Actor

7 series in the catalog

Joel West (born April 6, 1975) is an American actor and model, known for his work as a top male model in the 1990s and his television and film career.

Early life

Joel West was born in Indianola, Iowa. His mother, Jan Gipple, is a veterinary technician, and his father is Rob West; the parents divorced in 1989. He was raised on a 60-acre horse ranch in Indianola and attended Indianola High School. He attended Buena Vista University.

Modeling career

West began modeling at age 17 and was discovered by a local photographer at the Mall of America. He became one of the top male supermodels of the 1990s, known for an exclusive contract with Calvin Klein for several seasons. He has worked for major fashion houses including Versace and Hugo Boss, and was represented by Boss Models, the same agency that represented Marcus Schenkenberg, the first male supermodel. Notably, he walked in the Versace show in Milan and worked with renowned photographers including Richard Avedon and Herb Ritts.

He is signed to Nous Model Management in Los Angeles and formerly to Hello Models NYC in New York City.

Acting career

West has appeared in numerous television and film productions, including recurring roles in CSI: Miami, Heroes, and Days of Our Lives.

Personal life

West has been married to actress Anna Bocci since August 2002 and they have two children. His younger brother, Jake West, is a brain surgeon in Florida.