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Wade Thomas Carpenter III was born on February 6, 1973, in Vidalia, Georgia, a small town known as the "onion capital" famous for its sweet onions. At seven, his family relocated to a suburb near Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of Wade Thomas Carpenter Jr., a Navy UDT Frogman and later Southeast Regional Manager of airspace for the FAA, and Sharone Carolyn Carpenter, who retired from the Georgia House of Representatives.
His hardworking parents instilled in Wade and his sister, Regina, values of courtesy, hard work, integrity, self-belief, and honesty. They were devoted parents who always supported him and reminded him, "...we shine brightest when we are ourselves."
A talented student and athlete, Wade excelled in football, baseball, golf, and wrestling. He attended Truett-McConnell College on a baseball scholarship and was scouted for professional baseball until a pitching arm injury in his sophomore year ended that dream. This setback revealed his resilience and ability to overcome challenges, traits that would benefit him throughout life.
Wade soon discovered a passion for acting. Leaving college, he packed his grandfather's large 1984 Buick Electra and set off cross-country to Hollywood with just a credit card and $200. His first stop was Miami, where a photographer friend took headshots that led to modeling opportunities in Paris.
He modeled in Paris for two years before Polo brought him to New York as their in-house model for another two years. Within weeks of leaving Georgia, Wade found himself living and working in two of the world's most vibrant cities—Paris and New York. After four years, he decided it was time to visit his original destination, California.
During Oscar season in Hollywood, Wade was invited to Elton John’s Oscar party. While engaged in a lively discussion with a famous actor, an annoyed guest told him to be quiet. Wade responded with a blunt southern retort that caught the attention of Scott Karp, a William Morris agent, who gave Wade his card. Scott remains Wade’s manager to this day.
Convinced to pursue acting in Hollywood, Wade relocated six months later. He quickly landed his breakthrough role on the long-running TV series 7th Heaven as Jordan Johansen, a recurring character and love interest to Jessica Biel and Beverly Mitchell. His nuanced acting resonated with fans, and he stayed on the show from 1998 to 2001.
After 7th Heaven, Wade starred in USA’s "Class Warfare," launching his acting career. In 2003, between acting jobs, he auditioned as bassist for the rock band Operator and secured the position. Signed by Atlantic Records to a five-album deal, Operator toured extensively, performing to large crowds and sharing stages with bands like Cheap Trick, The Black Crowes, Buckcherry, Velvet Revolver, Audioslave, Hinder, Shinedown, Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold, and Korn.
Though Operator eventually disbanded due to creative and financial disputes, they left behind the acclaimed 2007 album "Soul Crusher," three top-10 rock singles, and a track featured on the 2008 Madden Football soundtrack for Sony PlayStation.
In 2008, while touring in Spokane, Washington, Wade slipped on ice, herniating a disc. During his eight-month rehab, amid the financial crisis, he returned to Atlanta to heal. He then spent six weeks in the Yucatan on a spiritual retreat, reflecting on his next life chapter. He chose to attend barber school.
Wade’s barbering journey was a natural progression. He had been cutting hair since middle school, styling teammates during his athletic career. His first Mohawk was cut in seventh grade, making barbering a logical new passion.
A year later, Wade returned to Los Angeles and began working at the Chaz Dean studio, then Baxter Finley, before establishing his own practice. Since returning, he has appeared in several commercials and two films, released a self-produced album showcasing his skills on multiple instruments and vocals, and earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Wade has embraced numerous creative and spiritual paths throughout his life. "It's amazing how all these small pieces fit together in my life. I guess that's why they call it 'life.' I know without a doubt that I'm on a path."
A true Renaissance man, Wade has been a licensed shiatsu practitioner, Jiu-Jitsu instructor, certified yoga teacher, rock musician, model, barber, and actor. Once an actor, always an actor—watch for more of Wade on screens near you soon.
