Trivia: One of the most prominent female hip-hoppers of the 1990s thanks to her soulful and uplifting rhymes, Queen Latifah has also crafted an increasingly successful screen presence.Born Dana Owens in Newark, NJ, on March 18, 1970, this police officer's daughter worked at Burger King before joining the group Ladies Fresh as a human beatbox. Disgusted at the misogynistic, male-dominated rap scene, Owens adapted the moniker of Queen Latifah (meaning delicate and sensitive in Arabic) and was soon on her way to changing the way many people looked at hip hop. Soon gaining a loyal following due to her unique perspective and role model-inspiring attitude, Latifah recorded the single "Wrath of My Madness" in 1988 and the following year she released her debut album, All Hail the Queen. Making her feature debut three short years later in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever, Latifah began refining a screen persona that would be equally adept in both drama and comedy. After starring as magazine editor Khadijah James on the FOX sitcom Living Single (1993-1998) and landing increasingly prominent film roles in Set It Off (1996), Living Out Loud (1998), and The Bone Collector (1999), she was given her own personal televised outlet in the form of The Queen Latifah Show in 1999. Losing her brother in a motorcycle accident in 1995 (she still wears the motorbike's key around her neck) in addition to grieving a friend who was shot when the two were carjacked the same year, Latifah has persisted in overcoming tragedy to remain positive and creative. The talented songstress has also appeared as both the Wicked Witch of the West (1998's The Wizard of Oz) and Glenda the Good (The O.Z. in 2002), in addition to remaining an innovative and inspiring recording artist. In 2003, Latifah hit a watershed moment in her career and in the public perception of her image: she signed to portray Matron Mama Morton in Rob Marshall's bold cinematization of the Bob Fosse musical Chicago. For Latifah, the turn embodied a breakthrough to end all breakthroughs - it dramatically reshaped the artist's image from that of a hip-hop singer turned actress to that of a multitalented, one-woman powerhouse with astonishing gifts in every arena of performance - voice, drama and dance. Latifah deservedly netted an Oscar nomination for this role, but lost to Catherine Zeta-Jones, who played Velma Kelly in the same film.Later that same year, the multifaceted singer/actress took a dramatic step down in ambition and sophistication, joining Steve Martin for the odd couple comedy Bringing Down the House. That farce tells the occasionally rollicking story of a hyper-anal white lawyer (Martin) who attempts to "hook up" with a barrister he meets online, but discovers that she is (surprise!) actually a slang-tossing black prison escapee with a mad taste for hip hop dancing (Latifah). Ironically - given the seemingly foolproof and ingenious premise - the film collapsed, thanks in no small part to an awkward and craven screenplay that fails to see the logic of its situations through to fruition, and wraps with a ludicrous denouement. The film did score with viewers, despite devastating reviews from critics across the country. (If nothing else, the picture offers the uproarious sight of Martin in hip-hop attire, and does celebrate Latifah's everpresent message of much-deserved respect for black women). Latifah's onscreen activity skyrocketed over the following half-decade, with an average of around 5-7 roles per year. One of her most popular efforts, Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), constitutes a sequel to the urban comedy-drama Barbershop (2002). The original picture (without Latifah in the cast) concerned the proprietors and patrons of a (mostly) all-black barbershop on the south side of Chicago, with seriocomic lead characters portrayed by Ice-T, Cedric the Entertainer and others. In the second Barbershop go-round, Latifah plays Gina, the owner of an inner-city beauty parlor who operates her business next door. Those films reached a combined total of around $143 million worldwide, thanks in no small part to a pitch-perfect demographic that flocked to both efforts without abandon. The pictures also generated a Latifah-dominated sequel, Beauty Shop (2005), devoted to the exploits of Gina, her customers, and her employees, particularly the flamboyantly gay stylist Jorge Christoph (Kevin Bacon). The movie expanded the target audience of its predecessors and upped the ante by working in WASPy female characters played by A-listers Andie MacDowell and Mena Suvari and having Gina move her shop to the more audience-friendly Atlanta. Though the picture failed to match the grosses of its predecessors, it did reel in just under $38 million worldwide. Each of the installments generated mixed reviews from critics, Concurrent with Beauty Shop's release, Latifah signed on to collaborate with director Mark Forster and stars Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson in the comedy-fantasy Stranger than Fiction (2006). In that picture - about a man (Ferrell) who discovers he is the character in a book by a washed-up author (Thompson), and due to be killed shortly, Latifah plays Penny Escher, the "assistant" hired to end Thompson's creative block and put her back on track. Though Latifah's constituted a minor role (and, arguably, a throwaway at that), the film itself scored on all fronts, including craftsmanship, audience reactions, box office and critical response. After voicing Ellie in the CG-animated feature Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Latifah revisited cinematic song-and-dance (and reteamed with House director Adam Shankman) for the hotly-anticipated musical comedy Hairspray, based on the hit Broadway production (which was, in turn, based on the 1988 John Waters film). Latifah plays Motormouth Maybelle, in a cast that also includes Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer and an in-drag John Travolta, reprising the role originated by Divine. Latifah signed to star alongside Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes in the crime comedy Mad Money -- a remake of the British farce Hot Money (with echoes of 1976's How to Beat the High Cost of Living) about a trio of female janitors in the Federal Reserve bank who team up to rob the place blind. In addition to music, movies, and television, Latifah also found time to author a book on self-esteem entitled Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman, and to serve as co-chairman of the Owens Scholarship Foundation, Inc., which provides assistance to academically gifted but financially underpriveleged students.

