Luke Bilyk

Luke Bilyk
Bilyk interviewed at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Born
Lukas Barry Bilyk

(1994-11-10) November 10, 1994 (age 30)
North York, Ontario, Canada
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
Children1

Lukas Barry Bilyk (born November 10, 1994) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Drew Torres in Degrassi: The Next Generation, which he starred on from 2010 to 2015.[1] He is also recognized for his roles in films such as Kiss and Cry (2017) and F the Prom (2017).

Early life

Born in North York, Ontario, Canada, Bilyk grew up in nearby Vaughan, Ontario with three older sisters. He is of Italian, Ukrainian, German, and Jewish descent.[2]

He attended the Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television.[3]

Career

Bilyk had a starring role as Drew Torres on Degrassi: The Next Generation on seasons 10 through 14. His character developed over time; starting as an immature jock and ending as class president with a promising future.[4][5]

From 2014 to 2015, he played Mark in the supernatural drama series Lost Girl.[3]

In 2017, he starred in the drama film Adam's Testament, earning him a Best Actor nomination from the International Christian Film & Music Festival.[6] That same year, he starred in the teen comedy F the Prom as TJ.[7]

In 2021, he starred in Blaine Thurier's Canadian horror comedy Kicking Blood.[8] He went on to appear in the second season of the Amazon Prime action crime series Reacher as Calvin Franz.[9]

Personal life

In December 2021, Bilyk got engaged to director Nicole Dorsey, whom he has been dating since 2015. They have a son, Elliot Rae Bilyk, born in August 2022.[10]

Luke is an active supporter of "Free the Children," and has traveled to India, Haiti, and Nicaragua with the charitable organization. Together with his Degrassi co-stars, he has helped build schools and to set up water filtration systems to provide safe drinking water for remote regions.[11] In 2013, he was a special guest at the Count Me In Conference, an "empowerment event" promoting volunteerism and offering opportunities.[12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Gooby Cute Kid
2015 Hellions Jace
2017 Kiss and Cry John Servinis
Adam's Testament Adam Gable
F the Prom TJ
2019 Black Conflux Donovan
The Marijuana Conspiracy Adam
2021 Kicking Blood Robbie
TBA Balestra Wade

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Little Mosque on the Prairie Halaqa Teen #1 Season 2, episode 7: "Best Intentions"
2008 The Latest Buzz Teenager Season 2, episode 6: "The Showdown Issue"
2009 The Jon Dore Television Show Skateboard Kid #2 Season 2, episode 3: "Jon Gets Old"
2010 My Babysitter's a Vampire The Seeker TV movie
2010–2015 Degrassi Andrew "Drew" Torres Main role (seasons 10-14)
2011 Flashpoint Joe Stanick Season 4, episode 9: "The War Within"
2014–2015 Lost Girl Mark Recurring Role (season 5)
2016 Holiday Joy Zack Hockstatter TV movie
2016–2017 Raising Expectations Adam Wayney Main role
2018 Legends of Tomorrow Elvis Presley / Jesse Presley Season 3, episode 14: "Amazing Grace"
2020 Meet Me at Christmas Liam Hallmark TV movie
A Teacher Bear Miniseries
2021 Good Witch Sean 4 episodes
2022 The Porter Franklin Edwards 8 episodes
2023–2024 Reacher Calvin Franz 5 episodes

Awards and nomination

Year Title Category Work Result Notes
2017 International Christian Film Festival Best Actor: Feature Film Adam's Testament Won [6]

References

  1. ^ "Luke Bilyk looks back on life as a Degrassi star". www.postcity.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  2. ^ "Biography".
  3. ^ a b "Luke Bilyk". Film Acting School Toronto Academy of Acting. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Exclusive video: 'Degrassi' star Luke Bilyk gets ready for the Emmys". EW.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (June 12, 2021). "'Degrassi: The New Generation': EPs & Cast Reflect On Teen Drama's Longevity, Pitch Potential Reboot Threads – ATX". Deadline. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "International Christian Film Festival (2017)". IMDb. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Spangler, Todd (April 4, 2016). "YouTube's Fine Brothers Announce First Film, Comedy 'F*&% the Prom'". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Mughal, Alisha (April 18, 2022). "'Kicking Blood' Finds the Gothic Menace in Sudbury, ON | Exclaim!". exclaim!. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  9. ^ Petski, Denise (September 21, 2022). "'Reacher' Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Serinda Swan, Ferdinand Kingsley, Rory Cochrane, More". Deadline. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Luke Bilyk on Instagram: "For nine months we waited to meet you my son, and now I can't take a moment without looking at you little Elliot Rae Bilyk. Me and mom will put up with all the sleep deprivation that comes along with raising you!"".
  11. ^ "Luke Bilyk Talks About Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car'". WSJ. June 23, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  12. ^ Kennedy, John R. (January 9, 2013). "'Degrassi' star Luke Bilyk to host youth empowerment event | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved March 8, 2024.