Scott Bairstow

Scott Hamilton Bairstow (born April 23, 1970) is a Canadian-born American actor known for his roles as "Newt Call" on the Lonesome Dove series in Canada and as "Ned Grayson" on the American television drama series, Party of Five. He was born in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada to Douglas and Diane Bairstow, professional classical musicians

Career

Bairstow first appeared on television at the age of 10, in a show called Let's Go. He moved toNew York City when he was 17 and landed a part on the soap opera All My Children playing "Stuart Chandler" in flashback scenes to the character's youth. He had the lead role oppositeCybill Shepherd in the television movie There Was a Little Boy (1993) and has also appeared opposite such well-known actors as Kevin Costner in The Postman (1997) and Kris Kristoffersonin Two for Texas (1998).^[2]

In addition to his role on Party of Five, and the X-Files episode: Miracle Man (1994), Bairstow has also starred as the lead character, Newt Call, in both Lonesome Dove: The Series and 'Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years, as well as the lead, Lt. Tom Hobbes, in Chris Carter's short-lived series, Harsh Realm.^[2] In 2004, Bairstow guest-starred on the two-part series finale of Touched by an Angel, playing a handyman named Zach,and later in the episode, God.

Personal life

Bairstow was married to Marty Rich from 1994 to 2000, and has two sons, Casey William (1995) and Dalton (1998).

In May 2003, Bairstow was charged in Everett, Washington with second degree child rape for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, who is related to Bairstow's ex-wife, and later asking her to keep quiet about it.^[3] In December 2003, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge—second degree assault. Bairstow entered an Alford plea, under which he maintained his innocence but conceded that he would likely be convicted by a jury if the case went to trial. He was sentenced to four months in jail, one year community supervision, and was required to undergo a sexual deviancy evaluation. He was also ordered to have no contact with the girl for 10 years and to pay for any counseling she requires.^[4]

Partial filmography

• Android Apocalypse (2006)
• The Bone Snatcher (2003)
• Dead in the Water (2002)
• New Best Friend (2002)
• Tuck Everlasting (2002)
• Wolf Lake (2001)
• Black Circle Boys (1997)
• Killing Mr. Griffin (1997)
• The Postman (1997)
• Wild America (1997)
• White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994)
• X-Files (TV-Series) One episode (Season 1, Episode 17) (1994)

Posted in: Canadian actors