Trivia: Best known for his individualistic promulgation of jazz-rap during the 1990s -- a decade when gangsta rap threatened to take over much of the urban music scene -- underground rapper Common attained recognition for the sophisticated lyrics and ever-present political subtexts in his raps. Something of a critics' favorite, Common also achieved commercial success with such albums as Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992, his debut), Like Water for Chocolate (2000), Electric Circus (2002), and Be (2005). During the first 15 years or so of his career, the Chicago native's filmed activity remained generally confined to music videos, performance films, and also urban and rap-themed documentaries such as the 2003 Soundz of Spirit, the 2004 Letter to the President, and 2005's jubilant Dave Chappelle's Block Party. By 2007, Common began branching out into dramatic roles. That year, the rapper landed supporting parts in such films as Joe Carnahan's darkly comic action thriller Smokin' Aces and Ridley Scott's period crime drama American Gangster.In 2008 he appeared in Wanted, and the next year he landed a role in the high-profile sequel Terminator Salvation. He played the part of an scary bad guy in the comedy Date Night in 2010, the same year he played the lead opposite Queen Latifah in the romantic comedy Just Wright. He was one of the many members of the ensemble cast in 2011's New Year's Eve, and lent his vocal talents to Happy Feet Two that same year. In 2012 he appeared in the family fantasy film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

