Canadian actor, writer, director, producer, former Fratpack member, and proud hockey fan “Jay” Baruchel (Jonathan Adam Saunders Baruchel) was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on April 9, 1982, and has been studying acting since he was 12 years old. His parents are antiques dealer Serge and writer Robyne, and he has one younger sister, Taylor (born in 1987). Jay’s a multi-talented performer who’s been in the business for decades after getting his foot in the door on such children’s series as Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1995, 1999, 2000) and My Hometown (1996) before moving on to co-host Popular Mechanics for Kids (1997–1998) with Elisha Cuthbert. Since then, he’s built an impressive career spanning comedy, drama, animation, and filmmaking, becoming known worldwide for memorable roles in Undeclared, Almost Famous, Million Dollar Baby, Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder, She’s Out of My League, This Is the End, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and as the voice of Hiccup Haddock throughout DreamWorks’ beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Beyond acting, Jay has also written and directed acclaimed projects including Goon: Last of the Enforcers and the hockey series Shoresy.

I, personally, first became a fan after seeing him in The Tale of the Zombie Dice on Snick’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? in 1999, then re-kindled in Almost Famous where he stole scenes from the likes of Patrick Fugit and Jason Lee, two of the most brilliant actors of the century, and I’ve been a fan ever since. But, most likely, you’re here because you first discovered him as freshman Steven Karp in Judd Apatow’s brilliant one-season wonder Undeclared, laughed along with him in Knocked Up or She’s Out of My League, survived the apocalypse with him in This Is the End, or grew up hearing his unmistakable voice as Hiccup in the How to Train Your Dragon films. However you found your way here, chances are you’ve become just as addicted to the casual wit, self-deprecating humor, and laid-back intensity that make his performances feel so genuine.

Jay lives in Montreal, Canada, and remains a passionate supporter of the Montreal Canadiens. Proud of his Canadian roots, he speaks French fluently and has never been shy about wearing his love of hockey—and his home country—on his sleeve.