Born and raised in Chicago, Tristan knew from an early age that he needed to be an actor. It was never a matter of if he would do it, but solely an issue of when and how. Being a small kid and drama class enthusiast didn't win him any friends in 1980s Chicago, but Tristan (back then 'Wendell') carried on his aspirations through the bullying all the way to highschool graduation. That was the start line he'd set for himself in achieving his goals.

Despite his mother's protests that he attend college, for a "real future" and "back-up plan", a week after graduation he was in a car to drive down to California with his best friend and try their luck in the so-dreamed film industry. Though it might sound odd to someone used to luxury, sharing a small apartment in the shittiest neighborhood in town while working dead-end jobs was one of Tristan's happiest times.

For the first time, he felt free and like an adult. Of course, his parents still footed his half of the rent, but he was a man after his dreams. The honeymoon didn't last long. Surprisingly to no one other than Tristan himself, Hollywood was not as ready for him as he was ready for Hollywood. Los Angeles was a whole new world. People looked different and considered emotional abuse "pep talks". He realized quickly that he'd have to figure out who he was, or someone else would decide it for him.

As he'd started taking martial arts to deal with the bullying in high school, Tristan focused on centering his mind and shaping up his body. Where he'd been fit before, the pressure to stand out got him into a rigid fitness regimen. With roles taking their sweet time trickling in, Tristan was forced to look elsewhere for means to support himself. He started working part time at the gym he exercised at and eventually fell under the wing of an older female personal trainer there.

She guided him through the basics and through getting the necessary credentials to work as a trainer. Of course, while this happened, they also started a romantic relationship that would fizzle shortly after Tristan got established as a personal trainer, with some big names in his clients book, thanks muchly to the networking of his former mentor-slash-girlfriend. Needless to say, the break-up was considered opportunistic and his ex felt understanbly used. Tristan claims to this day that the spark simply ran out and he was genuine in his affection while it lasted.

With real Hollywood connections now, he got pointed in the direction of certain casting calls by his clients. There were plenty of rumors of "alternative" training lessons that he offered to his clients, none of which Tristan felt the need to contradict. Instead, he worked on broadening his PT portfolio, as well as the types of gigs he went after. Using his physique and martial arts background, he got a few roles as a stuntsman and body double. Despite his face never being on screen, Tristan figured this was progress.

Throughout the 2000s, Tristan got several small roles on TV shows, until finally catching a break in 2012. Cast in "Magic Mike" among great talent and under the direction of one of Hollywood's greatest, his face was finally featured on screen...along with his abs. The role might not have helped his serious actor reputation, but it certainly did open a lot of doors for Tristan. 2012 was a lucky year, as it was also when his second starring role movie was released, 21 Jump Street. The success of the movie helped establish his name for casting agents and finally casting calls for bigger projects started coming in.

In 2015, he was cast as The Punisher, to star alongside his best friend. In what may be the role to prove himself more than a pretty face, Tristan is happy for where he's at and excited for what's to come.