Charlie Schlatter was born on May 1, 1966, in Englewood, New Jersey. It was in junior high school that he fell in love with acting. He liked a girl and auditioned for the school play "Oliver" to impress her. The audition was a success, and he got the leading role. Later, Charlie attended Ithaca College, where he earned a BFA in musical theater. He starred in numerous plays there and became a skilled musician, playing guitar, drums, and piano. He spent his summers appearing in summer stock. During a performance of George Bernard Shaw's 'Misalliance', he was spotted by a casting director, who asked him to audition for Bright Lights, Big City (1988), playing the younger brother of Michael J. Fox's character. It was his first professional audition. Success! In 1994, Charlie married his current wife, Colleen, who works as a publicist and life coach. They have three children and live in southern California.