Trivia: Making her stage bow at age five in a community production of Alice in Wonderland, Linda Lavin spent the next ten years studying piano under the watchful eye of her stage mother. After majoring in theater arts at William and Mary College, Lavin appeared in stock in New Jersey, then weathered the chorus-audition rounds in New York, making her off-Broadway debut in a 1960 revival of Oh, Kay (1960). Two years later, she reached Broadway in A Family Affair. She went on to play Lois Lane (a la Ethel Merman) in the short-lived 1965 Broadway musical It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, and when that show folded she starred in the off-Broadway production Wet Paint, which earned her a Theatre World Award. The musicomedy review The Mad Show followed, then Lavin was selected by director Alan Arkin to play Patsy Newquist (one of her favorite roles, and one that earned her the New York Critics' Outer Circle Award) in Jules Feiffer's Little Murders (1968). She subsequently played all the female roles in 1969's Cop-Out (another of her favorites) and Elaine Navazio in Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers. From 1968 onward, Lavin made periodic trips to Hollywood. Her work as detective Janice Wentworth during the 1975-76 season of TV's Barney Miller led to a supporting role in the pilot episode of the proposed series Jerry. CBS nixed Jerry but signed Lavin to a development deal, which of course developed into her ten-season (1976-85) hitch as waitress Alice Hyatt in the popular sitcom Alice. Recalling that her counterpart in the 1975 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore was an aspiring singer, Lavin inked her Alice contract on the assumption that the producers would permit her to sing--which they did, on practically every other network program except Alice. Returning to Broadway after her series folded, Lavin won a Tony award for her performance in Neil Simon's Broadway Bound, and also starred in Gypsy and The Sisters Rosensweig. She also made a brief return to TV as Edie Kurland in the one-season comedy Room for Two (1992). Linda Lavin was at one time married to actor Ron Leibman.

Trivia: While growing up in Chicago, Tom Bosley dreamed of becoming the star left-fielder for the Cubs. As it turned out, the closest Bosley got to organized athletics was a sportscasting class at DePauw University. After additional training at the Radio Institute of Chicago and two years' practical experience in various dramatic radio programs and stock companies, he left for New York in 1950. Five years of odd jobs and summer-theater stints later, he landed his first off-Broadway role, playing Dupont-Dufort in Jean Anouilh's Thieves' Carnival. Steadier work followed at the Arena Theatre in Washington, D.C.; then in 1959, Bosley landed the starring role in the Broadway musical Fiorello!, picking up a Tony Award, an ANTA Award, and the New York Drama Critics Award in the bargain. In 1963, he made his film bow as Natalie Wood's "safe and secure" suitor Anthony Colombo in Love With the Proper Stranger. Occasionally cast as two-bit criminals or pathetic losers (he sold his eyes to blind millionairess Joan Crawford in the Spielberg-directed Night Gallery TV movie), Bosley was most often seen as a harried suburban father. After recurring roles on such TV series as That Was the Week That Was, The Debbie Reynolds Show, and The Sandy Duncan Show, Bosley was hired by Hanna-Barbera to provide the voice of flustered patriarch Howard Boyle on the animated sitcom Wait Til Your Father Gets Home (1972-1973). This served as a dry run of sorts for his most famous series-TV assignment: Howard Cunningham, aka "Mr. C," on the immensely popular Happy Days (1974-1983). The warm, familial ambience of the Happy Days set enabled Bosley to weather the tragic death of his first wife, former dancer Jean Elliot, in 1978. In addition to his Happy Days duties, Bosley was narrator of the syndicated documentary That's Hollywood (1977-1981). From 1989 to 1991, he starred on the weekly series The Father Dowling Mysteries, and thereafter was seen on an occasional basis as down-to-earth Cabot Cove sheriff Amos Tupper on Murder, She Wrote. Reportedly as kind, generous, and giving as his Happy Days character, Tom Bosley has over the last 20 years received numerous honors for his many civic and charitable activities.

