Trivia: From busking to blockbusters to small-screen crime drama, worldly actress Jill Hennessey has proven herself as an actress with talent to spare. As easy as it may be to see only her dark beauty, don't mistake the multilingual Hennessey as a one trick pony; she's also established herself as a successful restaurateur and a talented musician. Hennessey was born three minutes after her identical twin sister, Jacqueline, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in November of 1969. Her parents divorced when she was only a young girl, and her grandmother played a large part in raising her and her sister. It was during this time that young Hennessey took up cooking in order to help care for her family, and her passion for food would eventually lead her to open Hennessey's Tavern in Northvale, NJ, after establishing herself as an actress. Hennessey moved to New York following her graduation from Ontario's Grand River Collegiate, and for a time, she busked in the N.Y.C. subway, singing and playing the guitar for money. Though her career in entertainment may not have taken off quickly, it was only a matter of time before she found success. In 1988, both Hennessey and her sister got their first breaks with small roles in director David Cronenberg's acclaimed chiller Dead Ringers. In the following few years, she would repeatedly turn up on the small screen in Friday the 13th: The Series and The Hitchhiker. A three-year stint on television's popular Law & Order as ADA Claire Kincaid gained the rising starlet much exposure, and indie credit came with a supporting role in director Mary Harron's I Shot Andy Warhol. After roles in A Smile Like Yours and Most Wanted made 1997 a memorable year for her, Hennessey took the lead opposite pop star-turned-actor Jon Bon Jovi in the 1998 drama Row Your Boat. Subsequent films such as Komodo may have done little to advance Hennessey's career as a serious thespian, but she expanded into writing and directing with her all-star comedy The Acting Class in 2000. With more roles coming her way every day, Hennessey took on the daunting task of portraying none other that Jackie Kennedy in the 2001 miniseries Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot. Later that year she took the lead role in the small-screen drama Crossing Jordan, and it seemed as if she had finally arrived when the show proved to be a success, running for six years.Hennessy would wpend the next several years appearing in a number or projects, like the horse racing series Luck.

Trivia: Born February 7, 1955, intense character actor Miguel Ferrer specialized in playing villains, and brought to each role an unpredictable energy. Working steadily on television and in feature films, Southern California-born and raised, Ferrer was the eldest of five children and is the son of famed actor José Ferrer and jazz artist Rosemary Clooney. Inspired by watching Little Ricky banging away on drums during the I Love Lucy show and by Beatles percussionist Ringo Starr, Ferrer first aspired to become a professional drummer and for a few years worked as a studio musician. Acting credits came by way of small television and feature film roles. He debuted on television guest starring as a drummer on the NBC series Sunshine (1975). His first real break in movies came when he was cast in Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi actioner Robocop (1986). The tall, rangy actor subsequently appeared in films such as Revenge (1987) and Point of No Return (1991). Back on television, he gave a memorable performance as an emotionally volatile FBI pathologist in David Lynch's cult series Twin Peaks. Ferrer also starred as a Louisiana cop in Broken Badges. Other television credits include a guest-starring role on the NBC medical drama E.R., a supporting role in the telemovies Shannon's Deal and Brave New World, and a regular role on the comedy Lateline. In 2002, Ferrar appeared alongside Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, and Benicio Del Toro in filmmaker Steven Soderbergh's Academy award-winning drama Traffic, and worked in John Sayles' Sunshine state during the same year. Ferrer took on the role of Colonel Garrett in the 2004 update of The Manchurian Candidate, and lent his voice to episodes of the Cartoon Network favorites Robot Chicken (2006) and American Dad! (2007). The actor continued to work in television over the next couple of years, making appearances in NBC's update of the Bionic Woman series, and took on the part of LAPD Lt. Felix Valdez for The Protector, a made-for-television police procedural drama. He also had a recurring role as NCIS assistant director Owen Granger in NCIS: Los Angeles. Ferrer was diagnosed with cancer during his run on NCIS, but chose to stay on the show and work through his illness. He died in 2017, at age 61.

