CCH Pounder

Biography: Although she did not land her first major movie role until her mid-thirties, this talented actress has had a prolific career that includes Emmy-nominated turns as an FBI agent (The X Files), a surgeon (ER) and a no-nonsense police detective (The Shield). Though often recognized for her high-profile TV work, Pounder has also appeared in numerous film roles, including a part in the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. Off screen, Pounder is involved in a variety of projects and causes: she creates one-of-a-kind jewelry, promotes the creative arts, and is active in the nonprofit organization Artists for a New South Africa, which works to combat the HIV epidemic.