Joshua Leonard - Biography

Joshua Leonard is a Los Angeles-based actor and filmmaker, who first garnered attention for his memorable role in 1999's lo-fi thriller, Le projet Blair Witch (1999). Leonard has continued to work in projects that push the envelope, including 2009's Independent Spirit Award-winning Humpday (2009), HBO's acclaimed series, Hung (2009) and Showtime's United States of Tara (2009).

Leonard had two films that premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. As an actor, starring in Vera Farmiga's directorial debut Higher Ground (2011), Leonard played a man at odds with his wife (Farmiga). He also directed and starred in The Lie, a devilish morality tale adapted from the story by acclaimed author, T.C. Boyle. The project, co-starred indie darlings Mark Webber, Jess Weixler, and Jane Adams.

Most recently, he completed filming The Motel Life, an adaptation of Willy Vlautin's novel, starring opposite Emile Hirsch and Kris Kristofferson.

Leonard directed the short film, The Youth in Us (Sundance '05). Art doc, Beautiful Losers followed, winning the Grand Jury prize at Cinevegas in 2008. He has also directed music videos for many popular acts, such as Morcheeba, Harper Simon, and Fitz and the Tantrums.