Owain Yeoman

Owain Yeoman was a Welsh actor who was best known for playing Wayne Rigsby on CBS's "The Mentalist" (2008-2015). Born and raised in Wales, Yeoman grew up in a highly intellectual household. His father was a nuclear physicist, and promoted the importance of higher education to his children. Although Yeoman always had a desire to act, he took his father's advice and attended Brasenose College in Oxford, where he studied English Literature. Yeoman had every intent on continuing his studies and becoming a professional academic, but after failing to receive an educational grant, Yeoman decided to put the academic world aside and pursue acting. He then enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and soon began appearing on stage in various plays on London's prestigious West End. Yeoman landed his first film role in 2003 in the Oscar-nominated historical drama, "Troy." Although his part was small, the experience inspired Yeoman to leave the theater world behind and relocate to Los Angeles, where the promise of film and TV work was far more abundant. He quickly landed a role on the short-lived NBC series, "Kitchen Confidential" (2005-06), but the show was cancelled after only 13 episodes. Undeterred, Yeoman continued auditioning for TV roles and in 2008 nabbed the part of Sgt. Eric Kocher on the HBO mini-series, "Generation Kill." That same year, Yeoman appeared as Wayne Rigsby on CBS's "The Mentalist." He played the part of Rigsby on all seven seasons of the Golden Globe-nominated series. When "The Mentalist" ended its run in 2105, Yeoman picked up right where he left off by nabbing the part of Benedict Arnold on the AMC historical series, "TURN: Washington's Spies" (2014- ). He began appearing on the AMC period drama during its second season.