Austin Lee Basis was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York's Sea Gate, a little beach community near the famous Coney Island boardwalk. His mother, Shari, was a dedicated teacher for over 30 years, and his father, Arthur, managed a meat-distribution company for nearly two decades. He has a younger brother, Jeremy, who is also a teacher.
From a very young age, Austin felt comfortable in the spotlight, entertaining people and making them laugh. Initially, he dreamed of playing major league baseball as a catcher for the New York Mets, but when it became clear that biology and genetics were preventing that from happening, he shifted his focus to becoming a doctor. However, even that eventually became an elaborate form of procrastination.
Throughout his childhood, Austin performed in various plays, usually musical comedies, despite his lack of singing ability. He took on roles such as "The Sun" in a kindergarten play, the title role of Dracula in a Junior High School production, and the Dentist in a summer camp version of "Little Shop of Horrors." His performances mapped out his future.
Austin went on to major in Theater at Binghamton University, where he performed in the title roles of "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead" and "I Hate Hamlet," among others. He continued his training and education at the Actors Studio Drama School, earning an MFA in Acting.
After graduating, Austin became a lifetime member of the Actors Studio, where he worked with renowned actors like Al Pacino, Faye Dunaway, and Estelle Parsons, and under the tutelage of Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel, Arthur Penn, and Lee Grant.
Austin struggled as an actor in New York for a few years, working odd jobs to make a living while taking classes to hone his audition skills, working "in Session" at the Actors Studio, and performing in independent and student films, and Off-Off-Broadway plays. He also co-created and performed in an improv and sketch comedy show called "Mmm...Comedy" that ran for seven months.
Austin's television debut was in the Comedy Central film "Porn 'n Chicken" (2002). His break came in 2004 when he was cast in an episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001). He then landed a role in a Warner Brothers TV pilot for FOX called "Spellbound" (2004) with Christine Baranski, Barry Bostwick, and Dave Annable. He soon moved to LA and began making a living as an actor.
Austin has since appeared on numerous television shows, including "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006),"Supernatural" (2005),and "Life on Mars" (2008). His diverse film credits include "Dorian Blues" (2004),"Boxboarders!" (2007),"American Zombie" (2007),"My Sassy Girl" (2008),and "The Other End of the Line" (2007),traveling as far as India to shoot them.
He enjoys a successful commercial career, appearing in spots for Toys 'R' Us, Wendy's, Dr. Pepper, State Farm, and Burger King. He also plays Benjamin Bankes the Pig in the Ad Council's "Feed the Pig" campaign.
Austin enjoys drawing and writing poetry.
