Andre De'Sean Shanks was born in Schweinfurt, Germany, and spent his early life moving around the country with his parents, who were stationed in various locations due to his father's active role in the military. This nomadic lifestyle allowed Andre to experience different parts of the United States, including New York, North Carolina, Louisiana, and abroad.
As he grew older, Andre's family eventually settled in DeRidder, Louisiana, where he graduated from DeRidder High School. It was during his senior year that his youth pastor gave him the lead role in a play, sparking Andre's interest in acting. He had caught a serious case of the "acting bug" and was no longer content with just being an observer.
Despite being enrolled at Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to study Physical Therapy, Andre decided to drop out after three semesters to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He took a leap of faith, leaving behind the security of a stable career path to follow his passion.
Andre's introduction to the acting industry came when he heard an advertisement on the radio in 2008 that was seeking talent. Through this opportunity, he met an agent named David McDermott, who gave Andre his starting foundation. For the next two years, Andre worked as an extra and non-paid actor in indie films, gaining valuable experience and making connections in the industry.
In 2010, Andre found talent representation in New Orleans, Louisiana, but his early years as an actor were marked by disappointments and setbacks. However, in 2012, things began to look up when he booked his first principal role in the television series "Breakout Kings" in the episode entitled "SEALd Fate."
The success of this role gave Andre the confidence to further develop his skills and mold his craft as an actor. He enrolled and attended The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City, where he honed his skills and continued to pursue his dreams. Despite the challenges he faced early on, Andre's passion for acting has only grown stronger, and he remains committed to his relentless pursuit of success in the entertainment industry.
