Jeremy Lee Renner was born in Modesto, California, the son of Valerie(Tague) and Lee Renner, who managed a bowling alley. After a tumultuous yethappy childhood with his four younger siblings, Renner graduated from BeyerHigh School and attended Modesto Junior College. He explored severalareas of study, including computer science, criminology, andpsychology, before the theater department, with its freedom ofemotional expression, drew him in.

However, Renner recognized the potential in acting as much through thelocal police academy as through drama classes. During his second yearat Modesto Junior College, Renner role-played a domestic disturbanceperpetrator as part of a police-training exercise for an easy $50.Deciding to shift his focus away from schoolwork, Renner left collegeand moved to San Francisco to study at the American ConservatoryTheater. From there he moved to Hawaii and, in 1993, to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Renner devoted himself to theater, most notablystarring in and co-directing the critically acclaimed "Search andDestroy." He pursued other projects during this time as well, landinghis first film role in 1995'sSenior Trip (1995).After several commercials and supporting roles in television movies andseries, Renner captured the attention of critics with his gripping,complex portrayal of the infamous serial killer in the 2002 filmDahmer (2002). Renner's performance, whichearned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination, is especiallyremarkable for painting a humane and sympathetic, yet deeplydisturbing, portrait of the title character.

In 2003, Renner took a break from small indie films to work on hisfirst commercially successful movie,S.W.A.T. (2003), withColin Farrell. In 2005, he playedthe leading role inNeo Ned (2005) as aninstitutionalized white supremacist in love with a black girl, winningthe Palm Beach International Film Festival's best actor award. Renner'spivotal supporting roles in 2005's12 and Holding (2005) andNorth Country (2005) earned himaccolades from critics, and his 2007 turn inTake (2007) garnered him the best actoraward at California's Independent Film Festival. Also in 2007, Rennerplayed a leading role in the horror film28 Weeks Later (2007) as well as asupporting role in the underrated Western epicThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007),withCasey Affleck,Brad Pitt, andSam Rockwell.

Renner's depiction of Jeffrey Dahmer in 2002 caught the attention ofdirectorKathryn Bigelow, and, in 2008,she cast him in his most famous role as Sergeant First Class WilliamJames inHurt Locker (2008).Renner's performance as a single-minded bomb specialist scored him anAcademy Award nomination for best actor. He also earned best actornominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, the Screen ActorsGuild, and the BAFTA Awards, as well as wins in this category fromseveral film critics groups.

In 2009, Renner starred in the short-lived TV series,The Unusuals (2009), and in 2010he played the chilling but loyal criminal Jem inBen Affleck bank-heist thrillerZa taun (2010). In the fall of 2010,Renner began filmingM:I-4 - Mission: Impossible 4 (2011). He has also since starred inAvengers (2012),American Hustle (2013), andKill the Messenger (2014).

Renner's strengths as an actor derive not only from his expressive eyesbut also from his ability to thoroughly embody the characters heportrays. His visceral depiction of these individuals captivatesaudiences and empowers him to steal scenes in many of his films, evenwhen playing a minor role. Renner gravitates toward flawed,complicated, three-dimensional characters that allow him to explore newterritory within himself.

In addition to his work as an actor, Renner continues to cultivate hislifelong love of music. A singer, songwriter, and musician, heperformed with the band Sons of Ben early in his career. Scenes inLove Comes to the Executioner (2006),North Country (2005), andThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)briefly showcase Renner's singing talents.

Despite traveling the world for film roles and, recently, as a UnitedNations Goodwill Peace Ambassador to raise awareness for mine-clearingefforts in Afghanistan, Renner remains close to his roots. In 2010,Modesto Junior College presented him the Distinguished Alumnus award inrecognition of his body of work as an actor. He also headlined at abenefit for Modesto's Gallo Center for the Arts in the fall of 2010.

Renner maintains a sense of humility and gratitude, even in the wake ofhis recent successes and recognition. He keeps himself grounded byrenovating and restoring old and rundown iconic Hollywood homes, anenterprise he began back in his early days in Los Angeles. He valuesloyalty and a sense of both age and history, and enjoys the opportunityto help conserve these qualities in a town that favors the young andthe new.