Brian Hallisay: Wall Street Trader Turned Television Actor

Brian Hallisay is an American television and film actor best known for his roles in popular series like The Client List, Privileged, Revenge, and 9-1-1. Before making his mark in Hollywood, he earned a degree in history and economics from Cornell University and spent time working in finance on Wall Street. His transition from corporate finance to acting highlights a career driven by reinvention and a commitment to storytelling across network dramas and thrillers.

This article examines his background, early television guest spots, breakthrough characters, film credits, and personal life with actress Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Early Life and Transition to Acting

Born on October 31, 1978, in Washington, D.C., Hallisay attended Cornell University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and economics. Rather than heading straight into the entertainment industry, he moved to New York City and secured a job in finance.

Working on Wall Street provided stability, but Hallisay felt drawn to creative pursuits. In interviews, he noted that while he enjoyed the analytical pace of finance, he had a lingering curiosity about acting. He chose to leave corporate life behind, relocate to Los Angeles, and audition for television roles.

Early Television Appearances and Breakthrough

Like many working actors, Hallisay built his resume through single-episode guest spots on procedural dramas. During the mid-2000s, he appeared across network television, including roles on:

• Strong Medicine (2005)
• Without a Trace (2006)
• Cold Case (2006)
• CSI: NY (2007)
• Bones (2007)

His first major recurring television break came in 2008 when he was cast as Will Davis in The CW comedy-drama series Privileged. Playing a wealthy Palm Beach bachelor, Hallisay anchored a main cast role for 17 episodes before the network canceled the series.

Following Privileged, he guest-starred on shows like Medium and Eastwick before landing his second major television milestone: playing Kyle Parks on the Lifetime drama series The Client List from 2012 to 2013.

Film Projects and Other Notable Series

While television remains his primary medium, Hallisay has appeared in several feature films and high-profile recurring arcs:

• Film Roles: He debuted in the romantic comedy Bottoms Up (2006), appeared in the horror sequel Hostel: Part III (2011), played Mark in the supernatural thriller Jessabelle (2014), and portrayed Captain Gillespie in Clint Eastwood's biographical war drama American Sniper (2014).
• Revenge: He joined the fourth season of ABC's prime-time soap opera Revenge as Ben Hunter, transitioning from a recurring guest star to a series regular.
• 9-1-1: In late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay took on a chilling recurring role in Fox's procedural drama 9-1-1, playing Doug Kendall, the abusive estranged husband of Maddie Buckley.

Personal Life

Hallisay met actress Jennifer Love Hewitt on the set of the television series Love Bites, and the two later reunited on The Client List. They began dating in 2012, married in November 2013, and have three children together: Autumn, Atticus, and Aidan. The family maintains a private personal life away from heavy tabloid exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Brian Hallisay do before acting?

Before pursuing an acting career, Hallisay graduated from Cornell University with degrees in history and economics and worked as a financial trader on Wall Street.

How did Brian Hallisay meet Jennifer Love Hewitt?

The couple met while working together in television, connecting further on the set of the Lifetime series The Client List. They married in 2013.

What are Brian Hallisay's most famous TV roles?

He is best recognized for playing Will Davis in Privileged, Kyle Parks in The Client List, Ben Hunter in Revenge, and Doug Kendall in 9-1-1.

Has Brian Hallisay appeared in movies?

Yes, his film credits include supporting and minor roles in Hostel: Part III, Jessabelle, and the Oscar-winning war film American Sniper.