Peter Facinelli

PETER FACINELLI has established himself as one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors with distinctive, versatile, and impressive performances.

Facinelli starred as Dr. Carlisle Cullen, the altruistic patriarch of the Cullen clan, in the blockbuster feature films Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.

Facinelli also starred opposite Edie Falco in Showtime's critically acclaimed series "Nurse Jackie," a dark comedy following a pill-popping, yet morally sound New York City nurse juggling the frenzied grind of an urban hospital. Facinelli appears as Dr. Cooper, a golden boy afflicted with a quirky variation of Tourette's Syndrome. For its second season, "Nurse Jackie" earned 8 Emmy nominations, a record for the network, including a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. The show was also nominated for a 2011 Golden Globe® Award in the Best TV Series – Comedy category and a 2010 Writers Guild Award for Best New Series. "Nurse Jackie" was also named one of the American Film Institute's Top Ten TV Shows of 2009.

In 2010, Facinelli started a production company, Facinelli Films, which produced feature film Loosies. Facinelli wrote and stars in the fast-paced dramatic comedy about a successful pickpocket in the New York City subways. Facinelli Films also produced the film Paz starring Facinelli. The film follows the inspirational true story of champion boxer, Vinny Pazienza, who, after a paralyzing accident, defied all odds and not only walked again but was able to get back into the ring to continue his boxing career. Facinelli also wrote, produced and starred in El Chico Blanco. The film follows the story of Ben Harper, a white kid growing up in a Hispanic community who rises against racial tension and a stint in prison to lead the most powerful and feared gang in the city. Facinelli also wrote "Accidentally in Love," which premiered on The Hallmark Channel and starred Jennie Garth.

Facinelli's career boasts over thirty feature films in which he has starred alongside award winning actors such as Matthew Broderick in the dramedy Finding Amanda, which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. His portrayal in The Big Kahuna had Facinelli co-starring alongside Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito and earned him rave reviews. Other feature film credits include Penny Marshall's Riding in Cars with Boys opposite Drew Barrymore, The Scorpion King opposite Dwayne Johnson, a starring role in Walter Hills' sci-fi thriller Supernova with James Spader and Angela Bassett, Tempted opposite Burt Reynolds and Saffron Burroughs, Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 with Breckin Meyer, Foxfire opposite Angelina Jolie, and the cult classic Can't Hardly Wait opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Facinelli also has an impressive television resume including a recurring role on the 2007 season of "Damages," FX's award winning legal thriller starring Glenn Close. Additional television credits include a recurring role on the award winning HBO Series "Six Feet Under," for which Facinelli shared the cast's 2005 nomination for the SAG Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama; as well as the starring role in McG's sexy one-hour drama "Fastlane."

Facinelli was born and raised in New York, and attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

© 2011 Summit Entertainment