Angie Harmon

Blessed with world-class beauty as well as common sense, Angie Harmon easily made the difficult leap from popular model to respected actress. Often cast as powerful professionals, the husky-voiced Harmon got her start as a detective on "Baywatch Nights" (syndicated, 1995-97), but made her name as the tough Assistant District Attorney Abbie Carmichael on "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010). She played the sexy handler of Frankie Muniz's teen spy "Agent Cody Banks" (2003) and impressed critics as part of an impressive ensemble in the Liam Neeson/Pierce Brosnan Western "Seraphim Falls" (2007). Football pro Jason Sehorn's marriage proposal to her - a surprise during a taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (NBC, 1992-2014) - made headlines, as did her outspoken conservative beliefs. While she struggled to find her professional footing with the short-lived "Women's Murder Club" (ABC, 2007-08), she rebounded with the starring role in the crime drama "Rizzoli & Isles" (TNT, 2010-16). While her looks may have opened Hollywood's door, Harmon's talent and unique presence helped her maintain a strong, dependable television presence. Born Aug. 10, 1972 in Dallas, TX, Angela Michelle Harmon was the only child of two former models, enjoying the genetic blessing of a mixture of Greek, Irish and Cherokee ancestry. She actually began her career as a newborn, appearing in a hospital-made film "How to Give Your Baby a Bath," and later as a child model. In 1988, she was named the winner of Seventeen magazine's cover model contest, and after completing high school, Harmon won the Spectrum Model Search. Harmon subsequently graced the runways for Calvin Klein, Versace, Donna Karan and Valentino, among others, and landed photo spreads in French and Italian Vogue and Glamour as well as American ELLE and Cosmopolitan.