Born on April 24, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, Eric Balfour’s first television appearance was as a member of the children’s television show Kids Incorporated, for one season. He received a Young Artists Award, along with the rest of the show’s cast, for Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Cable Series. He then appeared in other television programs, such as Arresting Behavior, Step by Step, Animaniacs and Boy Meets World, and in television movies such as Bloodlines: Murder in the Family and No One Would Tell. He made his film debut in 1996’s Shattered Image.
In 1997, he starred in the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where he eventually became Jesse McNally, a recurring character in the first series. He made guest performances in series such as Dawson’s Creek, Nash Bridges, Chicago Hope, NYPD Blue and The West Wing. He also starred in three short-lived television series: Hawaii, which was cancelled after seven episodes; Sex, Love & Secrets, which was cancelled after four episodes; and Conviction, which was cancelled after one season.
Balfour had a recurring role in the first season of drama Six Feet Under, where he played Gabriel Dimas, Claire Fisher’s (Lauren Ambrose) boyfriend during her senior year in high school. He also had a recurring role in The O.C., as Theresa’s (Navi Rawat) fianc?e Eddie. He also starred in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
In 2001, Balfour was given the role of Milo Pressman in the first season of 24. His character was a computer technician brought into CTU to work on a key card left by a deceased agent. He later proves to be pivotal in the group’s mission. He reprised the role in the program’s sixth season, although for only nineteen episodes, before leaving on his own accord. He also appeared in the television pilot Protect & Serve, and the 2008 film Hell Ride.