The Legendary Actor Al Pacino Biography

NAME: Al Pacino

OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Theater Actor, Director

BIRTH DATE: April 25, 1940 (Age: 71)

PLACE OF BIRTH: New York, New York

ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Alfredo James "Al"Pacino was born in East Harlem, New York City on April 25, 1940, to Italian American parents Rose and Salvatore Alfred Pacino, who divorced when he was only two years old. After that his mother moved to the South Bronx near the Bronx Zoo, to live with her parents, Kate and James Gerardi, who originated from Corleone, Sicily. His father moved to Covina, California, and got hired as an insurance salesman and restaurateur.

Pacino found himself often repeating the plots and voices of characters he had seen in the movies, one of his favorite activities. Bored and unmotivated in school, the young Al Pacino found a haven in school plays, and his interest soon blossomed into a full-time career. Starting on the stage, he went through a lengthy period of depression and poverty, sometimes having to borrow bus fare to make it to auditions. He made it into the prestigious Actors Studio in 1966, studying under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg, creator of the Method Approach that would become the trademark of many '70s-era actors. After appearing in a string of plays in supporting roles, he finally hit it big with "The Indian Wants the Bronx", winning an Obie award for the 1966-67 season. That was followed by a Tony Award for "Does the Tiger Wear a Necktie?". His first feature films made little departure from the gritty realistic stage performances that earned him respect: he played a junkie in The Panic in Needle Park (1971) after his film debut in Me, Natalie (1969). What came next would change his life forever. The role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) was one of the most sought-after of the time: Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Ryan O'Neal, Robert De Niro and a host of others either wanted it or were mentioned for it, but director Francis Ford Coppola had his heart set on the unknown Italian Pacino for the role, although pretty much everyone else--from the studio to the producers to some of the cast members--didn't want him. Though Coppola won out through slick persuasion, Pacino was in constant fear of being fired during the hellish shoot. Much to his (and Coppola's) relief, the film was a monster hit that did wonders for everyone's career, including Pacino's, and earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Instead of taking on easier projects for the big money he could now command, however, Pacino threw his support behind what he considered tough but important films, such as the true-life crime drama Serpico (1973) and the tragic real-life bank robbery film Dog Day Afternoon (1975). He opened eyes around the film world for his brave choice of roles, and he was nominated three consecutive years for the "Best Actor" Academy Award. He faltered slightly with Bobby Deerfield (1977), but regained his stride with ...And Justice for All. (1979), for which he received another Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. This would, unfortunately, signal the beginning of a decline in his career, which produced such critical and commercial flops as Cruising (1980) and Author! Author! (1982). He took on another vicious gangster role and cemented his legendary status in the ultra-violent cult hit Scarface (1983),

If the 1980s had been inimical to Pacino's talents, the 1990s turned out to be his most prolific. He delivered an atypical, introspective turn as a low-level gangster in Mike Newell's "Donnie Brasc " (1997), a tremendous story of two men who grow to admire one another. As far removed from Michael Corleone as one can get in the mob food chain, Pacino's world-weary Lefty was tragic and pathetic, but also intensely human and real, inspiring the audience's understanding and sympathy. The always fine Johnny Depp, in the title role, raised his acting level a notch in keeping with the high standards set by his co-star. Pacino returned to his old scenery-chewing tricks as a lawyer who happens to be Satan in "The Devil's Advocate" (also 1997), proving yet again that it can be great fun watching a master pulling out the stops. Pacino toned it down for his next performance - one that depicted him at his intense best - playing rabble-rousing "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman in Michael Mann's "The Insider" (1999), an ambitious and intriguing drama that examined the state of journalism in the age of corporate malfeasance. Pacino closed out the decade in Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday" (1999), playing a world-weary professional football coach battling younger players more enamored by money and fame than in playing the game.

Pacino's next major role was as the sleep-deprived Detective Will Dormer in the crime thriller feature "Insomnia" (2002), writer-director Christopher Nolan's English-language remake of Erik Skojdbjaerg's 1997 Norwegian film, costarring Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. While the film received mixed reviews, the actors were roundly praised for their performances. Less appreciated was the Hollywood send-up "Simone" (2002), with Pacino playing a washed-up director who revitalizes his career by secretly creating a digital actress that perfectly executes his every command and becomes a major star. Not only was the movie's fable-style tale wafer-thin, Pacino appeared out at sea with the material, giving one of his least memorable performances. Next up was "The Recruit" (2003) which saw him play a manipulative CIA instructor who recruits a young agent (Colin Farrell) to root out a mole inside The Company. Pacino followed with a supporting role in the dismal Ben Affleck-Jennifer Lopez comedy dud, "Gigli" (2003), reuniting with "Scent of a Woman" director Brest to play a federal prosecutor whose mentally disabled younger brother gets kidnapped.

Pacino rebounded with a stellar turn as Roy Cohn in HBO's acclaimed adaptation of "Angels In America" (2003), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made-for-Television and an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. In 2004, Pacino was able to bring one of his favorite Shakespeare plays to the big screen with director Michael Radford, playing the comically bitter Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice." Although the anti-Semitic overtones of the play made it difficult to perform in modern times, Pacino effectively portrayed the moneylender's claim for his pound of flesh, as driven by a realistic anger over the loss of his daughter to a Christian man. Pacino returned to his scenery-chewing ways in "Two For the Money" (2005), playing Walter Abraham, a sports wagering consultant who takes a former college basketball star (Matthew McConaughey) under his wing after learning that he has a knack for predicting games. After sitting out for much of 2006, sans a rare extensive interview on the long-running series "Inside the Actors Studio" (Bravo, 1995- ), Pacino joined the ensemble cast for "Ocean's 13" (2007), playing a ruthless Las Vegas casino owner whose double-crossing of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and company leads to his downfall.

Pacino kept a relatively low profile over the next couple of years, choosing to star in lower-budget movies that offered the actor more interesting opportunities. He first starred in "88 Minutes" (2008), a much-maligned thriller in which he played Dr. Jack Gramm, a forensic psychiatrist whose testimony against a convicted serial killer comes under question when new victims pop up on the eve of the convict's execution. With just 88 minutes to live, Gramm hurries to find a copycat killer among a series of suspects. Almost universally panned by critics, the movie also flopped heavily at the box office. He next reteamed with Robert De Niro in "Righteous Kill" (2008), with both playing aging cops trying to hunt down a vigilante serial killer. Once again, Pacino suffered another critical and box office bomb. But the actor recovered nicely from the two debacles with "You Don't Know Jack" (HBO, 2010), a well-received biopic in which he played the notorious Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a pathologist and right-to-die activist who was imprisoned for assisting upwards of 130 terminal patients to die with dignity. For his efforts, Pacino swept the Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards, winning all three trophies for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.

