Youngest of 3 sons born to Peter and Queenie Palladino. He grew up in Yonkers, and wanted to become an actor since seeing Robert De Niro's performance in Raging Bull when he was 12. A year later, he joined a children's repertory company. He and his brother, Chris, performed together in Chris' alternative rock band, "No More Happy Faces". Erik majored in theatre at Marymount Manhattan College, graduating in 1991. He then continued playing in NMHF, while also pursuing his acting career. His breakthrough role came on TV's ER.

Was arrested for assault when he was 17. Was given 1 year probation, and the charges were then expunged (source: People Weekly magazine) He attended and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College, in New York City. He was a big fan of Bon Jovi. He had long hair (ala heavy metal). Has a dog named Daisy He graduated from all-boy Catholic Archbishop Stepinac High School. This prompted him to go to the almost all-female Marymount Manhattan College. His mother, Queenie, was a junior high school teacher. His father, Peter, is a heating contractor. Dated actress Sarah-Jane Potts. [2001]