Dane Cook Biography (1972-)

Comedian, actor. Born March 18, 1972 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cook was raised Irish Catholic alongside six siblings in the Boston suburbs. As a kid, he would perform stand-up for his family, often mimicking his favorite TV comedians like Bill Cosby and Johnny Carson. He began performing in comedy clubs in 1990 and landed a spot on Comedy Central’s Premium…

Henry Cavill Biography (1983-)

Actor Henry Cavill studied drama at Stowe School in England before trying his hand at a professional career in show business, beginning with a small role in The Count of Monte Cristo in 2001. Cavill was 18 and had already developed the square jaw and piercing stare that would soon make him a successful leading man, going up…

Tim Minchin Biography (1975-)

Tim Minchin’s initial aspirations leaned more toward music and acting than comedy. In his hometown of Perth he completed an Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Music as well as recording an album called Sit with his first band, Timmy the Dog, before moving to Melbourne. In Melbourne he joined a covers band as a keyboardist, acted in the theater,…

Paul Wesley Biography (1982-)

New Jersey native Paul Wesley got a foothold in the acting industry with a recurring role on the daytime soap The Guiding Light in 1999. More regular appearances followed on other shows, like Wolf Lake, Everwood, and American Dreams, as well as in movies like Roll Bounce and Peaceful Warrior. In 2009, Wesley was cast in a starring…

Michael Gough Biography (1916-2011)

Born in Malaya to British parents, Michael Gough attended Wye Agricultural College before realigning his career goals by taking classes at the Old Vic. Gough made his first theatrical appearance in 1936 and his first film in 1948. He lists King Lear as his favorite stage role, though one suspects that he is equally fond of the character…

Seann William Scott Biography (1976-)

Known in the halls of history as the smirking Stifler from the 1999 teen sex comedy American Pie, Seann William Scott found his niche in show business due in no small part to that very iconic, wisecracking character. Born in Cottage Grove, MN, Scott finished high school early and moved to L.A., where he soon caught a…

Steven Seagal Biography (1952-)

A master of several Japanese martial arts, Steven Seagal is a popular action movie hero whose films combine spiritual concepts and social/environmental consciousness with high-voltage violence. Born in Lansing, MI, on April 10, 1951, Seagal traveled to Japan at the age of 17. There, he taught English, studied Zen, and perfected his martial arts, earning black belts in…

Hayley Atwell Biography (1982-)

British actress Hayley Atwell rode to fame on the crest of her role as the female lead in Woody Allen’s resonantly English, crime-themed black comedy Cassandra’s Dream (2007), then signed for another prestigious assignment — the lead in Julian Jarrold’s period drama Brideshead Revisited (2008), adapted from the seminal novel by Evelyn Waugh.

Jaime Ray Newman Biography (1978-)

Michigan native Jaime Ray Newman explored her love of performing through many avenues over the years, singing with a jazz band and founding her own theater company in addition to regularly appearing in movies and on TV. Her onscreen career began in 2001, when she landed the role of…

Jared Padalecki Biography (1982-)

Texas native Jared Padalecki was only 12 years old when he started studying acting. He took to the stage all throughout high school, competing on his school’s speech team and appearing in school plays. In 1999, the 17-year-old won Fox’s “Claim to Fame” contest and had the chance to appear at the Teen Choice Awards. The opportunity led…

Kelsey Grammer Biography (1955-)

Actor, director, writer, producer Kelsey Grammer was born Allen Kelsey Grammer on February 21 (some sources cite Feb. 20), 1955 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Following the shooting death of his father when he was a boy, Grammer was raised in New Jersey and Florida.

Tragedy continued when his sister was abducted and violently murdered when Grammer was 20….