Actor and filmmaker Jason Priestley is one of the many beneficiaries of the long-standing entertainment collaboration between Canada and the United States of America. The North Vancouver native, who became a naturalized American citizen in 2007, has Hollywood to thank for making him the star he is today. There is no doubt that the opportunities he received in America are what has made him who he is.
Beyond gaining prominence for his work in front and behind the camera, Priestly is also famous for establishing a career as a race car driver and also co-owning a race team called FAZZT which contested in the 2010 IndyCar Series.
Early Life of Jason Priestley
Jason Priestley’s date of birth is registered as the 28th of August, 1969. He made his arrival into the world in North Vancouver, British Columbia and is the son of Lorne Priestley and Sharon Kirk. Actress Justine Priestley is his elder sister. He further has two step-siblings called Karin and Kristi.
In regards to his education, Jason Priestley is known to have received his high school education at Argyle Secondary School, North Vancouver. He then went on to launch his career by featuring in advertisements for companies like Fletcher’s Meats.
How He Became a Movie Star and Director
Following his appearances in a number of commercials, Jason Priestley in 1978 was cast in the TV film titled Stacey where he played the character of Duncan. He then moved on to appear in an episode of the TV show Airwolf, portraying the character of Bobby Conrad. He followed it up by landing a guest role in the series 21 Jump Street before getting his breakthrough role in Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1990 where he appeared as Brandon Walsh.
For ten years, from 1990 to 2000, Priestley was center stage thanks to his role in Beverly Hills, 90210. It was during his time on the show that he was able to launch his career as a director as he was behind the camera for 15 episodes of the long-running show. He has since then continued to take on other directing projects.
While appearing on Beverly Hills, 90210, however, the actor took roles in other TV shows and films like Drexell’s Class, Calendar Girl, Love and Death on Long Island, The Outer Limits, and Eye of the Beholder among others.
In the 2000s, Jason Priestley landed roles in TV shows like Tru Calling, What I Like About You, Love Monkey, Medium, Side Order of Life, Haven, and Call Me Fitz among many others. On the film front, he appeared in Cherish (2001), Time of the Wolf (2002), Going the Distance (2004), Made in Brooklyn (2006), and The Last Rites of Ransom Pride (2009).
In recent times, Priestley is known for his roles in TV shows like Raising Expectations and Private Eyes. He has further also appeared in the movies Enter the Dangerous Mind and Zoom.
Race Car Career and Car Crash
Beyond being recognized for his acting and directing, Jason Priestley is also famous for having a race car career. He began paying extensive attention to this hobby in 1991, participating over the years in competitions like the IMSA GTS, USRRC GT1, Motorola Cup competition, and Gumball 3000 rally. In 2002, however, the actor was involved in a nasty car crash that even though he survived, ended his attention to the sport as a racer.
Priestley crashed head-on into a wall while driving at almost 180mph during the final practice at the Kentucky Speedway. Following the accident, he was rushed to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center where it was revealed that he had a spinal fracture in the middle of the back, broken bones in both feet, and a closed head injury.
After a few years away from the sport, Priestley returned to become a co-owner of the FAZZT Race Team that participated in the 2010 IndyCar Series.
How Much is Jason Priestley Worth?
As an eminent personality in the thriving acting industry with over thirty years of experience, Jason Priestley has been able to accrue a considerable net worth of $16 million. In addition to his career as an actor, the Canadian has also been able to add to his wealth thanks to him serving as a director for movies and series like Dark Angel, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise, Web of Dreams, BH90210, Private Eyes, and Working the Engels, to mention a few.
Details of His Wife and Kids
Despite being in the limelight for a while, Jason Priestley has successfully managed to keep his personal life private. So far, all we know about his family life is that he got married to make-up artist Naomi Lowde on the 14th of May, 2005.
It’s noteworthy that Priestly’s marriage to Naomi is his second. He first entered into matrimony with Ashlee Peterson whom he dated for one year. They tied the knot in February 1999 and after staying married for eleven months, the pair annulled the union in January 2000.
In 2009, the director and his now-wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ava Veronica. Two years later, the couple expanded their family with the arrival of a son, Dashiell Orson. Priestley and his family often attend events together as they were spotted at the Los Angeles Premiere of Disney’s Cinderella at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood California in March 2015.
Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.
