Josh Charles (born September 15, 1971) is an American actor whose film career took off with leading roles early on.

He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Knox Overstreet in the classic Dead Poets Society (1989), a role that helped establish him as a promising young actor.

In the 1990s, he continued to work in various productions, including the cult comedy *Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead* (1991) and *Threesome* (1994).

More recently, he has demonstrated his versatility in films such as Sam Mendes' drama *American Life* (2009). Charles is often cast as intelligent, charming, and complex characters with a sensitive streak or a troubled side, capable of shifting from “nice guy” roles to more ambiguous figures. Although he is also famous for his television roles, his filmography is full of multifaceted performances that attest to his artistic depth.