COLTON LEE HAYNES

Actor, model, author, photographer, and LGBTQ+ advocate.

Colton Lee Haynes is an American actor, model, author, and creative artist best known for his breakout roles as
Jackson Whittemore on MTV’s Teen Wolf and Roy Harper / Arsenal on The CW’s Arrow.
Born on July 13, 1988 in Wichita, Kansas, Colton grew up moving between several states before finding his way
into modeling and eventually television.

Before becoming a familiar face on screen, Colton built an impressive modeling career. He appeared in campaigns
and editorial work that helped launch him into the entertainment industry. His early modeling success opened doors
for acting, where his natural charisma, striking presence, and emotional range quickly helped him stand out.

Colton’s major television breakthrough came in 2011 when he joined Teen Wolf as Jackson Whittemore. The role introduced him to a passionate fanbase and became one of the defining parts of his early career. Jackson’s confident, complicated, and emotional storyline allowed Colton to show both intensity and vulnerability, making him one of the show’s most memorable characters.

After Teen Wolf, Colton reached another career milestone when he joined The CW’s Arrow as Roy Harper, also known as Arsenal. His role in the DC television universe expanded his popularity even further and introduced
him to superhero fans around the world. Roy Harper became an important part of Team Arrow, and Colton’s performance brought heart, loyalty, and strength to the character.

In addition to Teen Wolf and Arrow, Colton has appeared in projects such as The Gates, American Horror Story: Cult, Scream Queens, San Andreas, Rough Night, and Teen Wolf: The Movie. His work across television and film has shown his ability to move between drama, comedy, horror, action, and fan-favorite genre storytelling.

Colton’s career has also included meaningful recognition outside of traditional acting awards. In 2016, he received the HRC Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign, honoring his openness and impact as an LGBTQ+ public figure. He has also been recognized within queer media spaces, including recognition from The Queerties.

Outside of acting, Colton has explored several creative outlets. He has shared his interest in photography, music, fashion, and writing, showing that his artistry extends beyond performance. He has released music, connected with fans through social media, and used his platform to express himself honestly and creatively.

One of Colton’s most personal milestones came with the release of his memoir, Miss Memory Lane, in 2022. The book offered a raw and emotional look at his life, including fame, grief, family struggles, addiction, identity, healing, and self-acceptance. The memoir gave fans a deeper understanding of Colton beyond the roles he played on screen and showed his courage in telling his story in his own words.

Colton has also been open about his personal life and the pressures he faced in Hollywood. After years of public
speculation, he publicly came out as gay in 2016. Since then, he has spoken about the anxiety, expectations, and
industry pressure he experienced while trying to navigate his career and identity. His honesty has helped many fans
feel seen, especially those who relate to his journey of self-acceptance.

In his personal life, Colton was previously married to celebrity floral designer Jeff Leatham. The two married
in 2017 and later divorced. While Colton has shared parts of his journey publicly, he has also continued to protect
parts of his private life, allowing fans to support him while respecting his boundaries.

Through every chapter of his career, Colton Haynes has remained admired for his resilience, creativity, vulnerability,
and connection with fans. From modeling to major television roles, from superhero fame to memoir writing, Colton has
continued to evolve while staying honest about the highs and lows of his life. His story is one of survival, reinvention,
and learning to embrace every part of himself.