Trivia: Jennifer Lopez's first serious screen role in Gregory Nava's 1995 Latino melodrama My Family followed years of training in television movies and series. Like Rosie Perez, Lopez began her career as a Fly Girl -- a dancer on the sketch comedy series, In Living Color -- and appeared in music videos by Puff Daddy and Janet Jackson. Her big break came in 1997 when she appeared in the title role of Nava's Selena, the story of the successful Tejano singer who was tragically murdered in 1995. Lopez was at first cast as a femme fatale -- due in no small part to her classic Latina beauty (she was born in the Bronx to parents of Puerto Rican descent) -- and worked almost exclusively with acclaimed directors: Francis Ford Coppola (Jack, 1996), Oliver Stone (U-Turn, 1997), and Bob Rafelson (Blood and Wine, 1996). In 1998, she had one of her most acclaimed roles, starring opposite George Clooney in Out of Sight, Steven Soderbergh's adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel. Cast as a deputy federal marshal who falls for a charming criminal (Clooney), Lopez won raves for her tough, sexy performance, and in the process, she became the highest paid Latina actress in Hollywood history. That same year, she earned an introduction to a new generation of fans by lending her voice to the popular Antz (1998). The lavish but much more adult-oriented thriller The Cell (2000) followed shortly thereafter, bringing Lopez one of her first number-one openings. In an attempt to curry favor from the rom-com crowd, Lopez lightened things up a bit opposite Matthew McConaughey in 2001's romantic comedy The Wedding Planner. Though Lopez was consistently smooth in her frequent transitions from actress to songstress, her next role in the supernatural romance Angel Eyes (2001) failed to click with audiences and critics alike, and her role in the cathartic revenge thriller Enough (2002) likewise disappeared from theaters shortly after its release. Though Maid in Manhattan (2002) was ultimately relegated to a similar fate as her last few films, few could anticipate the outright hostility with which her 2003 comedy Gigli would be greeted. In the movie, Lopez was cast as a female gangster assigned to keep an eye on a kidnapper (played by then-real-life-boyfriend Ben Affleck) who is holding a psychologically challenged young boy hostage. The harsh public backlash against the film was likely due (at least in part) to over-saturated media coverage of the duo's tumultuous off-screen relationship. Though the film's failure wasn't exactly what one would call a career-ender for either star, their shoddy onscreen dynamic reportedly led director Kevin Smith to excise most of Lopez' role in the Affleck-starrer Jersey Girl.Finally, in 2005, it appeared the actress' string of bad box-office luck had possibly reached its end. Teaming up with Jane Fonda for the latter thespian's first feature in over a decade, Lopez scored a modest hit with the comedy Monster-In-Law. The Lasse Hallstrom-helmed drama An Unfinished Life followed later the same year with Lopez opposite heavy-hitters Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman. Lopez married singer Marc Anthony in 2006, and gave birth to twins in 2007. She subsequently worked less over the next few years, opting to spend time with her family. Lopez would get back into acting with the 2010 romantic comedy The Back-up Plan, but sadly, she and Anthony would separate in 2011. She continued to slip effortlessly between film, music and television, including taking a job as a judge on American Idol, setting up a residency in Las Vegas and starring and producing in her own show on NBC, Shades of Blue.

Trivia: Whether burning-up the ice as an all-star high school hockey player, studying pre-med at Pepperdine, singing in the all-state chorus or essaying one of many roles on stage, screen, or television, multi-faceted actor Eric Christian Olsen has worn many hats on his way to celebrity stardom. Born in Eugene, OR, and raised in Bettendorf, IA, Olsen spent most of his early years playing hockey and writing for his high school newspaper, not discovering his love for acting until after graduation, when he landed a commercial role in a television spot for Whitey's Ice Cream Parlor. Olsen was soon actively seeking out both stage and screen roles, and, following his television series debut in Millennium, he had a memorable performance as a burn victim on ER and made his feature debut in Arthur's Quest (1999). Soon drawn in to the millennial teen movie boom, Olsen's career continued to flourish in such films as Pearl Harbor and Not Another Teen Movie (both 2001). Following a starring turn in the 2002 drama Local Boys, the burgeoning actor appeared the same year in the Rob Schneider comedy The Hot Chick. In addition to his film work, Olsen was also the youngest improvisation comedian in the nation for Comedy Sportz, a live comedy show suitable for the entire family. He played the role of the younger Lloyd Christmas in the Dumb and Dumber prequel, and in 2004 he starred in the horror film Cellular. He continued to work in a variety of projects including Beerfest, License to Wed, Fired Up, The Back-Up Plan, and Celeste and Jesse Forever.

Trivia: Began his career in the theater in Sydney, appearing in plays by Chekhov and Tolstoy. Screen tested for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale, which eventually went to actor Daniel Craig. Left his recurring role on The Shield when he landed his own series, Moonlight. Named Person of the Year in 2010 for the charity Donate Life.

