Vampire craze HBO "True Blood" actor has family ties to St. Augustine

Vampires are in right now. Very in. Film, television and literature are all taking a turn for the undead (think the uber-popular "Twilight" series).

Paul Trammell, a local musician, artist and Lincolnville resident, knows a thing or two about mythological creatures -- his younger brother, Sam, plays shapeshifter Sam Merlotte on HBO's hit vampire series "True Blood," produced by Alan Ball ("American Beauty," "Six Feet Under") and based on a popular book series called "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" written by Charlaine Harris.

In the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning show, Sam's character is the mysterious owner and bartender of Merlotte's. His character is two-fold. Half the time he shapeshifts into a dog while the other half he is busy seeking the affection of Sookie Stackhouse (played by Anna Paquin).

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