Trivia: Like Henry Thomas and a few others of the same generation, Jerry O'Connell proves that second acts are far from impossible for Hollywood actors who began their careers as children. O'Connell first gained recognition among film fans as "that fat kid from Stand By Me," when he starred in the 1986 Rob Reiner film at the age of eleven - then experienced a massive physical transformation. Several years and many lost pounds later, O'Connell emerged as a tall, handsome screen lothario, a development that provoked substantial commentary from both film critics and any number of lay viewers.Born in New York City on February 17, 1974, O'Connell enrolled in acting classes at the age of six. He obtained his first professional assignments acting in commercials when he was ten, and a year later made his film debut in the critically acclaimed Stand By Me. Though somewhat overshadowed by the presence of teen idol co-stars River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, O'Connell still managed to win a place in the coming-of-age pantheon. After Stand By Me, he appeared in the memorable syndicated television series My Secret Identity (as a high schooler with superpowers) and enrolled at Manhattan's Professional Children's School. Following his graduation, he attended New York University, where he attained a B.A. in Film and Television in 1995. While still an NYU student, O'Connell appeared in the eminently forgettable Jason Priestley vehicle Calendar Girl (1993).After his college graduation, O'Connell began to pursue thesping full-time. He soon landed a starring role on the sci-fi series Sliders, which, despite low ratings, had a very loyal viewership. In 1996, the actor's popularity grew beyond the confines of television when he starred in both Joe's Apartment and Jerry Maguire. The latter film was a particular success, and O'Connell began to land steady film assignments once again. Next up was the slasher movie Scream 2 (1997), in which he played Neve Campbell's boyfriend. After an uncredited role in the Jennifer Love Hewitt vehicle Can't Hardly Wait (1998), O'Connell returned to television to star as a young Vietnam War soldier in the miniseries The '60s in 1999. That same year, he starred as a neanderthal-like jock in Body Shots, a film about the search for love and/or a lay amongst a group of Los Angeles twentysomethings.At this point, if O'Connell still carried a full resume, he often seemed to alternate between respectable A-list material - such as the disappointing but ambitious Brian De Palma sci-fi'er Mission to Mars (2000) and the generally pleasant family comedy Yours, Mine and Ours (2005) - and ridiculous studio dreck, such as the misogynistic sex comedy Tomcats (2001) and the awful 2002 "family" picture Kangaroo Jack (where the actor co-starred alongside a wisecracking CG-animated marsupial). In fall 2007, O'Connell trekked back to the small screen for one of the three lead roles in the sitcom Carpoolers - about a cadre of male buddies who share rides to and from work each day. O'Connell would spend the next few years appearing in movies like Obsessed and Piranha, in addition to successful TV runs like Do Not Disturb and The Defenders.O'Connell married supermodel and actress Rebecca Romijn in 2007. The two have two children.

Trivia: Actor Ken Howard was 6'5" when he was a junior at Manhasset High School (he would later peak at 6'6"), and it was this physical fact, coupled with his remarkable athletic prowess, that assured him a position in Manhasset's "starting five." Offered several athletic scholarships, Howard turned them all down in favor of a liberal arts education at Amherst College, where he developed a taste for theatre. After two years' graduate work at the Yale School of Drama, he dropped out to accept a small role in the Broadway musical Promises Promises. In 1969, Howard graduated to stage stardom as Thomas Jefferson in the popular musical 1776, a role he would repeat in the 1972 film version. He went on to win a Tony Award for his performance in Child's Play, and to spend his summers essaying his two favorite roles, Billy Bigelow in Carousel and Chance Wayne in Sweet Bird of Youth. His first film was the 1970 Otto Preminger production Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon. In 1973, Howard and his frequent co-star Blythe Danner were cast in the series-TV version of the Tracy-Hepburn picture Adam's Rib (both stars had previously turned down MacMillan and Wife). Neither this series nor Howard's subsequent Manhunter (1974) clicked with the public. He was far more successful as high school basketball coach Ken Hughes on The White Shadow, which ran from 1976 to 1981 (and which, coincidentally, was produced by Blythe Danner's husband Bruce Paltrow). Howard's later TV projects included the title character in the 1984 American Playhouse production of Mark Twain's "Pudd'nhead Wilson;" the recurring role of Garret Boydston on both Dynasty and The Colbys (1985-86); his hosting chores on the syndicated 1986 talent show Dream Girl USA; and another hosting stint on the NBC documentary weekly What Happened? (1992). In 2009, Howard was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, a role he would continue after the union merged with another and became SAG-AFTRA. He continued to work as an actor, appearing on shows like Crossing Jordan, Cane, and 30 Rock, as well as movies like The Beacon. Howard died in 2016, at age 71.