Trivia: Even though bright-eyed actress Paula Patton began performing as a little girl, putting plays in her own back yard, the shy young woman didn't realize she wanted a career onscreen for many years to come. In high school, she became involved in a PBS series that took young, aspiring filmmakers on a trip across the country to work on their own documentaries, and when Patton graduated high school, she continued to pursue her interest in working behind the camera by enrolling the film school at the University of Southern California. After graduation, she worked as a production assistant, nurturing her goal of producing her own movie, but something felt missing. Finally, Patton realized that her passion was to be on the other side of the camera, so she enrolled in acting classes and strove toward her new goal in full force.Within a few years, Patton had landed a small role in Will Smith's 2005 comedy Hitch. The next year, she auditioned for a strange and exciting project by music-video director and first time filmmaker Bryan Barber starring Andre 3000 from the hip-hop group OutKast. The movie was called Idlewild, and the super-stylized comedy/crime drama/musical was set in the Prohibition-era American South. Patton's fresh new face was exactly what the unique project needed, and she was cast in the role of Angel Davenport, the female lead. Though the film wasn't geared toward the mainstream, it was a cult success among audiences and critics who appreciated its quirky style. Patton's star continued to rise as later that same year she was cast in another substantial role, this time in a much more high-profile movie. As the damsel Denzel Washington must travel through time to save in the Tony Scott action thriller Déjà Vu, Patton's sweet but solid force onscreen was lauded, even by critics who bashed the movie for being overly serious. For her next project, the actress signed on to star opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the horror movie Mirrors, slated for release in 2007. She appeared in the 2008 political comedy Swing Vote, and the basketball themed romantic comedy Just Wright in 2010. She had her most high-profile success as a member of the team Ethan Hunt puts together in Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol. She next appeared in the comedies Jumping the Broom (2011), Baggage Claim (2013) and About Last Night (2014).Patton was married to R&B singer/songwriter Robin Thicke in 2005. She appears on the cover of his 2003 album A Beautiful World and in a number of his music videos. The couple officially divorced in 2015.

Trivia: A talented Broadway actress who shot to fame with her portrayal of loving mother-of-five and high-powered attorney Claire Huxtable in television's The Cosby Show, Phylicia Rashad's strong television presence has lent itself to numerous dramatic roles in the years since her role as the member of one of the most famous families in television history. Born the daughter of a dentist in Texas in 1948, Rashad's (born Phylicia Allen) continual focus on her potential as an actress has attracted her to roles of integrity and honesty, with generally family friendly fare that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. After making her television debut in the 1978 production of The Wiz, Rashad appeared in such soap operas as One Life to Live and Santa Barbara before settling into an eight-year run as mother to one of television history's most beloved families (during which period she would also star with television daughter Keshia Knight Pulliam in a pair of television movies based on the popular children's character Polly). Married to Village People member Victor Willis in 1975, Rashad would later wed former Minnesota Viking and sports announcer Ahmad Rashad (who extravagantly proposed to her during a televised football game) in 1985. Continuing her television career following the end of The Cosby Show's run, Rashad would also turn up in such made-for-television thrillers as The Possession of Michael D. and The Babysitter's Seduction (both 1995) before once again joining television husband Bill Cosby in 1996's Cosby. A well-known member of numerous charities including the Diabetes Association African-American Program and the Educational Teacher's Association, Rashad has strived to bring social issues to the small screen with roles in such thoughtful productions as Uncle Tom's Cabin (1985) and Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored (1996). Though many female actors lament the glass ceiling that prevents them from obtaining roles in their later years, Rashad's maturity brings a distinctive presence to her roles in such dramatic television productions as Free of Eden (1999) and The Old Settler (2001). Over the next several years, Rashad would prove as consistent a force on screen as ever, appearing in movies like For Colored Girls and Good Deeds, as well as on TV series like Psych and Everybody Hates Chris.

Trivia: Began acting in school and local plays at age 15. Excelled in high school sports and was named a Texal all-state basketball player. Son of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Billy Brooks and editorial writer Alberta Phillips. Big break came with the role of Matthew Applewhite on Desperate Housewives, for which he earned an Image Award nomination. Included in Daily Variety's Ten Young Actors to Watch in 2005. Landed the role of Tara's love interest Eggs on the vampire series True Blood and played a lawyer on the short-lived The Deep End. Modeling gigs include the racy 2010 video and print ads for Calvin Klein X underwear line.

Trivia: The reigning queen of the 1970s blaxploitation genre, Pam Grier was born May 26, 1949, in Winston-Salem, NC. An Air Force mechanic's daughter, she was raised on military bases in England and Germany. During her teen years the family settled in Denver, CO, where at the age of 18, Grier entered the Miss Colorado Universe pageant. Named first runner-up, she attracted the attention of Hollywood agent David Baumgarten, who signed her to a contract. After relocating to Los Angeles, Grier struggled to mount an acting career, and worked as a switchboard operator at the studios of Roger Corman's American International Pictures. Finally, with Corman's aid, she made her film debut in the 1970 Russ Meyer cult classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, followed by an appearance in Jack Hill's 1971 cheapie The Big Doll House. For several years, Grier languished virtually unnoticed in grindhouse fare like 1971's Women in Cages and 1973's Arena (aka Naked Warriors) before winning the title role in Hill's 1973 action outing Coffy. Playing a nurse seeking vengeance against the drug dealers responsible for her sister's descent into heroin addiction, Grier immediately rose to the forefront of the so-called "blaxploitation" genre, a group of action-adventure films aimed squarely at African-American audiences. Portraying the 1974 superheroine Foxy Brown, she became a major cult figure, as her character's fierce independence, no-nonsense attitude, and empowered spirit made her a role model for blacks and feminists alike. At the peak of her popularity, Grier even appeared on the covers of Ms. and New York magazines. Her films' often racy content also made her a sex symbol, and additionally she posed nude for the men's magazine Players. Successive action roles as gumshoe Sheba Shayne in 1975's Sheba, Baby and as the titular reporter Friday Foster further elevated Grier's visibility, but fearing continued typecasting she shifted gears to star opposite Richard Pryor in the fact-based 1977 auto-racing drama Greased Lightning. She did not reappear onscreen for four years, resurfacing to acclaim in 1981 as a murderous prostitute in Fort Apache, the Bronx; however, no other major roles were forthcoming, and she spent much of the decade appearing on television and in straight-to-cable features. A major role in the 1988 Steven Seagal action hit Above the Law marked the beginning of a comeback, and after appearing in 1993's Posse, Grier starred with fellow blaxploitation vets Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, and Fred "the Hammer" Williamson in 1996's Original Gangstas, a throwback to the films of the early '70s. In 1997, the actress' career resurgence was complete with the title role in Jackie Brown, written in her honor by director and longtime fan Quentin Tarantino. Grier's tough, sexy portrayal of a jaded flight attendant earned praise from critics far and wide, as well as the promise of steady work. She could subsequently be seen in a consistently wide range of films, like Jawbreaker (1999), Holy Smoke (1999), The Invited, and Larry Crowne, in addition to a host of successful TV roles on shows like Smallville and The L Word.

Trivia: African-American character actor James Pickens Jr. sustains one of the longest and fullest Hollywood resumés in recent memory, just in terms of sheer volume of work. Soap opera devotees may remember Pickens for one of his earliest achievements -- his portrayal of Zack Edwards on the long-running daytime drama Another World, from 1986 through 1990. Pickens subsequently divided his time between characterizations on such prime-time programs as Roseanne and Murder, She Wrote, and small roles in A-list Hollywood features. At least in the early years, these films were often, though not always, action vehicles with predominantly black casts, such as the Ice-T and Ice Cube action thriller Trespass (1992), the Wesley Snipes and Dennis Hopper cop picture Boiling Point (1993), and the bullet-ridden Hughes Brothers pictures Menace II Society (1993) and Dead Presidents (1995). Back on the small screen, Pickens could be seen on such popular series as The X-Files, The Practice, NYPD Blue, Six Feet Under, and Philly. Also, in spring 1998, he joined episode writer Larry David and co. as the detective who threw Jerry and his cronies in the slammer on the much-anticipated series finale of Seinfeld; David and Pickens re-teamed several years later for two 2005 episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Pickens drew his greatest attention and acclaim, however, when he ascended from bit player to a prominent supporting role as Chief of Surgery Richard Webber on the blockbuster medical drama Grey's Anatomy. This series premiered in 2005 to sensational ratings and quickly became an American institution, thanks in no small part to Pickens's work.

