Adam Driver is a commanding presence, both on the screen and off of it.
The 32-year-old actor stands at 6'3", but it's his background that makes him really stand out.
Driver is a Marine turned Juilliard-trained actor with Midwest charm and an intense discipline that shines through in his performances.
He got his start acting in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and slowly began the transition to TV and film roles. His portrayal of the sometimes-obnoxious boyfriend to Lena Dunham's also sometimes-obnoxious Hannah in HBO's "Girls" put Driver on the Hollywood map.
While he's taken on roles in major films ranging rom Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" to the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," none compares to the hype surrounding his casting as the newest villain in the "Star Wars" universe, Kylo Ren, a Darth Vader enthusiast in "The Force Awakens."
And that military background and classical training are what gave Driver the "ferocity" for the role, according to director J.J. Abrams.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" comes out Friday, but before you catch him as the evil Kylo Ren, get to know the actor below:
SEE ALSO: How this 23-year-old went from British theater actor to starring in the next 'Star Wars'
Adam Douglas Driver was born on November 19, 1983, in San Diego, but when he was seven, he moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, following his parents' divorce. His stepdad was a Baptist minister and Driver sang in the church choir growing up. But he and his friends also created their own "Fight Club"-inspired group.
(Source: Newsweek)
Driver was involved with school productions at Mishawaka High School and was president of the school choir.
(Source: South Bend Tribune)
After graduating from high school, he auditioned for Juilliard but was not accepted, so he sold vacuums and was a telemarketer while trying to figure out what career path to pursue. During this time, he paid $200 in rent to live in the back of his parents' house and was forced to buy his own appliances, including a fridge.
(Source: Rolling Stone)
See the rest of the story at Business Insider