Wil Horneff

Wil Horneff, born William Samuel Horneff on June 12, 1979, in Englewood, New Jersey, is an American former child actor and martial artist. The eldest of four children, Horneff grew up in Saddle River, New Jersey, and attended Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell. His mother, Robin, worked as a choreographer, dancer, and teacher, and his parents together operated the Robin Horneff Performing Arts Center in Waldwick, New Jersey. His father, Van Horneff, held a range of occupations including pistachio farming, talent management, race car driving, and real estate development, and also ran a gymnastics mat business.

Horneff began his professional acting career in 1992 at the age of thirteen, making his Broadway debut that same year in John Guare's Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, performing alongside Stockard Channing and James Naughton. His screen work began with a supporting role as Phillips in the cult film The Sandlot, followed by a guest appearance on the television series Law and Order and leading roles in Ghost in the Machine and Born to Be Wild. He also appeared in the Emmy Award-winning miniseries Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.

Horneff received two Young Artist Awards from three nominations. In 1995, he won Best Young Leading Actor in a Made for TV Movie for his portrayal of Jody Baxter in The Yearling, and the following year he won Best Young Leading Actor in a Feature Film for his role as Rick Heller in Born to Be Wild.

He stepped away from acting to complete high school and subsequently attended Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a degree in English. During this period he also traveled to France, Spain, and Germany, and spent several months in Kostroma, Russia, working with underprivileged children. His family's European connections enabled him to become fluent in both French and German.

Horneff returned to acting in 2002 with a second guest appearance on Law and Order and went on to appear in series including The Handler, CSI: NY, and House, as well as horror films such as The Roost. Outside of his acting career, he competed in three Junior Olympics events and holds black belts in both karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, having won titles including the Pan American Championships and the U.S. Open in jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. He obtained a pilot's license after beginning flying lessons at age fourteen. Following his departure from acting, Horneff opened Training Grounds Jiu-Jitsu and MMA in Westwood, New Jersey, where he teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu.