wˌaɪl stˈʌdiɪŋ pɚfˈɔːɹmɪŋ ˈɑːɹts, hiː mˌeɪd hɪz ˈæktɪŋ deɪbjˈuː ɪn zˈɑːmbi nˈaɪtmɛɹ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi sˈɛvən, ɐ lˈoʊbˈʌdʒɪt hˈɔɹɚ fˈɪlm ɪnwˌɪtʃ hiː poːɹtɹˈeɪd ðə kˈæɹɪktɚ dʒˈɪm bɹˈæʔn̩, ðə lˈiːdɚɹ əvə ɡɹˈuːp ʌv tˈiːneɪdʒɚz.
While studying performing arts, he made his acting debut in Zombie Nightmare (1987), a low-budget horror film in which he portrayed the character Jim Bratten, the leader of a group of teenagers.