Jake Pavelka

Jacob Lynn "Jake" Pavelka is an American television personality, pilot, actor, and model. Born on January 27, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, he is best known for his appearances across multiple reality television programs, most notably serving as the star of the 14th season of ABC's reality series The Bachelor.

Pavelka is the middle of three sons born to Sallie Lanell, a nurse, and James Lynn Pavelka. Raised in Denton, Texas, he developed an interest in aviation early in life and began taking flying lessons at the age of twelve. He eventually became a pilot for Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Outside of aviation, he maintained a lifelong focus on fitness and has participated in triathlons. He is also a cousin of fitness model and television presenter Jessie Pavelka.

His career in entertainment began in the Dallas area, where he acted in several television programs and commercials under the name Jake Landrum. In 2009, Pavelka gained widespread television recognition as a contestant on the fifth season of The Bachelorette, featuring Canadian Jillian Harris. Although he was eliminated before the hometown dates, ABC selected him to star in the 14th season of The Bachelor in 2010. His season concluded with a marriage proposal to contestant Vienna Girardi, though the couple later split up in June 2010.

Following his run on The Bachelor, Pavelka expanded his reality television career. In 2010, he competed on the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars alongside partner Chelsie Hightower, finishing as the fifth couple eliminated. He subsequently appeared on several other reality programs, including the second season of Bachelor Pad in July 2011, VH1's Famous Food, and an episode of The CW's show H8R in September 2011. In 2014, he participated as a contestant on Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, and later made a surprise guest appearance on The Bachelorette with JoJo Fletcher in May 2016.

In addition to reality competition shows, Pavelka has taken on acting and hosting roles in scripted television and live entertainment. In June 2010, he was scheduled to guest-star as Toby Devlin on an episode of Drop Dead Diva, playing a contestant on a fictional dating show. He later appeared on the daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful in January 2011. Between February and March 2012, Pavelka served as a celebrity guest host for the Chippendales show in Las Vegas.