Awards:

1967/68: Obie: Best Actor, The Indian Wants the Bronx

1969: Tony: Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?

1969: Drama Desk: Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?

1969: Theater World: Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?

1972: National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actor, The Godfather

1972: National Society of Film Critics: Best Actor, The Godfather

1973: National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actor, Serpico

1973: Golden Globe: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (drama), Serpico

1974: BAFTA: Best Actor, The Godfather, Part II

1975: Los Angeles Film Critics: Best Actor, Dog Day Afternoon

1975: BAFTA: Best Actor, Dog Day Afternoon

1977: Tony: Best Actor in a Play, The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel

1992: Golden Globe: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (drama), Scent of a Woman

1992: Oscar: Best Actor, Scent of a Woman

1996: Independent Feature Project: Gotham Award, Lifetime Achievement

1996: Directors Guild of America: Documentary Direction, Looking for Richard

1997: Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Actor, Donnie Brasco

2001: Cecil B. De Mille Lifetime Achievement Award (Presented at Golden Globe Awards 2001)

Akon Biography

Birth Name : Aliaune Damala Dakha Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam

Birth Date : April 30, 1973

Birth Place :St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Claim to fame :Debut album "Trouble" (2004)

Famous as : R&B singer

Aliaune Damala Dakha Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, often going by the shorter Aliaune Thiam, is best known by his fans simply as Akon. Born on April 30, 1973 to legendary percussionist and jazz musician Mor Thiam whose expertise for playing the Djembe, a traditional African drum, has been touted as "unrivaled," he was grateful for his family musical background that later on did helpful in paving the way for him to embark on a musical career and gain success in the industry, making him one of the icons in the 21st century.

"TROUBLE evolved from the struggles I went through and what I did and am still doing to correct those things," offers AKON, who has had his fair share of adolescent problems with both the legal and school system, as is reflected in his redemption song "Trouble Nobody." "I've got a habit of writing about everything I go through," he explains, "and this album gives a glimpse of where I am now."

To understand where AKON is right now is just half the equation. The other half lies in where he came from: this young artist possesses a unique history. A Senegalese African, AKON moved to the United States when he was seven. His family is headed by legendary percussionist and jazz musician Mor Thiam, whose expertise for playing the Djembe, a traditional African drum, has been touted as "unrivaled." Being brought up in an environment that treasures the true artistic value of musicianship and revels in the mastering of instrumental skill has had a momentous affect on AKON.

It was AKON's deep rooted love and passion for music, evolving from filial admiration, which allowed him to turn his life around, despite his trouble as a youth residing in New Jersey. AKON began playing several different percussion instruments and eventually embraced hip-hop music and culture, despite his initial disdain for the genre. "When I first heard hip-hop I thought it was rubbish because I didn't understand the concept of people talking over music," AKON recalls, "But as I started growing up, living a little and listening to the lyrics, I realized that I was going through a lot of stuff these rappers were talking about and I could relate."

Akon is the son of Mor Thiam, a well-known Sengalese percussionist, so Akon was raised in a musically inclined household and was taught how to play different instruments. At age 15, he created his first song entitled "Operations of Nature". AKon was said to have spent time in jail for several years, but that was also the time when he realized that he had the talent in music and began to take interest in it. When he got out of prison, he started composing and recording his songs in the home studio he had built, and those tapes were discovered by SRC/Universal, the label responsible for launching Akon's very first LP in 2004: "Trouble". The LP consisted of singles like "Locked Up", "Ghetto", etc. "Locked Up" was included in the US Top Ten chart as well as held the 5th spot in the UK chart.

In 2006, Akon started his new record label Kon Live Distribution under Interscope Records. The first artist to sign was Chilli from TLC. Her debut solo album Point of View will be released under Kon Live. Earl Ray has also been signed to the label.

Akon is set to embark on a world tour in 2007. Starting in Africa, he'll swing through Europe and then segue to the United States. There is no word yet on supporting acts, but Akon told Billboard.com, "We'll probably get the hottest act in whatever region we're in." When asked about strong rumors that he'll be collaborating with Michael Jackson, Akon just laughed, saying only, "Right now that's in the air. I can't talk about it." He offers up the same laugh and vague response when queried about working on Elton John's next album. Akon was also effusive about another upcoming collaboration: Whitney Houston. "I'm working on more uptempo records for her," he says. "She's been through a lot and has a dark history. So we've got to make the album brighter because she's come out of the cave now. She wants a celebration. She needs to come back to the old Whitney we remember."

Akon is rumored to make an appearance on Papoose's major label debut album, The Nacirema Dream. Currently the track, "Go to War (Ghetto Soldier)" on which Akon is featured, is tentative. The Nacirema Dream is slated to be released March 2007.

Aimee Teegarden Biography

Birth Name: Aimee Richelle Teegarden

Birth Place: Downey, CA

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 10/10/1989, Libra

Height: 5' 7" (1.70 m)

Profession: Actress

Born in 1989, Aimee Teegarden got started in acting as a teenager, appearing on episodes of Disney Channel shows like Hannah Montana and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. In 2006, she was cast in the TV series Friday Night Lights, a show based on the film of the same name, following the exploits of the people in a small town.

Teegarden has modeled for campaigns including Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, Alltel, Hollister, and YMI jeans. She has made several television appearances including Cold Case, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and Disney Channel's Hannah Montana.

In 2006, Teegarden joined the cast of the TV series Friday Night Lights playing Julie Taylor, the coach's daughter.

On August 24, 2007, during the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant, Teegarden posed the question ("Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?") that led to an infamous reply by contestant Caitlin Upton.

In 2008, she starred in a music video for the Hinder song "Without You" alongside Kellan Lutz. In 2009, Teegarden guest starred in three episodes of the CW’s 90210 as Rhonda, a West Beverly student who crosses paths with Ethan Ward. Teegarden appeared as a guest star on Legend of the Seeker, portraying a teenage girl who just found out she was a confessor. She also appeared in an episode of CSI: Miami and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

In 2010, it was reported she had been cast to star as Amanda Miles in the Warner Premiere and Dolphin Entertainment action webseries Aim High alongside Jackson Rathbone. The show premiered on October 18, 2011 on Facebook being the first "social series" ever created.

In 2011, Teegarden had a small supporting role in the film Scream 4. Also in 2011, Teegarden played the role of Nova Prescott, an overachieving high school student in the Disney film Prom. Her character is a senior in high school, bound for Georgetown University after graduation, trying to put together a high school prom while also dealing with love, heartbreak, and pressure from her parents. She falls in love with the school bad boy Jesse Richter, played by Thomas McDonell in the film.

