Tyler Blackburn
An American actor who brought grounded heart and emotional depth to supernatural teen dramas, becoming a fan-favorite for over a decade.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American actor and singer·Birthday: October 12·Millennials
Biography
Tyler Blackburn moved to Los Angeles with a clear-eyed determination, landing early roles in commercials and on Nickelodeon before finding his defining break. Cast as the brooding but kind-hearted Caleb Rivers on 'Pretty Little Liars,' he turned what could have been a stereotypical role into a nuanced portrait of a young man grappling with family secrets and his own identity. His performance resonated deeply, earning him a lead role in the show's supernatural spin-off, 'Ravenswood.' Blackburn later showcased his range as Alex Manes on 'Roswell, New Mexico,' portraying a military veteran confronting alien conspiracies and complex family dynamics with a compelling mix of toughness and vulnerability. Beyond acting, he has pursued music, releasing indie-pop tracks that reflect a more personal creative side. His career is marked by a consistent ability to connect with audiences through characters who are authentically flawed and human, even within fantastical settings.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tyler was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tyler Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Tyler's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Caleb Rivers across seven seasons of the hit series 'Pretty Little Liars' and its spin-off 'Ravenswood'.
- Starred as a series regular, Alex Manes, for four seasons on The CW's 'Roswell, New Mexico'.
- Released original music as a singer-songwriter, including the 2019 single 'Find My Way'.
Did You Know?
He is an avid painter and has shared his abstract artwork on social media.
He worked as a telemarketer for a timeshare company before his acting career took off.
He is a self-taught guitarist and pianist.
“I wanted to show there's more to a character than what's on the page.”