Trivia: First gaining notoriety as Sookie on the hit sitcom Gilmore Girls, actress Melissa McCarthy began her onscreen career with a bit part on her cousin's The Jenny McCarthy Show. Minor film and TV roles followed before she landed the aforementioned part of Sookie St. James, a role she would play throughout Gilmore Girls seven-season run on The WB/CW. In 2007, McCarthy was cast in a supporting role alongside Christina Applegate on the ABC comedy Sam I Am.She found genuine success with the sitcom Molly and Me, playing one-half of a weight-challenged couple opposite Billy Gardel and earning an Emmy nod for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. However, it was her supporting turn in the R-rated comedy Bridesmaids that brought her a taste of mass adulation as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Trivia: Lafayette, LA, native Danneel Harris first caught the attention of the public eye as a model for Juicy Jeans before displaying her talents as an actress with roles in One Life to Live, What I Like About You, Joey, and Jag. While the skilled gymnast, pianist, and vocalist was best known for her television roles early on, she soon segued into features in such films as Parental Guidance Suggested and Ten Inch Hero. In 2005, Harris joined the cast of the small-screen weekly sports drama One Tree Hill as town vixen Rachel Gatina -- a role perfectly suited to her vampish good looks. Subsequently slated to appear in Harold and Kumar 2, Harris was quickly coming into her own as a comic actress when she made Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100" list in 2007. In the coming years, Harris would continue to find success on the small screen, particularly on Friends with Benefits.

Trivia: Born to Indian Muslim parents in New York City; grew up in Stone Mountain, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. Parents didn't allow her to take drama courses in high school, but she was finally able to pursue acting at Boston University's College of Fine Arts; also performed with an Atlanta theater company during summer breaks. After arriving in Los Angeles following graduation, landed a leading role in West Bank Story, a musical comedy that won the 2006 Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Made her TV debut in a 2005 episode of CSI: NY. Is fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati.

Trivia: Lived in Portland from 1996 to 2000. Starred in productions of The Misanthrope and How I Learned to Drive at the Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland. Acted with the Circle X Theatre of Los Angeles. Appeared at an event for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles called the Day of Jewish Learning & Culture. Is a member of the Groundlings company of Los Angeles.

Trivia: Tagged along on his twin sister Taylor's first visit to an agent. It turned out that she decided not to pursue a career, but he soon got modeling jobs and roles in commercials. Made TV debut on Fox's Talkshow With Spike Feresten, appearing in nine episodes in 2008 and '09; also had a recurring role in TNT's Hawthorne (2010). Was the third actor to play Bobby Draper on Mad Men (2009-10).

Trivia: Is the daughter of a yoga teacher who taught yoga to celebrities. Began acting at age 5, though her actor father tried to discourage her from the profession. Nominated for a 2012 Young Artist Award for her role in Spy Kids: All the Time in the World. Was originally considered too young for the lead role in Girl Meets World, but then the producers reconsidered and cast her. Had a parent who was her teacher (her dad was her PE teacher for awhile), similar to Riley's situation in Girl Meets World. Enjoys singing.

Trivia: Was named after the legendary singer/ songwriter B.B. King, who was born Riley B. King.Started acting when he was 3.Made his TV debut playing Three-Year-Old Axl in the 2009 episode "The Front Door" of the sitcom The Middle.Has appeared in commercials for Netflix, DirecTV, Clear Mobile Internet and Lowe's.Is perhaps best known for his role of Ralph Dineen on the action-drama CBS series Scorpion.

Trivia: Started her career as an actress in The Second City, a renowned comedy theater.Made her debut as an actress in films in 1998.Made her debut as a writer while on stage in The Second City wrote several revues.In 2004, she made her debut in television.Has supported her local improv community in Detroit over the years.Is a member of the comedy group Mama's Boy, along with actresses Amy Phillips, Nancy Edwards, and Jaime Moyer.

Trivia: His fascination with animals began at an early age while living and working on his grandfather's farm. Was a judo champion in his adolescence. Entered the U.S. illegally in 1990, with just $100 and the clothes on his back, knowing no English. Trained Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's Rottweilers in 1994; they recommended him to their friends and also helped him learn English. Opened the Dog Psychology Center, a two-acre facility in Los Angeles, to address behavioral problems in dogs and educate dog owners. Published the best-selling dog-training book, Cesar's Way, in 2006.

Trivia: In feature films, actress Jennifer Elise Cox is best known for her funny, fractured performance as perennially slighted middle child Jan Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel. Before making her film debut in the former, Cox had experience on stage, including appearances in two operas in New York, Don Giovanni and Madame Butterfly, and has guest starred on television series, including Murphy Brown and Wings.