Giacomo ( birth name James ) was born to James and Doris Knox on August 1 , 1969 in Newark , NJ and along with his sister Angela , the family also resided in Newark , NJ . The Knoxes had a troubled marriage and an acrimonious divorce , which would impact Giacomo for many years to come . His mother moved to Seattle , Washington in 1976 to start a new life . Giacomo was a terribly shy child and often withdrew to television and early attempts at creative writing . The eruption of Mt. Saint Helens in 1980 and his mother 's homesickness , sent the family eastward to Fort Wayne , Indiana , and finally back to New Jersey in 1981 . Still painfully shy , he further withdrew into himself , writing volumes of poetry and mastering English grammar . He graduated from grammar school at age 12 and began attending Seton Hall Preparatory School in 1982 . Giacomo ran track for three years , but his love for writing and acting eclipsed his athletic abilities . He appeared as Yeoman Herbert Quayle in the school 's spring musical '' South Pacific '' . He graduated from The Prep in 1986 at the age of 16 , then started classes at Seton Hall University one week later . He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1992 with a B.A. in English/Film/Theater . Giacomo was raised as a Roman Catholic , but has since converted to the Natzarim faith of Yahushua the Messiah
The eruption of Mt. Saint Helens in 1980
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Giacomo Knox