If you grew up watching the Disney Channel, you’re familiar with Shia LaBeouf-he played the lovable, scheming Louis Stevens on Even Stevens. Since then, LaBeouf has shed his goofy Louis Stevens image to become one of the most sought after new actors.

LaBeouf was born June 11, 1986, in Los Angeles. His parents are Jeffrey LaBeouf and Shayna Saide: LaBeouf is their only child. He was named after his grandfather who was also a comedian. His father is a hippie-esque Cajun who had many different jobs, including stand-up comic, rodeo clown and artist. His mother is a former ballerina. They divorced when LaBeouf was 10; to help him deal with the tension, he began performing comedy routines which inspired him to perform further. He got the acting bug when he saw a friend on the TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Soon, he found an agent and joined an improvisational group.

He was in a couple TV shows and made for TV movies, but his big break came when he was cast as Louis Stevens in Even Stevens. The role won him a Daytime Emmy. He was in several Disney channel movies including Hounded, Tru Confession and Even Stevens Movie. Tru Confession was a big departure from his role as Louis, as he played a mentally challenged teenager who teaches his sister what matters in life.

He began his movie career with the film Holes in 2003. The film, based off of the bestseller by Louis Sachar about a boy who was sent to juvenile detention camp, where he has to dig holes to build character. But, in reality, there’s a deeper secret at play. LaBeouf played Stanley Yelnats IV, who becomes the hero. He continued his movie career with Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd; Charlie’s Angels 2; Full Throttle; The Battle of Shaker Heights; I, Robot; Constantine and The Greatest Game Ever Played.

Throughout the last year, he’s been in several movies, such as Bobby and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. He has several films coming out very soon. Disurbia is coming out on April 13. It’s the story of Kale, who is placed under house arrest. All he can do is watch his neighbors. As he watches, he sees a murder. No one believes him, and he takes matters into his own hands.

Shia LaBeouf is becoming one of the most interesting actors of our time, and he’s one to watch.