Born in Ocean City, MD, Hager has two homes. One in MD, and one in Youngstown OH. He started college in Salisbury State University and finished in Youngstown State with high honors. After graduating, he has taken on many roles including Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Ragtime (Father, Houdini), Christmas Carol (Scrooge, Fred, Marley) Sight & Sound's JESUS, the regional premier of A Bronx's Tale, the original run of Stolen at Blue Gate Theater and the Hallmark Musical production of When Calls the Heart.