Eric Winter Facts: Celebrities Who Started on Soaps

Eric Winter is a television and film actor who is best known for his work in projects such as The Mentalist, The Rookie, Witches of East End, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and The Ugly Truth. He was also on a soap.

Along with his acting career, Winter is also an author and has voiced a character in a video game. From where he was born and raised to the special gift Sharon Osbourne gave him, here are five fast facts about the actor.

Who Is Eric Winter?

He was born on July 17 in La Mirada, California, where he also grew up. He then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he got his degree in psychology. Winter originally wanted to become a doctor, but he decided to scrap that plan when he found acting.

Model Behavior
Prior to landing any acting roles, he got his start in the entertainment industry as a model. In fact, modeling was how he was able to pay his way through college. Winter landed a major print campaign for Tommy Hilfiger and he also appeared in a commercial with Britney Spears for her fragrance, Curious.

Soap Beginnings
His first contract role was as the original Rex Brady on Days of our Lives, who he played for three years. Following his time on the soap, Winter went on to appear in primetime on shows like Charmed, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Brothers & Sisters.

Thanks, Sharon

During a pre-interview for his appearance on Sharon Osbourne’s talk show, Winter was asked if he had any pets. He said no but that he had just purchased a house and wanted an English bulldog. Well, fast forward to the actual interview, and Osbourne gave the actor a little bulldog puppy, who he named Lily. Winter had the dog for 13 years and is grateful to Osbourne for placing her in his life.

Getting Personal With Eric Winter
He was married to actress Allison Ford from 2001 until their divorce in 2005. He became engaged to actress Roselyn Sánchez (ex-Pilar, As the World Turns) in January 2008 and they tied the knot on November 29, 2008. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Sebella Rose, on January 4, 2012, and their second child, son Dylan Gabriel, on November 3, 2017.