Luke Bilyk

{{Infobox person

| name = Luke Bilyk

| image = Luke Bilyk at RealTVfilms.jpg

| caption = Bilyk interviewed at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

| birth_name = Luke Barry Bilyk

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1994|11|10}}

| birth_place = North York, Ontario, Canada

| occupation = Actor

| years_active = 2005–present

| children = 1

}}

Luke Barry Bilyk (born November 10, 1994) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Drew Torres in Degrassi: The Next Generation, which he starred on from 2010 to 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/July-2015/Luke-Bilyk-looks-back-on-life-as-a-Degrassi-star/|title=Luke Bilyk looks back on life as a Degrassi star|website=www.postcity.com|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144535/http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/July-2015/Luke-Bilyk-looks-back-on-life-as-a-Degrassi-star/ |archive-date=2019-01-20 |url-status=dead}} He is also recognized for his roles in films such as Kiss and Cry (2017) and F the Prom (2017).

Early life

Born in North York, Ontario, Canada, Bilyk grew up in nearby Vaughan, Ontario with three older sisters. He is of Italian, Ukrainian, German, and Jewish descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lukebilyk.ca/about-me/biography|title = Biography}}

He attended the Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television.{{Cite web |title=Luke Bilyk |url=https://torontoacademyofacting.com/luke-bilyk-bio/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Film Acting School Toronto Academy of Acting |language=en-US}}

Career

Bilyk had a starring role as Drew Torres on Degrassi: The Next Generation on seasons 10 through 14. His character developed over time; starting as an immature jock and ending as class president with a promising future.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive video: 'Degrassi' star Luke Bilyk gets ready for the Emmys |url=https://ew.com/emmys/2012/09/14/degrassi-luke-bilyk-video/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Alexandra Del |date=2021-06-12 |title=‘Degrassi: The New Generation’: EPs & Cast Reflect On Teen Drama’s Longevity, Pitch Potential Reboot Threads – ATX |url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/degrassi-the-new-generation-cast-teen-drama-longevity-potential-reboot-threads-atx-1234774088/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

From 2014 to 2015, he played Mark in the supernatural drama series Lost Girl.

In 2017, he starred in the drama film Adam's Testament, earning him a Best Actor nomination from the International Christian Film & Music Festival.{{Cite web |title=International Christian Film Festival (2017) |url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002242/2017/1/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=IMDb}} That same year, he starred in the teen comedy F the Prom as TJ.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2016-04-04 |title=YouTube’s Fine Brothers Announce First Film, Comedy ‘F*&% the Prom’ |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/fine-brothers-first-film-comedy-f-the-prom-1201745047/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In 2021, he starred in Blaine Thurier's Canadian horror comedy Kicking Blood.{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Alisha |date=18 April 2022 |title='Kicking Blood' Finds the Gothic Menace in Sudbury, ON {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/film/article/tiff_kicking_blood_blaine_thurier_film_review |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=exclaim! |language=en}} He went on to appear in the second season of the Amazon Prime action crime series Reacher as Calvin Franz.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-09-21 |title=‘Reacher’ Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Serinda Swan, Ferdinand Kingsley, Rory Cochrane, More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/reacher-season-2-cast-serinda-swan-ferdinand-kingsley-rory-cochrane-1235123778/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

Personal life

In December 2021, Bilyk got engaged to director Nicole Dorsey, whom he has been dating since 2015. They have a son, Elliot Rae Bilyk, born in August 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ChYXjCJJEKA/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=/ | title=Luke Bilyk on Instagram: "For nine months we waited to meet you my son, and now I can't take a moment without looking at you little Elliot Rae Bilyk. Me and mom will put up with all the sleep deprivation that comes along with raising you!" }}

Luke is an active supporter of "Free the Children," and has traveled to India, Haiti, and Nicaragua with the charitable organization. Together with his Degrassi co-stars, he has helped build schools and to set up water filtration systems to provide safe drinking water for remote regions.{{Cite news |date=23 June 2014 |title=Luke Bilyk Talks About Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/luke-bilyk-talks-about-tracy-chapmans-fast-car-1403289433 |access-date=2024-03-08 |work=WSJ |language=en-US}} In 2013, he was a special guest at the Count Me In Conference, an "empowerment event" promoting volunteerism and offering opportunities.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=John R. |date=9 Jan 2013 |title=‘Degrassi’ star Luke Bilyk to host youth empowerment event {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/441864/degrassi-star-luke-bilyk-to-host-youth-empowerment-event/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}