Trivia: Though he can be spotted in a variety of made-for-TV movies, sitcoms, and prime-time dramas (Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, The X-Files, and The Sopranos are among his many television credits), New York native Tobin Bell is known best for his role as Jigsaw, a serial killer with a penchant for torturing his victims -- physically and psychologically -- in the gruesome Saw film series. The performance was good enough to secure a nomination for "Best Villain" two years in a row at the MTV Movie Awards, and won Bell the coveted "Best Butcher" award at the Fuse/Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. In addition to his roles as fictional villains, the actor played the real-life bad guy, Unabomber John Kaczynski, in the made-for-TV movie Unabomber: The True Story (1996).

Trivia: Donnie Wahlberg is one of the few performers who has been able to go from early stardom as a teen idol to a respected career as a dramatic character actor. Born Donald Edmund Wahlberg in Dorchester, MA, on August 17, 1969, Donnie came from a large family (he has five brothers and three sisters), and first became interested in performing as a way of getting attention in a busy household. Wahlberg developed an interest in music early on, and was only ten years old when he joined his first band, a local group called Risk. Wahlberg became a passionate hip-hop fan, learning how to breakdance and write his own raps; a few years later, Wahlberg joined an R&B-styled group called the Kool Aid Bunch, which also featured singer Danny Wood. In 1986, producer and entrepreneur Maurice Starr, who had guided the R&B harmony group New Edition to platinum success, decided to form a similar act with young white singers, and Wahlberg and Wood were both tapped to become members of what would become New Kids on the Block. While their first album made little impact in the marketplace, New Kids on the Block's second LP, 1988's Hanging Tough, made them into one of the biggest pop music phenomena of the 1980s and '90s. Wahlberg's persona in the group was that of the "bad boy," and true to form he had a few minor brushes with the law, including a widely reported incident at a Kentucky hotel in which he was charged with using alcohol to start a fire. But Wahlberg also established himself as one of the musical forces behind New Kids on the Block, helping to write and produce material for the group, and going on to produce recordings for other artists, most notably Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, featuring his brother Mark Wahlberg. In 1994, New Kids on the Block broke up, and while Wahlberg continued to work in music as a songwriter and producer, he soon set his sights on a career in acting. In 1995, Wahlberg snagged a small role in an action film called Bullet opposite Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur, and a year later he won a much showier role as a kidnapper with a conscience in the Mel Gibson vehicle Ransom. In 1998, Wahlberg did double duty as leading man and executive producer for the independent drama Southie, and in 1999 he surprised critics with his turn as Vincent Gray in the runaway hit The Sixth Sense. Wahlberg has also enjoyed a successful career on television; he played 2nd Lt. Lipton on the acclaimed HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, starred in the action series Boomtown, and played a recurring role on the well-reviewed but short-lived police drama Big Apple. In 2005, Wahlberg joined the Saw movie franchise, appearing as Detective Eric Matthews in Saw II and later reprising his role in Saw III (2006) and Saw IV (2007). Continuing his trend of playing police officers, Wahlberg joined the CBS drama Blue Bloods in 2010 as Detective Danny Reagan. In addition to his careers in acting and music, Wahlberg also co-owns a restaurant in the Boston area with several of his brothers called Wahlburgers which was featured on an A&E reality series of the same name.

Trivia: Made his feature-film debut in the religious thriller Tribulation (2000). Was nominated for a 2002 Young Artist Award for his work on the CBS drama The Guardian. Landed his first series-regular role on the CBS cult favorite Jericho.

Trivia: Dreadlocked character actor Glenn Plummer began his acting career on television during the late '80s. He appeared in the TV movies The Women of Brewster Place, Heat Wave, and Deadlock. On the big screen, he played thug High Top in Dennis Hopper's crime drama Colors and rookie pitcher Tyrone in the baseball movie Pastime. In 1992, he landed his first starring role as an ex-convict father who wants the best for his son in Steve Anderson's compelling drama South Central. After supporting roles in Trespass, Menace II Society, and Speed, he made a brief return to television to play staff member Timmy Rawlins during the first season of ER. Back on the big screen, he played a choreographer in Showgirls, a musician/activist in Strange Days, and drama teacher in The Substitute More feature films followed, he landed a spot on the HBO miniseries The Corner, and he tried producing with Love Beat the Hell Outta Me. In addition to several straight-to-video action thrillers, Plummer appeared in the feature film The Salton Sea. He also had starring roles in the independent drama 100 Kilos and the motorcycle movie Road Kings.

