What actor played Jack Shephard in Lost?

Matthew Fox played Jack Shephard in Lost. Jack is the show's central character: a spinal surgeon who becomes the de facto leader of the survivors after Oceanic Flight 815 crashes on a mysterious island.

Fox played Jack throughout all six seasons, which originally aired from 2004 to 2010. The role made him internationally known after his earlier work as Charlie Salinger on Party of Five. Fox reportedly first auditioned for James “Sawyer” Ford, but co-creator J. J. Abrams believed he was better suited to play Jack.

A common mix-up is confusing the actors in Lost's central love triangle. Josh Holloway played Sawyer, Evangeline Lilly played Kate Austen, and Dominic Monaghan played Charlie Pace. Fox's character is also connected to Claire Littleton: later in the series, Claire is revealed to be Jack's half-sister. Jack's leadership, medical skill, and conflict between science and faith drive much of the show's story.