Trivia: Born to a first-generation Cuban immigrant couple and raised in the Washington, D.C., area, Laz Alonso gravitated to acting interests at an early age, but temporarily forsook the arts in favor of a more practical and well-grounded education, studying business at nearby Howard University's marketing program. After graduation, Alonso left the District of Columbia and took off for the Big Apple, where he worked as an investment banker, but footlights and soundstages beckoned, and with the encouragement of friends, Alonso began auditioning for acting assignments and soon landed appearances in a string of commercials, then guest roles on series programs including CSI, The Practice, and Navy: NCIS, before gracing the casts of theatrically released features. Meanwhile, the young performer -- who had studied classical piano formally for nearly a decade -- parlayed his melodic interests into reggaeton performances and also involved himself in a big way with altruism, launching a nonprofit group for children of single-parent households.Alonso's big-screen projects included the 2003 urban horror comedy Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood; the 2005 Constantine (with a role as a security guard in a morgue), and the 2005 Jarhead (as a soldier stationed in the Gulf War). He worked for Roland Joffé (The Killing Fields) as a detective hot on the trail of a serial killer, in that filmmaker's critically despised torture porn outing Captivity (2007), then essayed a small supporting turn in the same year's Dirty Sexy Money on ABC. Also in 2007, Alonso played a frat boy at an African American college in Atlanta in director Sylvain White's teen comedy-cum-dance film Stomp the Yard. At about the same time, the young actor worked under the aegis of Spike Lee in that helmer's World War II-era period drama Miracle at St. Anna (2008), and signed to act in director James Cameron's hotly anticipated, mega-budgeted science fiction epic Avatar (2009).

Trivia: Born in the Bronx, NY, in 1972, actor Michael Landes began his acting career on the opposite coast, with a recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After getting his feet wet with more television work, Landes landed an even bigger break when he was cast as Jimmy Olsen on the series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in 1993. After the first season, however, producers decided that the young actor's chiseled good looks were a little too manly for the boyish role, and Landes was cut loose. He continued to work in films like Hart's War and on series like The Drew Carey Show, and in 1998, he both produced and starred in the film Getting Personal. In 2000, he married actress Wendy Benson, and he continued to build up his resumé, even snagging a staring role in the British series Love Soup. Then, in 2008, he was cast in the independent film Possession, boosting his profile and gearing him up for his next role in the thriller Homecoming, in which he starred alongside Mischa Barton.

Trivia: Won the 2004 Naismith Award as the nation's top high-school basketball player. Was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic. Appeared on ABC's Extreme Makeover, helping to build a house in Florida, in 2006. Started at center for the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Won the Slam Dunk contest at the 2008 NBA All Star Game. In 2009, became the youngest player to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Won again for the 2009 to 2010 season. Known for his charity work in central Florida and Atlanta, he established the Dwight D. Howard Foundation, offering scholarships and other help for disadvantaged youths. In 2009, he was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, which honor athletes for charitable work. Was among top vote-getters in balloting for the 2011 NBA All-Star team, of which he had already been a member four times.

Trivia: Recorded a "triple-double" (29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) in Marquette's 2003 NCAA Tournament upset of Kentucky, sending the school to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years. Was the fourth first-round NBA draft pick (No. 3 overall) from Marquette. Ranked atop the U.S. list for NBA jersey sales for the 2005-06 season. Won Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award in 2006. Named to Esquire's Best Dressed Men in the World lists for 2006 and 2007. Wears uniform No. 3 to represent the Holy Trinity. Hosts an annual Christmas party for kids in the Miami area and a three-day children's camp in his hometown of Robbins, IL.