Trivia: Modeled from age 9 to 16. Minored in French in college. Trained with Ron Stetson for three years at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York. Landed her first major role as Lucinda Nicholson on the show Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1993. Did many of her own stunts for her physically demanding roles in Starship Troopers, Johnny Mnemonic and Dragonheart.

Trivia: After graduating with high honors from New York's Seneca College with a degree in computer graphics under his arm, Lyriq Bent accepted a friend's challenge to try acting and discovered his great passion in life. In a remarkably short time, Bent secured Hollywood representation and began receiving offers to appear in theatrical features. This African-American supporting actor was particularly memorable as Rigg in the second, third, and fourth installments of the Saw series of slasher movies, and convincingly played a barber in director Bille Woodruff's 2003 dance saga Honey, opposite Jessica Alba and Mekhi Phifer. In 2007, Bent continued his predilection for the horror genre with his portrayal of Doak Soloman in the James Isaac-directed werewolf saga Skinwalkers. Bent's resumé also includes guest appearances on the television series Kevin Hill and Blue Murder; recurring roles on Playmakers and Street Time; and a regular role as Leo Jetson on the crime series Angela's Eyes.

Trivia: Thesp Shawnee Smith's name might not be a household word, but her face will register with thousands of sci-fi and horror aficionados thanks to her supporting turns in the big-screen remakes of The Blob (1988) and Carnival of Souls (1998). Smith's recurring role as Amanda, a young woman tormented by the clown-like serial killer Jigsaw, in the popular Saw series, broadened her exposure, even as it threatened to further typecast her as a woman in peril and fix her reputation as a horror queen. Yet the actress's resume demonstrates far greater versatility than this, and it may surprise fans to discover that she claims several decades of credits in multiple genres.Born on July 3, 1970, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Smith debuted on the big screen at 11, as a dancer, in mogul Ray Stark's multimillion-dollar production of Annie (1982). A bit part in Michael Tuchner's acclaimed telemovie Not My Kid (1985) followed, at the age of fourteen; the picture drew solid Nielsen ratings and favorable critical responses, but Smith's only amounted to a bit part. She maintained greater visibility in the late eighties, with two significant roles: Rhonda Altobello in Carl Reiner's 1987 Mark Harmon-starrer Summer School. While most critics dismissed the film, it charmed a handful of others (such as Kevin Thomas and Rita Kempley) and did outstanding box office for a programmer, grossing several times its original budget. The very same could be said of Chuck Russell's 1988 remake The Blob, and then some: in addition to delighting nostalgia-hungry moviegoers (and some critics), it purportedly acquired a loyal following, becoming - in time - something of a cult film. Over the nineties and into the 2000s, Smith evinced a predilection for slightly deeper and more intelligent fare, but kept a somewhat low onscreen profile for several years, usually (though not always) with bit parts in lower budget indie dramas. Smith also appears in director Paul Quinn's Never Get Outta the Boat, which dramatizes the lives of several recovering addicts. She landed a regular role as Linda, a not-so-bright nurse's aide, on the 1998 CBS sitcom Becker, starring Ted Danson, and stuck with the series until it wrapped in 2004.When Smith's horror film quotient skyrocketed in the early 2000s (with the Saw role) it temporarily eclipsed her involvement in more substantial fare, even as her screen activity per se crescendoed. In the vein of earlier slasher film franchises, the initial Saw entry and its sequels did exemplary box office and obtained a rabid following; surprisingly, the pictures drew a favorable response in some critical quarters, as well.

