He has been a series regular on many TV comedies and dramas, and has also appeared in films directed by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Greengrass, Shawn Levy, Robert Zemeckis, and Michael Patrick King.

Basche, who describes his demeanor then as an "angry, smart-ass kid," tried out for and landed the lead role after a school counselor suggested he take up acting to channel some of his anger and emotion.

He appeared in the 2005 film War of the Worlds in the role of Tim, the stepfather of Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin's characters.

In 2008 he portrayed Mike Harness in Lipstick Jungle on NBC for two seasons, while simultaneously playing the role of Kenny Kagan on The Starter Wife on USA Network.

Basche is married to the actress Alysia Reiner; they met during a summer stock production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.