Van Hansis

Evan Vanfossen Hansis (born 25 September 1981) is an Emmy nominated American actor. Hansis, who uses the name Van professionally, currently stars on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns as Luke Snyder, the son of one of the show's signature supercouples, Holden and Lily Snyder (played by Jon Hensley and Martha Byrne) - although his biological father is Damian Grimaldi. He made his first appearance on 14 December 2005, taking over the role from Jake Weary. Shortly after taking over the role of Luke, the character came out as a gay man in a storyline in spring 2006.

Hansis graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004. Prior to joining ATWT, Hansis starred in the Broadway play The Laramie Project, among other stage shows. In 2006 he also starred in the short film The Time Machine.

He is good friends with co-star Elena Goode, who played his cousin and former faux love interest, Jade Taylor.

Van Hansis was born September 25, 1981. Originally from Greenfield, MA, Van began acting in theater camp as a kid.

He received a BFA in Acting from the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. He has worked professionally at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts, in productions of On the Razzle, Twelfth Night, and The Indian Wants the Bronx.

Van has traveled extensively, having studied theatre in Moscow during his time at Carnegie Mellon. He also visited various countries in Latin America as a child.

He joined the cast of As the World Turns on December 14, 2005, taking over the role of Luke Snyder.

A recent transplant to New York City, Van bike rides around his new city, every chance he gets. He is also teaching himself to cook.

In an Out Magazine interview, he mentioned a few of his favorite "gay things": He admires Ian McKellen, thinks Rufus Wainwright writes the best lyrics, counts Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt as his favorite musician, and thinks Velvet Goldmine is a great movie.