Justin Bruening currently stars in the Netflix drama, “Sweet Magnolias.” Bruening was raised in the small town of St. Helena, Nebraska (a then-population of 85) and graduated from high school with only nine classmates. Following his time in college, Bruening moved to San Diego, California. It was there that he was discovered by a talent scout at a McDonald’s in the north part of the county. Within months, Bruening landed a campaign for Abercrombie & Fitch.
Soon after, Bruening booked a Britney Spears music video, caught the acting bug and decided to start studying the craft. It did not take him long to land his first role – a contract on ABC’s long running, beloved “All My Children” as James (Jamie) Martin. A part that earned him a Soap Opera Digest Award as well as the title of Daytime's Hottest Star in Teen People Magazine. It was during his time on the show that he met his wife, co- star, Alexa Havins.
Just two months after leaving the serial, Bruening was cast as the lead in the reboot of the 1970’s series, “Knight Rider,” portraying the title character’s son, Mike Traceur, for a two-hour film for and subsequent series for NBC.
Since then, Bruening has been a fixture on television screens appearing on a wide variety of hit television series and MOWs. His most notable roles include stints on “Good Behavior” (TNT), “Ringer” (The CW), “Switched at Birth” (ABCF), “Ravenswood” (ABCF) and “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS).
Bruening is often recognized as the romantic paramedic, Matthew Taylor on ABC’s iconic series, “Grey’s Anatomy” for a storyline that helped fans of the show say goodbye to one of its most beloved actors, his screen partner, Sarah Drew.
Bruening’s feature roles include He’s Out There, The Monster Project and Indivisible opposite his Grey’s co-stars, Drew and Jason George.
Bruening currently resides in the suburbs of Los Angeles with his wife and four children.