In May 2011, she was named "TV Actress of the Year" by Young Hollywood Awards for her work on Friday Night Lights.

Agyness Deyn Biography

Name: Agyness Deyn

Birth Name: Laura Hollins

Born: 16/02/1983 (Age: 28)

Height : 5' 9" (1.75 m)

Birth Place: Littleborough, Greater Manchester, England

Agyness Deyn is a model and singer born on February 16, 1983 in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, England. Agyness Deyn is the second of three children of Lorraine, a nurse. Agyness Deyn studied at the All Saints RC High School and later at the Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School and Sixth Form in Waterfoot, Rossendale. She has kept her hair short since the age of 13.

At the age of 14, she worked in a restaurant in Lancashire. After being spotted by designer Henry Holland, Agyness began modelling for his label, House of Holland. Around two years later, she was crowned as the Face of '99 by Rossendale Free Press.

With her peroxide-crop haircut, sparkling blue eyes and cute, delicate features, Agyness Deyn's pixieish beauty would definitely brighten up any venue. While many of the ads she appears in tend to underplay her sexuality, and her thin frame may be lacking the curves most men dream about, Agyness Deyn's stunningly gorgeous face and long slender legs make her extremely desirable. She also comes across as someone who's naturally charming, unpretentious and fun to be with, which might be due to her North England origins and tomboy past. With all of these attributes coming into play, it's no wonder she beat out dozens of other beauties to be crowned Model of the Year.

Agyness Deyn began working part-time at The Village Chippy, a fish 'n' chips restaurant in Stubbins, Lancashire, when she was 14. It was there that she was discovered by designer Henry Holland, who was known for his rhyming slogan T-shirts. Agyness Deyn soon became the face of the House of Holland label, and eventually started thinking about making a career out of modeling. In 1999, while attending All-Saints, the 16-year-old entered and won the Rossendale Free Press Face of '99 modeling competition.

She moved to London in search of better modelling gigs. Soon enough, she was signed by a modelling agency, and she came in the limelight when she appeared on the cover of Italy's Vogue in November 2006. She reappeared on the magazine's cover in September 2007. In these two photo shoots, Agyness was photographed by Steven Meisel.

In 2007, Agyness Deyn posed on the cover of Vogue USA together with models Doutzen Kroes, Raquel Zimmermann, Sasha Pavovarova, Coco Rocha, Hilary Rhoda, Caroline Trentini, Jessica Stam, Lily Donaldson and Chanel Iman.

Agyness Deyn has endorsed several popular brands including Anna Sui, Blugirl by Blumarine, Gianfranco Ferre, Cacharel, Burberry, Maison Gilfy, Moussy, Giorgio Armani, Shiseido, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Reebok.

In 2008, Agyness Deyn served as a guest editor for the fashion magazine i-D. She is also trying her luck in acting by taking small roles in British indie movies. Agyness Deyn is also a singer, and was once a member of the group Lucky Knitwear.

Agnes Carlsson Biography

Birth name : Agnes Emilia Carlsson

Also known as : Agnes (stage name)

Born : March 6, 1988 (age 23)

Origin : Vänersborg, Sweden

Occupations : Singer

Agnes Carlsson was born on 6 March 1988 in Vänersborg (Sweden). It is better known under the name of Agnes. She takes her first song when she was aged eight years and shows a quick gift. Agnes Carlsson is a famous young singer who made a great career in this domain. Since she was a little girl she wanted to become a singer and when she grew up she had the chance to participle at the famous TV show named "Idol".

In the spring of 2005, a 17-year-old Agnes auditioned for the second season of popular Swedish singing competition Idol in Gothenburg, singing "Varje Gång Jag Ser Dig" by Lisa Nilsson. The four judges were all hugely impressed by the strong power of her voice and she successfully passed through to the theatre rounds of the contest. Her vocals continued to impress the judges, and she made it to the semi-finals. To the dismay of the judges however, Agnes did not get a place in the final eleven contestants through public voting, and when she again failed to grab a place through the special 'wildcard' round, they decided to pass her through to the finals as the judges' choice contestant.

Agnes during a performance at her national "Agnes Live Tour" in 2006

In March 2006, whilst touring in support of her debut album, she released her second single, "Stranded". Although it received positive critical reviews, the single did not gain commercial success and stalled in the singles chart at number twenty-seven. Despite this however, her first album continued to enjoy high sales success, selling over 90,000 copies in Sweden by the time it left the Top 60 Albums chart.

In early 2008, it was announced that Agnes had parted ways with her record label Sony BMG, with Agnes citing "creative differences" behind the split. She then signed to independent label Roxy Recordings and on August 11, "On and On", the first single from her upcoming third studio, was released. The song marked a change in Agnes' music style, going towards a more dance and club style, while moving away from her original pop and R&B. Agnes first performed the song live on August 16, 2008 during the Swedish TV-show "Sommarkrysset".

On June 19, 2010 Agnes and Björn Skifs performed at the Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Daniel Westling. The song When You Tell the World You're Mine is the official wedding song, written especially for this occasion. The lyrics were written by Jörgen Elofsson, who has worked with Agnes before, and the music was written by Jörgen Elofsson & John Lundvik as the official wedding song. As a tribute to Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland engaged Elofsson to compose a song that express what we feel when we fall in love with someone. The song entered the Sweden Top 60 Singles at fourteen and peaked at one the week after, it did also manage to peak at nineteen in Finland. The song was released Worldwide in June, but will also be released as a CD Single and as Agnes' third single in Germany on August 25.

According to the Swedish tabloid Expressen, Agnes fourth album will be released within the first six months of 2011 and the first single is expected during the summer of 2011. First official single is "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was premiered on August 5 at Mr. Gay Sweden Show. The song is written by Agnes, Vincent Pontare, Magnus Lidehäll, The Nervo Twins and produced by Vincent Pontare and Magnus Lidehäll. A music video for the single release was shoot on September 12, 2011 and directed by Mikeadelica.

Why is Agnes Carlsson famous?

Agnes Carlsson is famous because she is a great and talented singer and she released a lot of songs which became hits. She also is famous because she was the winner of the second season of the TV show "Idol". Agnes Carlsson is a great singer and she gained a lot of fame with her songs.

Adrienne Frantz Biography

Birth Name : Adrienne Danielle Frantz

Height : 5' 4" (1.63 m)

Birthday : 1978-06-07

Nickname : Add

Country : United States

Job : Actress, Singer

Hobbies : Table Tennis

An accomplished actor, singer and songwriter, Adrienne Frantz starred as 'Amber Moore Forrester' on CBS's popular daytime drama, The Bold & The Beautiful.