Trivia: Began a lengthy career at Madison Square Garden as a New York Knicks ball boy, then as an assistant for basketball radio play-by-play man Marty Glickman. Marv was the voice of the Knicks from 1967 to 2004 and the voice of hockey's New York Rangers from 1965 to '95. Appeared regularly on Late Night with David Letterman and on Letterman's Late Show, narrating sports blooper reels and commenting on other sports at large. Called NBA and NFL games on NBC and the NBA for TNT and YES Network, along with Monday Night Football radio play-by-play. In addition to the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Playoffs, Albert's big-game experience includes work on the Super Bowl, World Series, Wimbledon and Breeders' Cup. Pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges in 1997 brought forth by a Virginia woman with whom he had a 10-year relationship. Albert was given a 12-month suspended sentence and was fired by NBC, only to be brought back for the 2000-01 NBA season. Inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006; has also been named New York State Sportscaster of the Year 20 times. Coined signature phrases in basketball (Yesssss!) and hockey (Kick save, and a beauty!), while always injecting dry humor into a broadcast. Nicknamed long-time NBA partner Mike Fratello "the Czar of the Telestrator." In 2011, joined CBS to do play-by-play coverage for NFL games.

Trivia: Nicknamed "The Jet." Graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, the same school that spawned NBA players Kevin Joyce (1969); Brian Winters (1970); and Kenny Anderson, Smith's cousin (1989); as well as actor David Caruso (1974); former NYC police commissioner Raymond Kelly (1959); and former HUD secretary Andrew Cuomo (1975). Four-year starter---one of the few players in the Dean Smith era to start his first game as a University of North Carolina freshman. Named the National Player of the Year, as well as All-America, in 1987. Drafted sixth overall by the Sacramento Kings in 1987. Upon graduation, held UNC record for assists (768), steals (195) and assists in the NCAA Tournament (86) in a career. Elected to the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Houston in 1991. Played for the Houston Rockets for their 1994 and 1995 titles. Played for the Rockets through the 1995-6 season, season before Charles Barkley joined the team; they share a desk on TNT. On Sept. 11, 2005, hosted the NBA Players Hurricane Relief Game to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

Trivia: Best known for his longtime tenure as a sports anchor on the ESPN cable network (particularly on its SportsCenter series), Stuart Scott drew both fans and detractors for his vociferous, street-smart, urban mentality that made heavy use of slang and demonstrated no attempt to present varnished opinions in commenting on various sporting events. He made a number of guest appearances -- usually in cameos as himself -- in A-list feature films. These included the Bernie Mac-headlined sports comedy Mr. 3000 (2004), the Lindsay Lohan-starring Disney sequel Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005), and the Rock-headlined sports comedy The Game Plan (2007). Stuart died in 2015, at age 49.

Trivia: Captained his high-school basketball, football, baseball and field hockey teams before attending college on a football scholarship. Began his basketball coaching career as an assistant at his high school before moving on to Rhode Island, James Madison and Villanova. Succeeded Hubie Brown on two of his three NBA head-coaching jobs, first in Atlanta in 1981 (for three games) and again in Memphis in 2005 (after four games under Lionel Hollins). Named NBA Coach of the Year for 1985 to 1986 after leading the Hawks to 50 wins and a playoff berth. Won several other coach-of-the-year awards the next season, when the Hawks won 57 games and took the Central Division title. Led the Hawks, Cavaliers and Grizzlies to 11 playoff berths in his 15 full seasons as head coach. Fratello's teams lost in the first round in the last seven of those 11 appearances, however. Dubbed "Czar of the Telestrator" by NBC play-by-play man Marv Albert for his wizardry in diagramming plays on-screen with NBC in the early 1990s. Worked as a TNT analyst in three different stints, including 1994 to 1996, 1999 to 2004, and again, starting in 2007. Fratello was reunited with Albert in 2008 on TNT as well as on the YES Network for New Jersey Nets games. Joked to the New York Post that if Albert doesn't get his coffee "that throws him off for the whole day" and that "I'm the guy that carries his newspaper bag for him."

Trivia: Holds a bachelor's degree in psychology. Gained worldwide fame after playing the handsome Prince Charming in Disney's TV movie Cinderella (1997). Made it to People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People of 1998. Magic Adobo (2001) is his first ever Indi feature. Is well-known for his Broadway performances.