Drew Bates was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Andy, a cabinet designer, and Jan, an equestrienne. Instead of paying attention in school (he was often found pretending and inventing) he was placed into a Talented and Gifted program where he was immersed into art, history and cultural awareness. He quickly became enamored with science, music, language and the art of storytelling. The works of Jacques Cousteau, Walt Disney, Stan Lee of Marvel comics, Saturday morning cartoons and early video games increased his growing passion for wild adventures and fueled a new one -- a desire for the performing arts.

Though initially attending the University of South Carolina as a Bio/Pre-Med. major, acting and storytelling were always in the background calling. In 1997, Drew switched his major after discovering the enormous University of SC Theatre Department, complete with graduate acting, directing, as well as both scenic and costume design programs. Also containing an arena and proscenium stages, it was the perfect place to lay down a solid foundation to build a career in entertainment. Drew got his start appearing in several student and main stage theatrical productions: Shakespeare, Eugene O'Neill, Tom Stoppard and Sam Shepard plays were his first leaps into a new life of adventure.

Drew scoured the area for any filmed medium work, appearing in several industrials, non-union shorts and SCETV projects. He also traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, NC, to audition for major features and national commercials. In 2001, Drew relocated to Los Angeles where he appeared in many non-union features, commercials and voice-over projects. He also trained with acting coach Gregory Berger-Sobeck, and at The Margie Haber Acting Studio. After earning membership into the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG), he began auditioning for voice-over on animation and video gaming projects, television and features.

On January 13, 2007 his story took a turn in another drastic direction. During a Las Vegas road trip, two days after celebrating his 32nd birthday, he was involved in a serious automobile accident. The truck Drew was driving hit a patch of black ice, causing him to skid across the median, where he was struck by an oncoming Semi-truck. Drew survived the impact, but, unfortunately, the force crushed his C5/C6 vertebrae, tail spinning him into a new life with Quadriplegia.

Undaunted and driven to succeed no matter what, Drew completely immersed himself in his recovery. After a year of intense rehab he returned to his pursuit of storytelling by first joining the Performers with Disabilities Committee through SAG, and then by starting his own company UniquePublications LLC, to develop new creative opportunities. The first project on Drew’s plate is comedic animated property for all ages entitled “Redneck Ninjas” which he wrote and is currently producing, as well as the forthcoming illustrated children’s book called "Werewolf," which focuses on young children dealing with bullies and bullying.