An outgoing only child, by age three Adrienne was holding private dance recitals in her hometown of Mount Clemens, Michigan. In spite of a busy schedule of dance, voice and theater classes, Adrienne managed to graduate from high school at age sixteen and promptly packed her bags and headed off to New York City in search of her dreams -- and never looked back.

Adrienne Danielle Frantz (born June 7, 1978 in Mount Clemens, Michigan) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, best known for her role as Ambrosia "Amber" Moore on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, which she now plays on The Young and the Restless. While on B&B, she also played Amber's sister, April Knight, briefly in 2003.

First breaking into the soap opera genre in 1997 as Tiffany Thorne on Sunset Beach, Frantz left the show later that year for her role as the villainess turned sympathetic heroine Amber on The Bold and the Beautiful. In 2001, she won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress. Frantz played the role on B&B until 2005, when she left to focus on a music career.

B&B head writer Bradley Bell informed Soap Opera Digest that he would be willing to have Frantz back on B&B as Amber at some point in the future.

Outside of B&B, Frantz made a guest appearance as a popstar named Emica in the 2001 Rugrats episode, "All Growed Up," which later was the basis for the spinoff All Grown Up!. She played Claire Redfield in the commercial of Resident Evil 2, directed by George A. Romero, which was released prior to the games' release. However, the commercial was only shown in Japan. Frantz guest starred in an episode of That 70's Show, playing Fez's girlfriend. Franz later appeared in Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield. Frantz was the long time girlfriend of Johnny Rzeznik, lead singer of The Goo Goo Dolls. They broke-up in 2005.

Frantz's other credits include winning the Emmy Award for Younger Leading Actress in 2001, as well as two more nominations; voice work on Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys; and two films: Jimmy Zip and Speedway Junky -- Gus Van Sant's dark tale of runaway kids living on the streets of Las Vegas -- with Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen. Having just finished building a music studio in her home, this ambitious young artist intends to pursue all of her talents, saying, "I don't see why I can't do everything--be an actress and a singer and do films and TV at the same time."

Ever since she was a child, animal welfare issues have always been close to Adrienne's heart. She has worked with PETA, Save the Horses, the Humane Society's Genesis Awards, Actors & Others for Animals Tipi Hedren's Shambala Preserve and The Rescue Cat Association. She is also a supporter of the Pancreatic. Cancer Society, Diabetes Society and several organizations that help abused women and children.

In her free time, Frantz enjoys writing poetry, composing music, attending concerts, skiing, playing. softball, and relaxing at home with her three rescued cats and two chocolate Labrador Retrievers, Lucy and

Ethel.

Adrienne Bailon Biography

Birth Name : Adrienne Eliza Bailon

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York

Nickname : Age

Height : 4' 11" (1.50 m)

Birthday: October 24, 1983

Occupation : Actress, Director

Adrienne Eliza Bailon was born on October 24, 1983 in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan, New York. She was raised by her loving mother, Nilda, father, Freddie, and stepfather, Joe. Adrienne also has an older sister named Claudette, who is three years older than Adrienne. When they were younger, Adrienne and her sister would sing for their family and friends at home. They always knew that singing was what they wanted to do when they grew up. Adrienne's major breakthrough occurred on one fateful day in 1999.

In 1999, Adrienne Bailon became a founding member of 3LW, the multi-platinum, award-winning singing trio with several hits to their name, including No More (Baby I’ma Do Right), Playas Gon’ Play, and I Do (Wanna Get Close to You). The group embarked on the MTV Total Request Live tour with Destiny’s Child in the summer of 2001.

In 2003, Bailon went on to become a founding member of the Cheetah Girls. The group’s 2003 Disney Channel movie, The Cheetah Girls, drew in 84 million viewers worldwide and instantly established the group as a worldwide sensation. The Cheetah Girls was the first ever majority minority cast of any Disney Channel Movie. Their 2006 tour was among the top 10 most successful tours of that year. After making multiple lucrative merchandising deals, they went on to break the record for highest selling merchandise.

As 3LW continued to be around working on another album and releasing a few more singles, Adrienne Bailon and Williams crossed over to a new group under the name The Cheetah Girls, this time with Sabrina Bryan. Together they made movies including The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2, and the upcoming The Cheetah Girls 3: Indian Adventure. As a group they also starred in their self-titled television series at the Disney Channel, but the show was cancelled before being aired. However, they continued to make guest appearances in several television shows including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Good Morning America. The soundtrack albums of their movies also went platinum and double platinum. Eventually they released their self-titled debut album on September 2007.

Apart from being member of two singing groups as well as a blossoming acting career, Adrienne Bailon would also want to go on her own. She played the role of Alana in the series That’s so Raven. She also wants to work on a solo album in 2008, which she plans to have a different flavor from 3LW and The Cheetah Girls, including a line up of Spanish songs. Because of this endeavor there have been speculations that 3LW are bound to disband, added to the group’s current inactivity in the music scene.

Adrien Brody Celebrity

NAME: Adrien Brody

OCCUPATION: Film Actor

BIRTH DATE: April 14, 1973 (Age: 38)

EDUCATION: American Academy of Dramatic Arts, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Queens College

PLACE OF BIRTH: New York, New York

Actor. Born April 14, 1973 in New York City. The son of Hungarian-born photojournalist Sylvia Plachy, Brody accompanied his mother on assignments for the Village Voice and credits her with making him feel comfortable in front of the camera. He attended New York's American Academy of Dramatic Arts at the age of 12 and the High School for the Performing Arts.

Early in his career, Brody appeared in lesser-seen films that earned him critical praise but failed to put him in the public spotlight, such as Steven Soderbergh's 1993 drama King of the Hill, 1994's Angels in the Outfield and 1997's The Last Time I Committed Suicide. Despite a strong performance in Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line in 1988, many of Brody??s scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.

When he was 13, Brody's career began to develop when he starred as an orphan being transported across the Old West to be adopted in "Home at Last" (PBS, 1988). Also that year, he was accepted into the famed LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts to study drama. Brody had his first taste of the bitter reality of show business when he landed his first regular series role on the short-lived sitcom "Annie Maguire" (CBS, 1988), playing the stepson of Mary Tyler Moore. The show was axed after a handful of episodes, leaving the family - which had relocated from New York to Los Angeles - to head back to the East Coast. Meanwhile, he made his feature debut in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed "Life Without Zoe" segment of "New York Stories" (1989). After graduating from LaGuardia in 1991, Brody tried his hand at college; first attending the State University of New York at Stony Brook before transferring to Queens College for a semester. Deciding that going to college was not the right path, Brody quit school and moved back to Los Angeles, dedicated this time to making his stay permanent.

