nothing in common with, came the challenge of being the 19-year-old anchor of a film with a supporting cast that included prestigious actors – some of them Oscar winners – like Annette Bening, Jill Clayburgh, Brian Cox and Gwyneth Paltrow. Cross rose to the challenge, lending a grounded performance which broke the audiences’ collective heart.
Coming off that high, Cross proved he was no one-hit-wonder by landing the role of soldier Franklin Sousley in the WWII drama, “Flags of Our Father” (2006). His Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood praised his young star’s talent, adding even more surrealism to a magical year that had far surpassed Cross’ imagination when first starting out as a young actor years before.