About Ian

Ian James Schexnaider was born and raised in Houston, Texas and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Performing onstage from the age of 4, Ian spent his transformative years cutting his teeth in the vibrant Houston theatre community. He graduated with B. F. A. in Acting & Directing from Sam Houston State University and moved to Los Angeles in 2018.

Ian made his Los Angeles theatre debut in the ensemble of Rubicon Theatre’s South Pacific, being cast on his first audition in LA, The following year, Ian won the award for Best Breakthrough at the 2019 HoustonPress Theatre Awards for his acclaimed run as Ethan Kane in Stages Theatre’s production of Sex with Strangers, scoring a nomination for Best Leading Actor as well. During the pandemic, he performed as Billy Hargrove in the original LA cast of Netflix and SecretCinema on The Stranger Things Drive Into Experience. Ian made his international Feature Film debut in a lead role in Paradies(2023), filmed in Belize. Paradies won Best Independent Film(Hollywood) and Best Director (Dale Stelly) at the 2023 HAPA Awards. In September 2023, Ian returned to the stage in the role of Edward/Tom in Stages Theatre’s production of Switzerland, based upon Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. He has since appeared in The Contract(2024) on ALLBLK, and A Demon’s Revenge(2025) filmed on location in Puerto Rico, on BET+.

In TV has had a day player role in Buried in the Backyard on the Oxygen Network, and worked on sets of the The Adventures of Cliff Booth, written by Quentin Tarantino and Directed by David Fincher, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Winning Time, Griselda, The Offer, Hunters, Extremely Wicked Shocking Evil and Vile, Hollywood, and Daisy Jones and the Six.

In addition to acting Ian is also a writer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist playing both piano and guitar. Ian maintains a freelance career in production having collaborated on campaigns with Universal Studios, Apple,Versace, Mercedes-Benz, HBO, Karol G, Vogue, Charlie XCX, Travis Scott, SZA, Uber, New Era, GAP, Chase, Hulu, Square, On Running, P!nk, Hyundai, and others.

When he’s not on the go Ian enjoys peanut butter, running, and being in his plant dad era. He has 21 children and counting…