Trivia: As a U.S. television mainstay for many years, the gifted and charismatic American actress Beverley Mitchell gained an enduring fan base with her portrayal of adolescent-turned-young woman Lucy Camden on the WB network's blockbuster series 7th Heaven. It may surprise Mitchell's fans, however, to discover that her gifts and accomplishments extend into broad and diverse reaches of the entertainment industry, particularly that of musical performance -- with dazzling talent and promise in each arena.Born on January 22, 1981, in Arcadia, CA, Mitchell launched her career in front of the cameras at age four, as an Oscar Mayer spokesgirl. Bit parts on the syndicated sitcom Big Brother Jake (as Cassie) and the (very) short-lived, sports-oriented situation comedy Phenom (starring Judith Light and Angela Goethals) followed, as did stints in such forgettable telemovies as Children of the Bride (1990), Baby of the Bride (1991), and Killing Obsession (1994). Yet Mitchell, as indicated, didn't break through to full-fledged celebrity until 7th Heaven. This weekly, family-friendly drama about a genial minister, his wife, and their seven children premiered in 1996 to sensational ratings, and in time set a record (near the end of its 11th season, in 2007) for the longest run of any family series drama in U.S. history (far exceeding Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons). Mitchell portrayed Lucy Camden, the middle (and third oldest) of the children -- notorious for her innumerable suitors and constant emotional tumult. Devotees of the program were quick to note the ironic fact that Mitchell plays the younger sister of Mary Camden (Jessica Biel), yet is reportedly over a year older than Biel in real life. Unlike series co-star Biel, Mitchell remained with the program throughout its run, and through many character changes that found Lucy marrying Kevin Kinkirk, working as an associate pastor, giving birth, and surviving both a miscarriage to twins and clinical depression.Although Mitchell branched out from television into cinematic work as early as 1996, with a turn in the fantasy-action thriller The Crow: City of Angels, and continued intermittent film appearances (such as a supporting role in 2005's slasher movie Saw II), she made no secret of her real passion: performing country music as a guitarist and vocalist. As the 11th season of 7th Heaven wrapped, in early 2007, Mitchell delivered her first live set in Nashville before an enthusiastic audience. She issued her premier (self-titled) album, on the Daywind label, in January of that year; it featured songs penned by Greg Becker, Jim Weatherley, D. Scott Miller, and others. She later returned to television, playing the recurring role of a guidance counselor on ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which was created by 7th Heaven's Brenda Hampton.

Trivia: Began acting in grade school, after she was cast as an understudy in a play and had to fill in when the lead actor became ill. Modeled in Japan for three years. Made her acting debut in the 1995 made-for-TV movie drama A Family Divided. Took up horseback riding in 2010; entered a Burbank, CA, horse show where she placed third in the competition. Involved with animal protection organizations including JIMI'S ANGELS and Best Friends Animal Society; created Fluffball, an animal fundraiser event, to provide monetary support for the groups.

Trivia: With a varied background that includes time spent as a semi-professional football player and a competitive bodybuilder -- not to mention a strip club bouncer -- Brooklyn-born tough-guy actor Franky G. may not seem anything more than a muscle-bound meathead upon first inspection, but a closer look into his filmography reveals a notable onscreen talent who just may have the potential to become more than just the next Vin Diesel. From his screen debut as a troubled ex-con struggling to setting a new course for is life in Manitou to his turn as a rookie cop in the fact-based 2003 drama Wonderland, G. seems to have the kind of drive and range that could easily propel him beyond that of the stereotypical action icon. In addition to maintaining a normal existence and not letting success go to his head, G (the actor was born Frankie Gonzalez) is also determined not to let his ethnicity dictate his film roles. By eschewing typical Diesel-reject scripts for challenging roles that push him to expand his repertoire, the former college football player hopes to keep his career fresh and give audiences what they might least expect from an actor with such a physical background. In 2005, G made an impression on television viewers with a role as an ex-con whose attempts to go straight are complicated by local police who insist that he infiltrate his former partners in crime in the Fox drama Jonny Calvo.