Andrew J. West was born in Merrillville, Indiana, and spent his formative years in the adjacent town of Lake Station. His passion for acting was evident from a young age, but he didn't initially pursue it as a career path. Instead, he enrolled in Indiana University, where he initially studied philosophy and anthropology, deliberately avoiding the theatre department.
However, his decision to audition for university plays marked a significant turning point in his life. He began landing roles, including the lead in Eric Bogosian's "Suburbia", which instilled in him the confidence he needed to pursue a career in acting. West began writing, producing, and acting in short films with his college friends, some of which went on to win awards and receive festival recognition.
After relocating to Los Angeles with his close friends, West's talent and drive quickly landed him a manager, and he soon began securing roles. His breakthrough came when he landed the role of the young "Christian Troy" in the cult classic FX show "Nip/Tuck", garnering attention from producers and casting directors alike.
West's subsequent roles included simultaneous recurring parts on "Greek" and "Privileged", as well as guest appearances on hit shows such as "Bones", CSI:NY, "Ghost Whisperer", "Castle", and "Body of Proof". He also ventured into comedy, starring in the critically acclaimed web series "Rockville, CA" from Josh Schwartz, and guest starring on "Shit My Dad Says" and "Suburgatory".
These comedy roles led to West securing the lead roles in two network pilots: ABC's "Who Gets The Parents", opposite Jane Kaczmarek and Adam Arkin; and "Family Practice", opposite Christopher Lloyd and Jean Smart.