# Justin Chatwin
**Justin Chatwin** (born 1982) is a Canadian actor known for playing Robbie Ferrier, the son of [Tom Cruise](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-cruise)'s character, in [Steven Spielberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-spielberg)'s *[War of the Worlds](https://www.edgepedia.org/war-of-the-worlds-2005-film)* (2005), for starring as Goku in *Dragonball Evolution* (2009), and for his role as Jimmy Lishman on the Showtime series *Shameless*.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/chatwin-justin-1982) Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, he has worked across Hollywood studio films, Canadian independent cinema, and American television since 2001.[2](https://www.tribute.ca/people/justin-chatwin/13155/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/chatwin-justin-1982) |
| Breakthrough | Robbie Ferrier in *War of the Worlds* (2005), directed by Steven Spielberg[3](https://www.straight.com/article/war-opens-world-to-nanaimo-actor) |
| Highest-grossing film | *War of the Worlds*: $368.6 million in the US and $610.5 million globally[4](https://www.25thframe.co.uk/stars/stars.php?name=Justin+Chatwin) |
| Recent work | *Reagan* (2024) as Jack Reagan; *Sleepwalker* (2026) and *Sweetness* (2026)[5](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-63454/filmographie/) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/?showAllCredits=true) |
## Early life and start in acting
Chatwin left Nanaimo for the [University of British Columbia](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-british-columbia) when he was six weeks shy of his 18th birthday, enrolling in engineering like his father before him. He lasted a week in engineering before switching to commerce. A few weeks later he accompanied a friend to an audition and won a role in the Vancouver-shot miniseries *Christy, Choices of the Heart, Part I: A Change of Seasons*; within a year he had left university to act full time.[3](https://www.straight.com/article/war-opens-world-to-nanaimo-actor) His first film appearance was a bit part as a teenage fan in *[Josie and the Pussycats](https://www.edgepedia.org/josie-and-the-pussycats-film)* (2001), followed by guest spots on *Smallville* and *Mysterious Ways* the same year.[2](https://www.tribute.ca/people/justin-chatwin/13155/)
## War of the Worlds and studio films
**The Spielberg breakthrough.** In 2005, five years into his acting career, Chatwin auditioned for *War of the Worlds* in Los Angeles, then flew to [Saskatchewan](https://www.edgepedia.org/saskatchewan) to go duck hunting with his father. His agent reached him by phone outside a [Canadian Tire](https://www.edgepedia.org/canadian-tire) store in minus-10 degree weather to tell him he had the part of Robbie Ferrier, the son of Tom Cruise's character.[3](https://www.straight.com/article/war-opens-world-to-nanaimo-actor) The film became his highest-grossing appearance, with $368.6 million earned in the United States and $610.5 million worldwide.[4](https://www.25thframe.co.uk/stars/stars.php?name=Justin+Chatwin) Chatwin later described being turned away at the barricades on his first day of shooting because no one on set recognized him.[3](https://www.straight.com/article/war-opens-world-to-nanaimo-actor)
The same year he appeared as Billy in *The Chumscrubber*, and in 2007 he starred as [Nick Powell](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-powell) in *The Invisible*.[1](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/chatwin-justin-1982) • [7](https://www.fandango.com/people/justin-chatwin-115882/film-credits) In 2009 he headlined *Dragonball Evolution*, the live-action adaptation of the *Dragon Ball* manga, playing Goku.[7](https://www.fandango.com/people/justin-chatwin-115882/film-credits)
## Television and Canadian independent film
Through the 2000s he had also made guest appearances on series including *Weeds* and *Lost*, and his other television credits include *Orphan Black*, *Doctor Who*, and *American Gothic*. [8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/justin-chatwin/credits/3000117021/)**Canadian work.** In the 2010s Chatwin worked largely in independent film. He also appeared in the Quebec-made drama *Funkytown* (2011) and the romantic comedy *Unleashed* (2016).[7](https://www.fandango.com/people/justin-chatwin-115882/film-credits) • [9](https://www.filmsquebec.com/acteurs/justin-chatwin/)
## Recent projects
Chatwin played [Jack Reagan](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-reagan) in the biographical drama *Reagan* (2024), and in 2026 he appeared in two thrillers: *[Sleepwalker](https://www.edgepedia.org/sleepwalker-2026-film)*, released January 9, 2026, in which he played Michael and served as executive producer, and *Sweetness*, a Canadian-produced horror drama written and directed by Emma Higgins, released February 13, 2026, in which he played [Ron Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/ron-hill).[5](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-63454/filmographie/) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/?showAllCredits=true) • [10](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/news/)
He is set to star in *Salt & Honey*, a coming-of-age film directed by Amy Redford alongside [Anna Camp](https://www.edgepedia.org/anna-camp) and Jesse Garcia, whose worldwide distribution rights were acquired by [Angel Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/angel-studios); production was set to begin in Helper, Utah.[11](https://www.nybusinesstimes.com/angel-to-distribute-independent-film-salt-honey-directed-by-amy-redford/) IMDb lists him in post-production on *Salt & Honey* and pre-production on *Boneyard Canteen*.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/?showAllCredits=true)
## References
1. [Chatwin, Justin 1982– , Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/chatwin-justin-1982)
2. [Justin Chatwin Biography & Movies, Tribute.ca](https://www.tribute.ca/people/justin-chatwin/13155/)
3. [War opens world to Nanaimo actor, The Georgia Straight (July 7, 2005)](https://www.straight.com/article/war-opens-world-to-nanaimo-actor)
4. [The Movie Star Database – Justin Chatwin, 25th Frame](https://www.25thframe.co.uk/stars/stars.php?name=Justin+Chatwin)
5. [Justin Chatwin : Filmographie, AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-63454/filmographie/)
6. [Justin Chatwin (I), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/?showAllCredits=true)
7. [Justin Chatwin Filmography and Movies, Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/people/justin-chatwin-115882/film-credits)
8. [Justin Chatwin List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/justin-chatwin/credits/3000117021/)
9. [Justin Chatwin, Films du Québec](https://www.filmsquebec.com/acteurs/justin-chatwin/)
10. [Justin Chatwin – News, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154226/news/)
11. [Angel to distribute independent film Salt & Honey, directed by Amy Redford, NY Business Times (March 13, 2026)](https://www.nybusinesstimes.com/angel-to-distribute-independent-film-salt-honey-directed-by-amy-redford/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › Canadian actors › Surnames A to Co*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license