Dean was born in Redlands, California to Deanna (Newell), a graphics designer for the Behavioral Sciences Center in Stanford University and M. Darroll Wood, PhD; Professor of Geophysics and earthquake scientist. Subsequently raised in Los Altos, California, Dean discovered acting while attending college-first performing at Foothill College in Los Altos, and later at U.C. Berkeley. When not onstage, Dean prefers more adventurous exploits-particularly hiking and mountaineering: he has summited several peaks, and has led treks to the summit of Mt. Whitney 3 times.Having obtained two Bachelor's Degrees-in Psychology and Dramatic Art, Dean subsequently attended Summer Programs at National Theatre Conservatory in Denver and American Conservatory Theatre, before heading to Los Angeles to join the Masters of Fine Arts actor program at UCLA.After receiving his MFA, Dean became a continuing member of Theatre Forty in Beverly Hills, and co-created the sketch comedy group, "the Wet Naps," which performed regularly at the Comedy Store in Hollywood and San Diego. Show less «