You’ve probably seen Ashton Moio a dozen times without even realizing it. Honestly, that’s kind of the hallmark of a great character actor and stunt performer. He’s one of those faces that pops up in a gritty teen drama one night and a massive blockbuster the next. From the supernatural chaos of Teen Wolf to the dystopian brutality of The Hunger Games, his filmography is way more extensive than most people give him credit for.
Most fans know him as Rico from Twisted, the loyal but somewhat socially awkward best friend. But if you look closer at the credits for Ashton Moio movies and tv shows, you'll find a career built on a unique blend of martial arts, high-stakes stunt work, and genuine acting chops. He isn't just a guy who says lines; he’s a guy who can take a punch, fall off a building, and then deliver a monologue.
The Early Days and That One Guest Spot in Dexter
It’s wild to think he started acting professionally when he was just eleven. He didn't just stumble into it; his father, John Moio, is a legendary stuntman, so the industry was basically in his blood. One of his earliest and most unsettling roles was in the first season of Dexter.
Remember Simon? The kid getting bullied who crosses paths with a young Dexter Morgan in a flashback? That was him. It was a tiny role, but it set the stage for a career often spent in the darker corners of television. Around that same time, he was doing the rounds on classic mid-2000s shows like Everybody Hates Chris and Zoey 101. He was basically the go-to kid for "tough teenager" or "troublemaker" roles because he actually had the physical presence to back it up.
The Big Break: Twisted and the District 6 Tribute
If we’re talking about where things really kicked off, we have to talk about Twisted. Playing Rico was a turning point. It gave him a chance to show some range beyond just being the "stunt guy." Rico was the moral compass in a show that was essentially about a possible teenage murderer returning to his hometown. It was nuanced, and fans actually cared about his subplot, which isn't always easy to pull off in a teen mystery.
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Then came the movies. Most people forget he was in The Hunger Games. He played the District 6 Tribute. If you blinked, you might have missed him during the bloodbath at the Cornucopia, but that’s the reality of being a tribute—it’s fast, violent, and usually ends badly. But for Moio, it was a massive credit to have on the resume, especially since he was doing his own stunts.
Why Teen Wolf Fans Still Talk About Donovan
If you’re a fan of the MTV Teen Wolf era, you definitely remember Donovan Donati. This wasn't just another guest role. Donovan was a tragic, angry, and eventually terrifying antagonist in Season 5.
The transformation from a petty criminal with a grudge against Sheriff Stilinski into a Wendigo-Lamprey Chimera was some of the show's creepiest work. Moio brought this frantic, desperate energy to the role. The scene where he’s chasing Stiles through the library is still one of the most intense sequences in the series. Honestly, his death—impaled on a construction hook—is one of the few moments where the show felt truly like a horror movie.
What made Donovan work wasn't just the CGI teeth; it was the way Moio played the human bitterness underneath. You almost felt bad for him, right until he tried to eat the main characters.
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A Career Built on Stunts and Scares
Beyond the big names, Moio has carved out a massive niche in the horror genre. He’s appeared in:
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (as Hector)
- Let Me In (as Lanky Kid)
- Haunting on Fraternity Row
- Rosewood Lane
He’s clearly comfortable in the macabre. Maybe it’s because he has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and knows how to move his body in ways that look convincing on screen, even when things get supernatural. He’s also worked as a stunt double or performer on huge projects like The Purge and Project X.
In the 2015 film Dope, he played Lance, showing he could handle the vibe of a high-energy, stylized indie film just as well as a jump-scare horror flick. He’s versatile. That’s the word that keeps coming up when you look at his work.
What's Next and How to Catch Up
As we move through 2026, Moio continues to bridge the gap between acting and stunt coordination. He’s recently been involved in projects like L.A.'s Finest and the short film Furlong.
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If you want to dive into his work, don't just stick to the hits. Look for his guest spots on Lucifer or Shooter. You’ll start to see a pattern of a performer who is incredibly reliable and brings a level of physical realism that you don't always get from actors who haven't spent years training in martial arts.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch Twisted on streaming: It’s probably his most "human" performance and shows why he’s more than just a character actor.
- Revisit Teen Wolf Season 5: Specifically episodes "Creatures of the Night" and "Condition Terminal" to see his transformation into Donovan.
- Check the stunt credits: Next time you watch a major action movie, keep an eye on the credits. Chances are, the Moio name is in there somewhere, keeping the tradition of high-octane Hollywood stunts alive.
Whether he’s playing a bullied kid, a District 6 tribute, or a terrifying chimera, Ashton Moio has built a career that's surprisingly deep. He’s proof that you don't need to be the lead in every movie to leave a lasting impression on the audience.