Though he had agency representation and a few credits under his belt, Brody still struggled to gain a foothold in Hollywood. Roles in little known features like the unfortunately titled melodrama "The Boy Who Cried Bitch" (1992) failed to make his case with serious filmmakers. But he did manage to attract the attention of director Steven Soderbergh, who cast him in a small part as a delinquent who serves as a role model for a boy left alone by circumstance (Jesse Bradford) in "King of the Hill" (1993). After a motorcycle accident in 1993 that left him recuperating for several months, he had minor roles in "Angels in the Outfield" (1994) and "Jailbreakers" (Showtime, 1994). Brody received praise for his turn as a gambler who gets in too deep in "Nothing to Lose," which premiered at the 1995 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. A battle over the title led to a delay in its theatrical release, which eventually occurred three years later called "Ten Benny." By that time, Brody had played Mickey Rourke's junkie brother in "Bullet" (1995), a computer whiz in "Solo" (1996), and a homosexual poet modeled after Beat Generation icon Allen Ginsberg in the independently made drama, "The Last Time I Committed Suicide" (1996).

Brody's career progressed steadily, though he still had yet to find that one true breakout role. Reuniting with "Nothing to Lose" director Eric Bross, Brody earned more critical acclaim for his performance as a former alcoholic who bartends and struggles to make it as a playwright, while also coming to terms with losing his girlfriend (Lauryn Hill) in "Restaurant" (1998). Brody was poised for stardom after he filmed "The Thin Red Line" (1998), Terrence Malick's metaphysical look at the futility of war set during the brutal Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II and adapted from the James Jones' autobiographical novel. Brody was cast as Private Fife, the main character in Jones' novel who served as the author's narrator and alter ego. After spending six months filming in Australia alongside such heavy hitters as Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, John Cusack and Woody Harrelson, he started to receive a considerable amount of press, including a cover of Vanity Fair, prior to the film's release. But when he attended an early screening, Brody was shocked and embarrassed to learn that his part had been whittled away to practically nothing in the editing room. Humiliated, Brody was forced to regroup.

Brody managed to reclaim his status as a fast-rising star when Spike Lee tapped him to play a bisexual punk rocker suspected around a Bronx neighborhood of being the serial killer, Son of Sam, in "Summer of Sam" (1999). He displayed an ability to go over to the dark side with a remarkably unsettling turn as a murderous psychopath who buries alive a kidnapping victim (Laila Robins) while eluding an alcoholic detective (Maura Tierney) in the thriller, "Oxygen" (Cinemax, 1999). He next gave a fine starring performance as a young Jewish man who falls for an alluring Catholic girl (Carolyn Murphy) in Barry Levinson's semi-autobiographical "Liberty Heights" (1999), a drama set amid social unrest in mid-1950s Baltimore. The busy actor followed with a leading role in Kenneth Loach's "Bread and Roses" (2000), a fact-based chronicle of California labor union struggles in which he played a lawyer and union agitator who falls for a young Mexican woman (Pilar Padilla). In "Harrison's Flowers" (2000), he had a supporting role as the colleague of a war zone photojournalist (David Straithairn) who is reported dead, leading his wife (Andie MacDowell) to go to war-torn Yugoslavia to find him.

By the time the millennium rolled along, Brody was finally finding some career traction, particularly by the time he played a European count married to a duplicitous 18th century woman (Hilary Swank) plotting to steal a spectacular 2,800 carat diamond necklace in "The Affair of the Necklace" (2001). Brody finally had the breakthrough he was looking for when he delivered a riveting performance in "The Pianist" (2002), playing famed Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman. Directed by Roman Polanski, the film was an intensely personal look at Nazi atrocities in the Krakow ghetto as seen through the eyes of Szpilman, who managed to escape and go into hiding. In true method actor fashion, Brody dropped 30 pounds from his already wiry frame and learned how to play piano, including Frédéric Chopin's "Ballade No. 1," which was featured in a beautiful scene where Szpilman unexpectedly confronts a Nazi officer (Thomas Kretschmann) while trying to open a can of pickles. Brody astounded audiences with the depth of his sensitive, melancholy performance and earned a wealth of critical plaudits, as well as an Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously accepted by dipping and kissing presenter Halle Berry.

Brody was next seen in a small role in "The Singing Detective" (2003) that was filmed pre-Oscar win. His first post-win performance was in writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's disappointing thriller, "The Village" (2003), in which he played Noah, a village idiot in a 19th century-style community isolated from the outside world and subject to a pact with mysterious creatures living in the surrounding woods. Brody next starred in the thriller "The Jacket" (2005), playing an amnesiac man convicted of murder and forced into a morgue drawer while confined in a straight-jacket, where he sees a vision of the future that prompts him to free himself with the help of a woman he has yet to meet (Keira Knightley). Brody made his bid for action hero when he scored the leading role in Peter Jackson's CGI-laden remake of "King Kong" (2006), playing a playwright and screenwriter who accidentally joins a voyage to remote Skull Island, where a film crew discovers dinosaurs roaming about and a giant gorilla that takes a special liking to a struggling vaudeville actress (Naomi Watts).

In the celebrity biography and ode to crime noir, "Hollywoodland" (2006), he portrayed Louis Simo, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who digs into the tawdry life and mysterious death of "Superman" actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck), whose apparent murder leads to dark and complicated revelations about the famed TV actor, while he learns about his own connection to the events. Though most of the praise went to Affleck for his surprising turn as Reeves, Brody, nonetheless was cited for his strong turn as a man on the fringe. In 2006, Brody filmed "Manolete," a Spanish-made look at the famed 1940s bullfighter who had a passionate love affair with tempestuous actress Lupe Sino (Penélope Cruz) until he was killed in the ring in 1947. He next joined forces with acclaimed indie filmmaker Wes Anderson for "The Darjeeling Limited" (2007), the director's rather uninspired dramedy about three brothers (Brody, Jason Schwartzman and Owen Wilson) who embark on a spiritual journey across India following their father's death.

Brody next played real-life record producer Leonard Chess in "Cadillac Records" (2008), a highly fictionalized look at the man who launched the careers of Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles). Despite director Darnell Martin's liberal use of creative license - she ignored facts about Chess not paying his musicians and even removed his brother, with whom Chess formed his record company, from the equation - the filmed was cited by several critics for award-worthy performances, particularly from Brody. Meanwhile, he starred in the caper dramedy, "The Brothers Bloom" (2009), playing a successful con artist partnered with his brother (Mark Ruffalo) and their sidekick (Rinko Kikuchi), who falls for a beautiful heiress (Rachel Weisz) while trying to relieve her of $2.5 million.

