New York City native Connor Paolo was still a teenager when he landed the life-changing role of the complex high school student, Eric van der Woodsen — who had some crazy family connections — on the iconic The CW television show “Gossip Girl.”

Conor Paolo was cast alongside some serious up-and-coming actors including Penn Badgley as the cool in-law, Dan Humphrey, Ed Westwick as the sharp-dressed half brother, Chuck Bass … and of course, Blake Lively as his sister, Serena van der Woodsen.

Connor went on to also star in the ABC drama “Revenge.”