Born and raised in Baltimore, MD. As a child went to Baltimore Colts games with his father. In 1966 went to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore with his father to see the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Has played golf since his father first put a club in his hands at age 3. Worked summers in the pro shop at a golf course in Baltimore from the age of 12 to 16. Many late afternoons he would play the back nine with course golf pro James Flattery. They would play for a nickel a hole. Flattery would play even par with him through 8 holes, on the 9th, Flattery would always win by one stroke. Though Flattery would never take a penny. Father worked nearly his entire career with The Baltimore Spice Company and his mother was a teacher and librarian in early childhood education, from kindergarten through elementary school. The original plan was to go to law school upon graduating college, but discovered acting in his last year of undergrad. Began doing local theatre and commercials in Baltimore. Soon after was cast in a play at Center Stage the professional theatre in Baltimore. From then he continued to work in professional theatre in Baltimore, Washington, DC and the N.Y. at the Public Theatre. Graduated from The Yale School of Drama and moved to New York City. In the first few months after moving to NYC, he worked with his neighbor doing odd jobs for his neighbors friend musician James Taylor. Worked side by side with JT one day moving instruments and music from a studio on Central Park to his summer home in Connecticut. Went on to work in NYC in Shakespeare in the Park, The Public Theatre, major Off Broadway productions, regional theatre and film and television. In 2004 he moved to Los Angeles where he continues to live and work.
Lives in Los Angeles.
Graduate of the Yale School of Drama where he received an MFA
Son of Margaret K. Shanklin and James Shanklin Sr.
Has a sister, Mikki.
Summers during undergraduate years, served 3 years as an ocean lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in Ocean City, Maryland. "Three of the best years of my life. I learned discipline and responsibility, two things that have served me well in life.".
In 2010, 2011 & 2012 was in 3 films nominated for Oscars, The Social Network, Moneyball and Argo. The third, Argo won the Oscar for Best Film in 2013. Unfortunately the scenes in which he performed the character Mike Touzani (a retiring CIA agent) did not make the final cut of the film.
Though shared no scenes, worked on two films in which Philip Seymour Hoffman starred.
In 2013 was cast as Aaron Hatch a one episode guest star in season 3 of the AMC series Hell On Wheels. That one episode turned into 3 seasons on the top rated AMC series.
Is passionate about animals and animal rights. As of 2017 has 4 dogs.
2014 performed in the West Coast premier of Bethany at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA. 2015 performed in the West Coast premier of The Twenty-Seventh Man at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA.
Whatever good I may do in my life, I owe to the example I witnessed by,the coal miners daughter whose family and friends called "Moe", I was,blessed to call her Mom. .