Aerin Lauder Biography

Name : Aerin Lauder

Nationality: American.

Born: April 23, 1970, in New York City, New York.

Education: University of Pennsylvania, BA, 1991.

Profession : Creative Director and Chairman, AERIN LLC

Beauty and glamour were integral to Zinterhofer's childhood. She recounted sitting with her grandmother in front of her vanity, studiously observing her techniques for applying eye shadow and lipstick. At an early age she wore opal lip gloss to school and mapped out her plans to work for either the family business or a fashion magazine.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a communications degree, Zinterhofer joined Estee Lauder's Prescriptives marketing team. She began working for the flag-ship Lauder brand in 1995 and was promoted to executive director of creative marketing in 1997. She created seasonal palettes for lipsticks and makeup and devised the concept of seasonal fragrances. She also conceived the notion of seasonal nail varnish bottled in vials small enough to last a season before new colors were launched.

One of her most successful projects was the ad campaign shot by the photographer Steven Meisel featuring the model Elizabeth Hurley. Lauder had researched ads from the 1970s featuring the model Karen Graham and became convinced that the key to a new campaign would be a sense of lifestyle. Elizabeth Hurley was featured running along a beach wearing full bridal attire, pursued by a number of young men presumed to be friends of the groom.

The year 2001 was pivotal for Estee Lauder. The company weathered tough times after the terrorist attacks of September 11 due to a weak economy, a drop in travel, less traffic in department stores, and fierce competition. Additionally, the flag-ship brand was losing ground as consumers' top choice in cosmetics; the company's core customers were aging and so was the company's image.

The firm needed an executive who could be trusted and who truly understood the customer base; Zinterhofer fit the bill. She had worked in different facets of the business, but perhaps more significantly she was a young, glamorous woman. When Zinterhofer acquired the role of vice president of global advertising in 2001, she was positioned at the helm of all advertising for Estee Lauder.

Zinterhofer immediately pushed to reinvent the namesake brand, staying true to its trademark sophistication while introducing modern undertones that would appeal to a younger audience. She recruited the model Carolyn Murphy as a spokes-woman and signed the Ethiopian-born Liya Kebede to the company's first major contract with a black model. She took the bold step of replacing the photographer with whom she had worked so closely, Steven Meisel, bringing on the more modern style of Mario Testino. Estee Lauder had a strong 2003, with 8 percent sales growth, a 20 percent increase in earnings, and $5 billion in sales for the first time.

Ms. Aerin Lauder has been Creative Consultant of Estee Lauder Inc. since April 2011. Ms. Lauder has been Style and Image Director and Director at Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Ms. Lauder served as Senior Vice President and Creative Director of Estee Lauder Companies Inc., since July 2004. Ms. Lauder served as Vice President of Global Advertising for the brand of Global Creative Directions of Estee Lauder from April 2001 to June 2004. She served as an Executive Director.

Adrianne Palicki Biography

Full name: Adrianne Palicki

Nickname : Annie

Height : 5' 11" (1.80 m)

Birth Place: Toledo, OH

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 05/06/1983, Taurus

Profession: Actress

Adrianne Palicki Relationships:

Jeff Palicki - Father

Nancy Palicki - Mother

Eric Palicki - Brother

Alan Tudyk - Significant Other

Adrianne Palicki was born on May 19, 1983, in Toledo, Ohio. Though she’s now known for her beauty and grace, Palicki was actually thought of as a tomboy throughout her formative years. She participated in a variety of athletic endeavors while attending Whitmer High School, including stints on the basketball and track-and-field teams. It wasn’t until she was a sophomore that she first gave thought to the idea of acting, with a small role in the school play inevitably cementing her desire to pursue a career as a performer.

After graduating from high school, Palicki packed up and moved to New York City to participate in a modeling and talent competition. Three months later, she decided to devote herself 100% to her dream of making it as an actress, and she subsequently moved to Los Angeles. She quickly landed roles in a pair of 2003 indies, with her big break coming the very next year after she successfully auditioned for a starring role in a Lost in Space pilot directed by John Woo. Though the show wasn’t picked up.

In 2006, Palicki joined the ensemble cast of the critically acclaimed drama "Friday Night Lights," based on H.G. Bissinger's classic 1990 book and a 1994 film of the same name. The show centered on the Permian Panthers, the high school football team in a fictional Texas town, and the team's coach and his family. Palicki portrayed the cheerleader girlfriend of one of the football players who, as the series progressed, tried to shed her bad-girl reputation. While the show was well received by critics and audiences alike, it struggled with low ratings and was moved around different networks, which led to it ultimately getting canceled.

Palicki's earnest performance on "Friday Night Lights" led to bigger roles, including a lead part on "Lone Star" (Fox, 2010), as the unsuspecting wife of a Texas con man (James Wolk) who is leading a double life. While the series' pilot earned rave reviews, low ratings forced its cancellation after the second episode. In 2010, Palicki starred in the remake of the 1984 cult classic "Red Dawn," about a group of teenagers fighting Russian and Chinese soldiers who have invaded their small town. That same year, Palicki made headlines when writer-producer David E. Kelley handpicked her to star in the remake of the popular 1970s television series "Wonder Woman," taking over the super heroine role made famous by Lynda Carter. On the series, Palicki played an updated version of Wonder Woman, a.k.a. Diana Prince, a vigilante crime fighter in Los Angeles who is also a successful corporate executive trying to balance all the elements of her extraordinary life.

Adrianne Curry biography

Name : Adrianne Curry

Birth Name : Adrianne Marie Curry

Date of Birth :6 August 1982

Place of Birth : Joliet, Illinois, USA

Height : 5' 10 ''

Nationality : American

Profession : Model, Actress

Born Adrianne Marie Curry on 6 August 1982, in Joliet, Illinois, Curry grew up dreaming to be the winner of a reputed beauty pageant and a top fashion model. A drug addict (heroin and cocaine) at an early age, Curry dropped from junior school in 2000. Temping her way through the next 2-3 years, Curry tried her hand at telemarketing, waitressing besides other similar professions. Despite the grim life, her desire to become a top-notch model was the only consistent factor.

In 2003, the opportunity she had been looking for came her way, and she applied to take part on ANTM, a reality show by UPN, which transforms everyday women into fierce and poised supermodels. A perfect platform for Curry to display her outer and inner beauty, she was determined to win the contest right from the word go! After several weeks of gruelling training, photo shoots, and fashion shows, Curry was crowned the winner. But, all was not as it seemed. Though the show made Adrianne Curry a household name, it failed to provide her modelling career the kind of launching pad she was expecting.

