Channing Tatum Biography

Channing Tatum shot to stardom as the star of "Step Up" (2006), a classic high school romance set in the world of competitive dance which showcased the former model's ripped physique and hinted at untapped dramatic depths. Tatum enjoyed another teen success with "She's the Man" (2006), before unveiling surprising acting chops in the acclaimed coming-of-age drama, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" (2006), which was a hit at that year's Sundance Film Festival and earned the newcomer a nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards. With a prominent role in the war drama "Stop-Loss" (2008) and big budgeters "Public Enemies" (2009) and "G.I. Joe" (2009), Tatum carved out a career playing imposing Brando-esque physical characters with a believably sensitive bent.

Tatum was born to father, Glenn, and mother, Kay, on April 26, 1980, in the small Alabama town of Cullman and spent his teenage years in Tampa, FL, where his high profile in football, baseball, track and martial arts earned him the distinction of Most Athletic at Tampa Catholic High School. But he also frequently found himself on the wrong side of that school's administration's rule and spent time working on his discipline problems. Tatum turned down a football scholarship to a West Virginia state college and was living in Miami when was approached on the street by a talent agent. At the agent's urging, Tatum began print modeling, eventually finding himself traveling the world and representing the lines of Armani and Abercrombie and Fitch.

The young talent segued onto the screen in commercials for Mountain Dew and Pepsi and landed his first acting role in a 2004 episode of "CSI: Miami" (CBS, 2002-). Channing Tatumwhirlwind career and exposure to new horizons beyond the American South ignited a number of creative passions in Tatum including dancing, writing and acting, which he decided to pursue full-time. Channing Tatum physique immediately landed him supporting roles in competitive sports films including "Coach Carter" (2005), starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the low budget "Supercross"