Gary Dourdan

Biography: In the early '90s Debbie Allen spotted Dourdan while he was vacationing in Paris and subsequently gave him his first big break—a recurring role on the Cosby Show spin-off A Different World. He quickly landed a succession of small parts in movies (Playing God, Alien: Resurrection) and big parts in short-lived TV shows before CSI: Crime Scene Investigation turned him into a star and sex symbol. His character on the show, forensic detective Warrick Brown, struggled with relationship woes and a gambling addiction, and was eventually murdered by a cop with ties to the mob. In addition to his acting pursuits, Dourdan is an accomplished singer and musician, excelling in flute and guitar. He has recorded music under the pseudonym Kolade.