Alex O`Loughlin is an Australian actor. Alex O`Loughlin is currently starring in the CBS television series, Hawaii Five-0. His best known earlier roles are in The Shield, Moonlight, and romantic comedy film, The Back-up Plan, where he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez.

Alex O`Loughlin was born in Canberra, Australia. He was educated at Hawker Primary School and has a sister. His parents got divorced when he was two years old. Like many small boys, he wanted to become a jet fighter pilot when he grew up.

School was a continuous struggle, caused by learning difficulties that were compounded by ADHD and OCD. Alex O`Loughlin enrolled at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, in Sydney, in 1999. He went on to graduate from in June 2002, after completing their highly competitive three-year, full-time Bachelor of Dramatic Art program.