Southern Oregon University Theatre alumnus Joel David Moore has appeared in television commercials, feature films, and television series. He is best known for his roles as Owen Dittman in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Dr. Norm Spellman in Avatar, Colin Fisher in Bones, and J.P. in Grandma’s Boy. When we reached him to talk about his career he mentioned how important a role SOU played in his profession.

SOU was one of the most important stops in my career as an actor. It allowed me to turn an interest and talent into a craft. My education and experience at this school led to two wonderful seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and was undoubtably the main reason I pursued a career in film and television in Los Angeles.

Moore was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where he attended Benson Polytechnic High School. He went to Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, for two years. In 1998, he transferred to SOU, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and performed for two summers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2000, he moved to Los Angeles and reunited with his agent from Portland, Rachelle Ryan.