Fugit was diagnosed with ADHD during high school, an experience he has spoken about in various interviews. Around the age of 15, he began skateboarding—a skill that later influenced one of his character roles. While attending East High School, he discovered his passion for acting, taking on the role of a shoemaker in a school production of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Acting Career Beginnings

Following his early interest in theater, Fugit began to land television roles. He appeared in episodes of the CBS series Touched by an Angel and its spin-off, Promised Land. He also had a part in the Fox TV movie Legion of Fire: Killer Ants! released in 1998.

Breakthrough with Almost Famous

Fugit gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of William Miller in Almost Famous (2000), a coming-of-age drama that follows a young rock journalist. Although he played a die-hard rock fan in the film, Fugit later admitted he knew little about 1970s rock music at the time of filming. His performance was met with critical acclaim, instantly launching him into the spotlight.

Notable Film Roles

Following the success of Almost Famous, Fugit took on a variety of roles showcasing his range. In White Oleander (2002), he portrayed a socially awkward comic book artist. He took a darker turn as a naïve drug addict in the 2002 black comedy Spun.

In the 2004 satirical drama Saved!, Fugit played a pastor’s son and skateboarder who becomes romantically involved with a popular teen who re-evaluates her religious and moral beliefs after an unexpected pregnancy. Notably, the character was originally written as a surfer, but changed to a skateboarder to reflect Fugit’s real-life experience.

In 2005, he co-starred in the independent comedy The Moguls (also known as The Amateur), which centers around a small town's accidental venture into adult filmmaking. In 2011, Fugit appeared in We Bought a Zoo, a family drama directed by Cameron Crowe, further solidifying his working relationship with the filmmaker.