Trivia: Canadian actress Jennifer Finnigan cut her teeth on the popular soap The Bold and the Beautiful in 2000 (playing Bridget Forrester for almost four years), and starred in the made-for-TV movie The Stalking of Laurie Show the same year she started on the series. Finnigan was comfortable with the medium of TV, and she would return to it with a recurring role on the popular show Crossing Jordan, on which she played pathologist Dr. Devan Maguire. The actress followed that up with a lead role on the quirky comedy series Committed (2005), in which she played the cheerful and eccentric Marni Fliss. When that show was quickly canceled, Finnigan bounced back with the lead role on the legal drama Close to Home, playing Assistant District Attorney Annabeth Chase; the series lasted for two seasons.

Trivia: A native of Cleveland, OH, actress Kathryn Hahn received her first taste of show business in the late '80s, when the then-teenager scored a live-action role opposite several puppets on the locally produced children's program Hickory Hideout. Hahn formally studied acting at the Yale School of Drama, and just prior to her final year of 2000-2001 (in mid-summer stock), the performer caught the attention of an NBC casting recruiter, who tapped her for a regular role on the prime-time drama Crossing Jordan; she played amiable grief counselor Lily Lebowski for the full run of the series (2001-2007).Meanwhile, film roles began pouring in right and left, beginning with visible turns as Kate Hudson's health editor roommate in the hit romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and as a barmaid with more than a passing crush on Topher Grace in Robert Luketic's gentle romantic comedy Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004). Hahn subsequently commenced a long series of assignments for Hollywood's highest-profiled directors and producers, including bit parts in the Judd Apatow-Adam McKay farce Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy The Holiday (2006), and a small supporting role in the Robert Shaye-directed fantasy The Last Mimzy (2007). After her Crossing Jordan role ended with the series' cancellation in 2007, Hahn was able to work more freely in other venues, which became apparent with her output in 2008. She took on another cinematic supporting turn in the Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly comedy Step Brothers and starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the period suburban drama Revolutionary Road. That same year, Hahn made her Broadway debut in the Tony award-winning play Boeing-Boeing. Over the next serveral years, Hahn would remain an active force on screen, appearing in fukns kuje The Dictator and Our Idiot Brother, as well as on shows like Parks and Recreation and Girls. Throughout her various assignments, Hahn drew high praise for her comedic ability, which netted occasional comparisons to Carol Burnett.

Trivia: Studied psychology and political science in college. Worked at a horse ranch in California after college and then as a paralegal before deciding to pursue acting. Studied privately with teachers from New York's Actors Studio. Spent two summers working at Massachusetts' Williamstown Theater Festival. Made her film debut in 1994 in a short called Celestial Navigation. Made her Broadway debut in 1997 in the Tony-winning The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Trivia: Was a high-school senior when he landed his first movie role, the Texas-set teen comedy-drama Drive-In. The Dallas native's second TV role was in a 1978 episode of Dallas (his TV debut came earlier that year in an episode of Police Woman). Appeared with 24 castmate Xander Berkeley in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (as sheriffs) and the 1997 movie Air Force One. Has played five characters in three Star Trek series and one Trek movie. Is a motivational speaker whose "Extra Mile" seminar helps participants develop techniques for achieving their goals. Has appeared in three Transformer movies, even though his character was killed in the first film (2007). Morshower returned as a different character in the 2009 and 2011 installments.

