Biyografi
Andrew was conceived in California and born in Staten Island, New York, a borough of New York City. He was placed in an orphanage in Manhattan, where he was later adopted by a family in Yonkers, New York. Before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in October 2001, Andrew was a successful fashion model. He was in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, an experience he will never forget. Andrew is a loving and devoted father to his three children: Andrew Jr., Alexander, and Zoe McLaren. He also raised a stepdaughter named Lauren (ChiChi) from his six-year marriage to Puerto Rican fashion model Melissa McLaren (Garcia).
In 2003, while serving as a Marine in an elite anti-terrorism unit, Andrew deployed to war-torn Liberia. In 2005, he was deployed to Iraq during the most dangerous phase of the Iraq War before the surge. Andrew received an honorable discharge and numerous medals for his service to his country. In 2006, he worked for Blackwater USA as a State Department contractor, providing armed protection for U.S. government convoys, diplomatic security in Iraq, and support to the Secret Service.
Alongside acting, writing, and producing films and TV series, Andrew has worked as an independent contractor, conducting dozens of counterterrorism, executive protection, and security missions worldwide for government agencies, billionaires, politicians, A-list celebrities, and foreign royalty. Today, Andrew is one of the most recognized military veterans who transitioned into Hollywood, having appeared on NBC's prime-time series "Stars Earn Stripes" with "American Sniper" Chris Kyle, a show that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for U.S. military veterans and first responder charities.
Andrew also co-starred in the award-winning dramatic film "Battle for Haditha" and starred in his own TV series, "Chrome Underground," which aired in the U.S. and internationally. He is the executive producer of the independent feature film "Sugarfields," starring J.W. Cortes and Anna Demidova.
An animal lover, Andrew supports the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. He is an advocate for peace, promoting diplomacy over war, understanding the heavy burdens and costs of armed conflict firsthand. Andrew’s dream is to increase funding for after-school programs focused on the arts and to inspire as many children as possible to be creative and ambitious. He is also passionate about humanitarian efforts to combat poverty, hunger, and homelessness in the United States.