So the scout was telling the truth after all. Having by then missed the audition, undeterred, Adrianne Curry followed her gut and decided to submit an audition tape. Though it was going to arrive late she still managed to make the cut and later went on to beat nearly 32,000 hopefuls to win a spot on the program as one of the ten contestants. The trash talking, unpolished rock & roller was an underdog from the first episode. Though Adrianne Curry had to come from behind in the competition, her exuberant and colorful personality led to her being one of the obvious stars of the show. To the surprise of many, including Tyra Banks, Adrianne hung-in, polished up and was crowned America’s Next Top Model! Adrianne Curry walked away from the show with a modeling agency contract that has landed her modeling gigs in NYC, LA, Italy and South Africa. The statuesque, 5'11" Adrianne has modeled for Macy's, Merit Diamonds, Sirena Collection, has appeared in numerous high-fashion magazines and has starred in two episodes of UPN’s "Half and Half" and one episode of "Rock Me Baby". Then, in late 2004, came a call for Adrianne Curry to get back onto the small screen again, as she signed on to star in the hit reality series "Surreal Life" (season 4) on VH1. Along with cast-mates Christopher Knight, Marcus Schenkenberg, Joanie "Chyna Doll" Laurer, Verne Troyer, Jane Wiedlin and Da Brat, the show took the audiences by storm and has established itself as the highest-rated show in VH1 history.

In 2005, Curry returned to the small screen to participate in VH1's reality show 'The Surreal Life'. This despite her bittersweet experience with the medium; and on the show she was in company of 'forgotten and unsuccessful' celebs like Verne Troyer, Joanie Laurer and Da Brat. Not only did the show inject a new life in her career, but it proved to be fateful as she met and fell in love with a co-star - former Brady Bunch star - Christopher Knight. This romance was the highlight of the show, and led the couple to start their own spin-off called 'My Fair Brady'.

The year 2006 was a very busy year for Curry. She appeared in 'Ballbreakers', 'Lingerie Bowl', and 'Hot Properties' besides getting married to Christopher and posing nude on Playboy!

She was cast in 'Fallen Angels' (2006), a big screen horror movie along with Micheal Dorn. Currently, she hosts an internet radio show on NOWLIVE.COM, where her fans can call in real time to talk to her.

Adriana Lima Biography

Birth Name : Adriana Francesca Lima

Nickname : LimaBean

Height : 5' 10" (1.78 m)

Date of Birth : June 12, 1981

Birth Place : Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Famous as : Supermodel

Adriana Lima (Adriana Francesca Lima) was born on 12 June 1981 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Adriana is from French, Portuguese, Native American, and Caribbean descent.

At the age of 13, Lima was first spotted by a agent when she was shopping at a local mall. When Lima was 15, she won the Ford Supermodel of Brazil title, while she was placed second in the Ford Supermodel Of The World contest. Shortly thereafter, Lima moved to New York moved from Ford and signed a contract with Elite Model Management.

Modeling career :

Lima was discovered while shopping at a local mall at the age of 13. At the age of 15, she entered and finished in first place in Brazil`s Ford Supermodel of the World Search. She subsequently entered the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest and finished second place. Three years later, she moved to New York City, and signed with Elite Model Management. Lima’s modeling portfolio began to expand exponentially, appearing in numerous international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire. As for fashion shows, she has walked the catwalks for big-name designers such as Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, Emanuel Ungaro, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, among others. Lima then became a GUESS? girl appearing on GUESS? Fall 2000 ad campaign. She also appeared in the book 'A second decade of Guess? Images'.

In 2001, Lima starred in BMW short film, The Follow alongside actors Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, and Forest Whitaker. The film was directed by Hong Kong film director and internationally renowned auteur Wong Kar-Wai.

Lima continued to build upon her entry, doing more print work for Maybelline, bebe, Mossimo, BCBG and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines such as Harper`s Bazaar, ELLE, Vogue, GQ, to name a few. Her April 2006 GQ cover was the highest-selling issue of the year. Her other notable works include the well-famed Pirelli Calendar 2005 and the face of Italy’s big cell phone carrier Telecom Italia Mobile where she became known as the "Catherine Zeta-Jones of Italy."

Lima is probably best known for her work with Victoria`s Secret. She first graced the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1999 and has appeared on subsequent shows ever since. Her most notable walk down the runway was in 2003, where she was the show opener. Lima had appeared on several television ads for the brand but her most memorable one, was appearing alongside the legendary rock musician Bob Dylan in 2003 Victoria`s Secret Angel in Venice commercial which received both praise and criticism. She is currently a contract 'Angel' and spokesperson for the brand.

Lima is also a spokesperson for cosmetic giant Maybelline New York. She is the world`s fourth highest paid supermodel as of 2007.

Personal life :

Lima is fluent in three languages—Portuguese, Spanish and English. In her free time, she loves reading a novel by her favorite author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Lima has admitted that she was shy around boys when she was younger, not receiving her first kiss until she was 17 years old. In an interview with GQ April 2006 issue, Lima told the magazine that she is a virgin. “Sex is for after marriage," she says. "They have to respect that this is my choice. If there`s no respect, that means they don't want me." US GQ dubbed her as "The World`s Most Voluptuous Virgin".

Despite reports, Lima denied ever being engaged to rocker Lenny Kravitz and said that she and Kravitz are just friends. She has also been romantically linked to other celebrities in the past, including New York Yankees superstar, Derek Jeter and Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein.

Currently, Lima is reported dating NBA Minnesota Timberwolves player, Serbian Marko Jaric.

Why is She famous :

Adriana Lima is one of Brazil’s finest exports. Men know her best as one of the elite Victoria’s Secret Angels, an association that has allowed her to participate in many company events such as ritzy runway shows and popular Super Bowl ads for the past decade. The reach of Adriana Lima’s fame has extended beyond the many pop culture branches of the Victoria’s Secret umbrella, allowing her to experiment with other top-line modeling campaigns, runway appearances and acting projects.

Adriana Lima’s substantial industry power and strong physical appeal have earned her an amount of fame that puts her among the very best in her profession. If today’s Queen Bee model Gisele Bundchen were to glance over her shoulder, she would likely see Adriana Lima looking back from her consistent place as one of today’s five top-earning models. In addition to her financial status, Lima’s high beauty pedigree has earned her nods from the respective “Sexiest Women” and “Most Beautiful People” lists of People and FHM, while here at AskMen we have featured her numerous times as one of our Top 99 Most Desirable Women -- including the No. 1 spot in 2005.

Adrian Grenier Biography

Birth Name : Adrian S. Grenier

Nickname : A, Adi

Height : 6' (1.83 m)

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY

Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 07/10/1976, Cancer

Profession: Actor; director; producer; musician

American actor, director and musician Adrian Grenier was born on July 10, 1976 in Brooklyn, New York. He is of Apache Native American and European descent. Grenier attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts before studying drama at Bard College. There, he became a hippie bongo drum player, as well as playing the piano, the French horn and the guitar.

