Aaron Ashmore
A versatile Canadian actor who carved out a niche playing loyal, quick-witted sidekicks and heroes across beloved sci-fi and fantasy series.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Canadian actor·Birthday: October 7·Generation X
Biography
Aaron Ashmore emerged from the Canadian film and television scene with a steady, grounded presence that made him a reliable fixture in genre storytelling. While his identical twin brother Shawn found early blockbuster fame, Aaron built his career through consistent, character-driven work. His breakout role as a modern, resourceful Jimmy Olsen on 'Smallville' demonstrated his knack for bringing heart to supporting parts. This led to a string of cult-favorite roles, most notably as the morally upright Agent Steve Jinks on 'Warehouse 13' and the scrappy, charming spaceship captain Johnny Jaqobis on 'Killjoys,' a performance that earned him a Canadian Screen Award nomination. Beyond sci-fi, he has shown range in family dramas like 'Locke & Key' and medical series like 'SkyMed,' proving his adaptability across decades in the industry.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Aaron was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aaron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Aaron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination for his lead role as Johnny Jaqobis on the space adventure series 'Killjoys'.
- Portrayed a fan-favorite version of Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen across five seasons of the hit series 'Smallville'.
- Played the stoic and honest ATF Agent Steve Jinks on the popular sci-fi series 'Warehouse 13'.
- Starred as Duncan Locke in the Netflix supernatural horror series 'Locke & Key', based on the graphic novels.
Did You Know?
He is the identical twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore, who played Iceman in the 'X-Men' film series.
He and his brother are the first identical twins to both receive stars on Canada's Walk of Fame.
He is an avid hockey fan and has played in celebrity hockey games for charity.
“I prefer to play characters that are grounded and have a real sense of humanity.”
