A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, newcomer Nick Wechsler grew up not that far from the setting of "Roswell," a show that marks his second starring role on a network series. (His first was as Trek in "Team Knight Rider")

The fifth in a testosterone-tilted brood of eight sons, Wechsler grew up in Albuquerque, where his parents and most of his siblings still live. His father is a sheet-metal worker; his mother is a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service. He began his acting career in high school, turning in what he modestly describes as "awe-inspiring performances" in every succeeding school play.

Wechsler moved to Hollywood immeditately after graduating from high school, and spent the next six months trying to break into the business. He soon landed a small role as a purse-stealing punk in the TV movie "Full Circle." Shortly after, he was cast as Kevin "Trek" Sanders, a child prodigy conceived at a "Star Trek" convention, in the syndicated series "Team Knight Rider." He also appeared in "Silk Stalkings,", "Lazarus Man" and the feature film "The Perfect Game."

He currently resides in Los Angeles.

From the WB Roswell Press packet

The Character of Kyle Valenti

Kyle Valenti has evolved from a mildly menacing character to someone who is obsessed with destroying Max Evans, for having the effrontery of taking his girlfriend, Liz Parker, away from him. Kyle mixes genuine concern for Liz with an obsessive possessiveness of her, and he also exhibits a calculated cruelty in his treatment of Max as his way of getting back at Liz. In many ways, he is his father’s son, methodical and relentless in his desire to "get" Max Evans, but underneath that insolent air is a hurt young man bewildered by the changes in the person that he cares the most about. Kyle is popular and athletic, but he also seems to bear the scars of his parents’ broken marriage.

I did admire the way he stood up to his friends for beating up Max without his knowledge or consent, but in recent episodes, he seems to be emerging as a constantly threatening and taunting presence in the daily lives of the other characters. It will be interesting to see what direction Kyle takes in the future, either as a true villain and ally of his father, or a protective and concerned friend to Liz and the other characters.

Character sketch by Jerry D.

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