Adrian Grenier’s film debut was in the independent drama Arresting Gena, where he was cast as Kabush in 1997. He had small roles in Hurricane and Fishes Outta Water. He then landed a role opposite Melissa Joan Hart in 1999’s romantic comedy Drive Me Crazy. The two of them were also in the Britney Spears music video “You Drive Me Crazy.” He was given a role in Cecil B. Demented in 2000, and was followed by a role in James Toback’s Harvard Man.

Grenier's next project was in quite a different vein from his previous work, starring as an edgy activist turned dream date to girl-next-door Nicole (Melissa Joan Hart) in "Drive Me Crazy". He performed well in the film and affected the perfect detached too-cool-to-care facade that teenage girls expect in a heartthrob. For his next role in John Waters' "Cecil B Demented", he portrayed an actor, the leading man in the titular director's latest schlocky offering "Raving Beauty". Grenier returned to hallowed halls, this time as a college student gone wrong in James Toback's "Harvard Man" (2001). Cast opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar, another teen favorite, he played the eponymous basketball star who falls into a life of compulsive gambling and drug abuse.

Grenier made his directorial debut in 2002, when he worked on the documentary Shot in the Dark. It was about his search for his estranged father, and was made in an attempt to forge a relationship with him. The two reunited, and the documentary premiered on HBO in 2007.

Grenier has also appeared on films like Love in the Time of Money and Hart’s War in 2002. He was also cast as Clay Askins in Bringing Rain and played Ray Polito in Anything Else. In 2004, he landed the lead role in the HBO series Entourage. This brought him success and pushed his career onto the mainstream. Two years later, he won the role of Anne Hathaway’s character’s boyfriend in The Devil Wears Prada. In 2008, he was cast as Dallas Houston in the comedy Adventures of Power. Grenier is also the member of two bands, as a lead singer in Kid Friendly and as a drummer in The Honey Brothers.

Adam Sandler Biography

NAME: Adam Sandler

OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Comedian, Songwriter, Singer, Screenwriter

BIRTH DATE: September 09, 1966 (Age: 45)

EDUCATION: New York University

PLACE OF BIRTH: New York, New York

Adam Sandler Relationships:

Sunny Madeline Sandler - Daughter

Elizabeth Sandler - Sister

Jackie Titone - Wife

Judy Sandler - Mother

Sadie Madison Sandler - Daughter

Scott Sandler - Brother

Stan Sandler - Father

Valerie Sandler - Sister

Actor, comedian, musician. Born on September 9, 1966, in New York City. Raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, as one of seven children, Sandler was always the class clown. However, he never aspired to be a comedian until age 17 when his brother encouraged him to perform at a Boston comedy club.

Sandler continued to perform after he left Boston to attend New York University. After graduation, he became a regular on MTV's game show, Remote Control. In 1989, he starred in his first film, Going Overboard. He was later spotted by Saturday Night Live cast member Dennis Miller who got him a job on the show, which lasted from 1990 to 1995. It was there that Sandler created such characters as Cajun Man, Opera Man and Canteen Boy.

Sandler's first starring role was in 1989, in the film Going Overboard. In 1995, he starred in Billy Madison, in which he plays a grown, though uneducated, man repeating grades 1?12 to earn back his father's respect, along with the right to inherit his father's multi-million-dollar hotel empire. He followed this film with other financially successful comedies such as Bulletproof (1996), Happy Gilmore (1996) and The Wedding Singer (1998). He was initially cast in the bachelor-party-themed comedy/thriller Very Bad Things (1998), but had to back out due to his involvement in The Waterboy (1998), one of his first hits.

Although his earlier films did not receive critical praise, his more recent films, beginning with Punch-Drunk Love (2002), have received almost uniformly positive reviews. Some critics concluded that Sandler possessed considerably more acting ability that they believed had been previously wasted on poorly written scripts and characters with no development. Sandler has moved outside the genre of slapstick comedy to take on more serious parts such as the aforementioned Punch-Drunk Love (for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe), Spanglish (2004).

A remake of the prison football comedy "The Longest Yard" (2005) - with Sandler in the Burt Reynolds role of a jailed NFL quarterback leading a team of inmates against their guards - was a half-step backward, and though it lacked much of the original's charm and edge, it proved popular at the box office. In "Click" (2006), he was back to playing a misunderstood everyman who stumbles onto a device that allows him to rewind, fast-forward and pause his life at will. Critics were fairly merciless about the film's debt to "It's a Wonderful Life" and other superior explorations of the film's theme, but audiences flocked to the tune of over $200 million dollars. Taking another sojourn into the dramatic arena, Sandler played a dentist coping with the loss of his family on September 11th in "Reign Over Me" (2007). Again critics and audiences disagreed, and the well-received film made a paltry box office showing - audiences wanted the silly, senseless Sandler; the same Sandler who had beaten Bob Barker with a golf club and declared "The price is wrong, bitch!" Sandler made a financial rebound to somewhat familiar territory with "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" (2007), starring as a heterosexual firefighter who feigns marriage with another fireman (Kevin James) to qualify for the department's domestic partner benefits.

In 2008, Sandler joined forces with Judd Apatow for "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," an unlikely pairing that brought the mastermind behind real-life based comedies like "40-Year-Old Virgin" (2005) into Sandler's preposterous premise land. This time, Sandler starred as an Israeli intelligence officer who fakes his own death to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a hairstylist in New York City. The film was not as strongly received as Sandler's Disney family film, "Bedtime Stories" (2008), but Apatow signed him on for a starring role as a possibly-dying stand-up comedian for "Funny People" (2009). Although the script gave Sandler one of his most demanding acting roles up to that point, the film itself did mediocre box office compared to Apatow's previous smashes. Embracing all the sides of his career, Sandler moved on to the good-natured "Grown Ups" (2010), reuniting with old "SNL" pals David Spade, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider, as well as "Chuck and Larry" co-star Kevin James, about a group of friends gathering together to reminisce after the death of their childhood basketball coach. The film seemed to capture the tone of Sandler and company's lives off camera as well - nostalgic for the earlier days, but looking towards the future with optimism.

Adam Sandler Awards:

2003 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee

1991 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee

1992 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee

1993 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee

2009 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Male Star - Winner

2006 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Male - Winner

2005 People's Choice Awards: Favorite On Screen Match Up - Winner

2000 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Motion Picture Star in a Comedy - Winner

2011 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Comedic Star - Winner