Trivia: The petite and dazzling American actress Leighton Meester began her career somewhat prestigiously and intelligently, with appearances in such popular series as 24, Law & Order, and 7th Heaven, but in time Meester's involvement in a few less-esteemed projects (such as the TV series Tarzan, and the slasher movie Drive-Thru, about a killer fast-food mascot who dresses as a clown) threatened to overshadow this early promise. Fortunately, Meester continued to demonstrate genre versatility and prolificness as she aggressively tackled new roles. In fall 2007, she could be be seen co-starring on the new CW teen drama Gossip Girl. She became one of the breakout stars of that show, leading to appearances in films like Going the Distance, Date Night, The Oranges, Monte Carlo, and The Roommate. In 2012 she landed a role in the Adam Sandler comedy That's My Boy. She had a supporting role in The Judge in 2014, and also made her Broadway debut the same year, in the play Of Mice and Men.

Trivia: Was educated in Spain and Italy; speaks six languages. Started acting with the St. Nicholas Theatre Company in Chicago, and worked with playwright David Mamet. She went on to appear in a number of his feature films. Her Broadway appearances include The Iceman Cometh in 1985. Founded the theater group the Grace Players. Theater projects include A Holiday Potpourri, which was a benefit for the children of severely wounded American troops in Iraq. Taught film students at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Wrote the novel One Woman's War, published in 2012. Volunteers her time organizing care packages and visiting U.S. troops overseas for the non-profit organization Trek to the Troops.

Trivia: A stage-trained actress whose brief foray in daytime drama eventually led her into a feature-film career, Lucinda Jenney's star has been on the rise since the early 1980s. Alternating effortlessly between television and film throughout the course of her career, the talented and attractive blonde actress always had a slant toward the dramatic. A Long Island-native whose impressive run in the Broadway production of Gemini (1977-1981) proved the catalyst for her subsequent onscreen career, Jenney's first feature roles came with the made-for-TV efforts First Steps and Out of the Darkness (both 1985). Roles in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and Rain Man (1988) were quick to follow, and, in 1989, the actress rounded out her impressive first decade as John Belushi's onscreen wife in the biopic Wired. Though the film was widely panned, it proved Jenney's most substantial role thus far and she escaped relatively unscathed. As the 1990s rolled in, she was nominated for a Best Actress Independent Spirit Award for her performance in 1993's American Heart and a recurring role on the television series High Incident found her gaining something of a following on the small screen. With her performance as one of Demi Moore's sole allies in G.I. Jane (1997), Jenney continued to balance bit roles in such efforts as Leaving Las Vegas (1995) and Thinner (1996) with meatier, more dramatically substantial parts. Supporting roles in high-profile Hollywood releases became increasingly common for Jenney, and following key roles in Thirteen Days (2000) and The Mothman Prophecies (2002), she joined the cast of the acclaimed police drama The Shield. The following year, Jenney appeared in the action thriller S.W.A.T.

Trivia: Aspired to play professional football while growing up. Fought in Desert Storm as a soldier in the U.S. Marine Corps. Became involved in Chicago's theater scene after returning from war. Played the role of Wheeler Parker in a stage production of The Ballad of Emmett Till at the Goodman Theatre in 2008. Won the Best Short Film Award at the 10th annual Hollywood Black Film Festival for The (Mis)Leading Man, which he both wrote and starred in. Made his Broadway debut as an understudy for multiple roles in A Streetcar Named Desire at Broadhurst Theatre in 2012. Was the understudy for various roles in a Broadway production of A Time to Kill in 2013. Provided voice-over work for many brands, including Sony, Toyota, Budweiser, Powerade, CoverGirl and McDonald's.