Shawn Roberts


Shawn Roberts is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in zombie films such as Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead and the Resident Evil franchise.

Early life

Roberts was born in Stratford, Ontario. He has two older brothers.

Career

Roberts started acting when he played the wolf in a school play of Little Red Riding Hood, which was seen by award-winning screenwriter Robert Forsythe. Forsythe, a friend of Roberts's father, helped him get a role in Emily of New Moon. Afterwards, he gained a role on Goosebumps as Brian O'Connor in the two-part episode, "The Perfect School." Roberts went on to play Dean Walton in the Canadian television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He has also co-starred with Anna Paquin. His film works include George A. Romero's Land of the Dead and Diary of the Dead. In 2010, he appeared in Resident Evil: Afterlife, where he played villain Albert Wesker. He was considered for the male lead in the musical film Burlesque, starring Christina Aguilera and released in November 2010. He reprised the role of Wesker in two sequels, 2012 in Resident Evil: Retribution. and in 2016 in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
In 2020, he starred in a television movie Love Under the Olive Tree, portraying Adam Cauldfield—the lead character's gay best friend and her co-worker. He starred as Spartacus in the season 6 premiere of Legends of Tomorrow.
Known for his heavily muscular physique, his biggest influences in acting include action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone. For his role in the comedy horror film Here for Blood, where he played a professional wrestler, he underwent severe wrestling training.