If you walked past Jason Priestley today in a Nashville grocery store, you might not even realize you just brushed shoulders with the man who basically owned the 1990s. He’s okay with that. Actually, he’s more than okay with it—he’s leaning into it.
The guy who played Brandon Walsh, the moral compass of Beverly Hills, 90210, has traded the glitz of the Hollywood Hills for the humidity of Tennessee and a career that is surprisingly busier than ever. Most child stars or teen idols hit a wall. They fizzle out or spend their lives chasing a ghost of their 21-year-old selves. Jason didn't.
Instead, he’s entered this weirdly productive "elder statesman" phase of his career where he’s acting, directing, and calling out rental car companies on Instagram like a regular dad.
The Nashville Move: It Wasn't About the Music
People always assume celebrities move to Nashville to start a country music career. Not Jason. Honestly, the move was about high schools.
He and his wife, Naomi Lowde-Priestley, looked at the options for their daughter, Ava, in Los Angeles and just... didn't love them. It’s a very "dad" move. They expanded their search, found a school they liked in Tennessee, and packed the bags. In 2024, he told Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos that he doesn't miss L.A. at all. Zero regrets.
He’s living that suburban life now. He’s got two kids—Ava, who is 17, and Dashiell, who is 15. Apparently, his daughter loves to watch old 90210 episodes just to roast him. She makes fun of his "mom jeans" and those clunky flip phones. It’s a humbling reality for a guy who used to have his face on every bedroom wall in America.
Private Eyes and the Big Canadian Comeback
While he lives in the South, his paycheck mostly comes from the North. Canada loves Jason Priestley.
For five seasons, he starred in Private Eyes as Matt Shade. It was a massive hit. So big, in fact, that they just greenlit a spinoff called Private Eyes West Coast. They started filming in Victoria, B.C., in early 2025. It’s a total reinvention of the show, moving the sleuthing from Toronto to the rugged beauty of Vancouver Island.
He’s also a regular on the CW’s Wild Cards. He plays George Graham, a suave, silver-tongued con man who also happens to be the lead character's father. It’s a great role because it lets him be a little bit "bad," which is a nice break from the squeaky-clean Brandon Walsh image that followed him for decades.
Why He Still Matters (And Why He Punched Harvey Weinstein)
There’s a reason Jason Priestley today still commands respect in an industry that usually forgets people after six months. He’s got "tegu." That’s a racing term, but it fits his life. He’s survived a near-fatal boat racing accident in 1995 and a massive car crash at the Kentucky Speedway in 2002 that literally required his face to be reconstructed.
He’s tough.
He also famously punched Harvey Weinstein at a Miramax party back in 1995. This was long before the world knew the truth about Weinstein. Jason didn't care about the power dynamic; he just didn't like how the guy was talking to him. That kind of authenticity is rare.
What’s on his plate right now:
- Private Eyes West Coast: Currently filming and already renewed for a second season before the first even aired.
- Wild Cards: Recurring as the lovable-but-dangerous George.
- Directing: He’s behind the camera for more shows than most people realize, including episodes of Van Helsing and Rookie Blue.
- Retro Con UK: He’s heading to Birmingham in May 2026 to meet fans. It’s a rare chance for the "90s kids" to see him in person.
The Reality of Being a "Legacy" Star
Jason is 56 now. He’s very aware that he "looks like Brandon’s dad now." He’s not trying to hide the gray hair or pretend he’s still the heartthrob from West Beverly High.
That’s probably why he’s survived. He transitioned from "the guy" to "the guy who knows how everything works." He directs. He produces. He stays out of the tabloids. He’s basically the blueprint for how to have a long-term career in show business without losing your mind.
He still deals with regular person problems, though. Just this past December, he went viral for a "worst-ever" travel experience at the Salt Lake City airport. He was stuck with a mountain of luggage and two grumpy kids, venting on Instagram like any other frustrated traveler.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re looking to keep up with Jason or dive back into his work, here is how to do it without falling for clickbait:
- Watch the new stuff: Don't just stick to 90210 reruns. Call Me Fitz is arguably his best work—it's dark, gritty, and hilarious.
- Follow the directing credits: If you see a show that looks particularly well-paced, check the credits. There’s a high chance Jason directed it.
- Check out Wild Cards on The CW: It’s a light, fun procedural that shows off his range as a character actor rather than just a leading man.
- Read his memoir: If you want the real story of the Brad Pitt roommate days and the racing crashes, his 2014 book Jason Priestley: A Memoir is surprisingly honest and lacks the typical celebrity "polish."
He’s settled. He’s working. He’s living in Nashville. Jason Priestley today is exactly where he wants to be—far enough from Hollywood to be happy, but close enough to a camera to stay relevant.