Brian Van Holt

A striking surfer boy, Brian Van Holt moved from modeling to small roles in "A Very Brady Sequel" (1996) and a slew of television shows, including "Sex and the City" (HBO, 1998-2004) and a starring turn in the short-lived sitcom "Love & Money" (CBS, 1999-2000). Although he made the occasional foray into comedy, including "Whipped" (2000) with then-girlfriend Amanda Peet, and into horror, including the Paris Hilton vehicle "House of Wax" (2005), he was mostly cast as soldiers or cops in films such as "Black Hawk Down" (2001), "Windtalkers" (2002), "Basic" (2003) and "S.W.A.T." (2003). After an acclaimed turn as Butchie Yost, a heroin-addicted surfer haunted by his own personal demons on "John from Cincinnati" (HBO, 2007), Van Holt won the role of goofy good ole' boy Bobby Cobb, the delightfully dimwitted ex-husband of Jules (Courteney Cox) on "Cougar Town" (ABC, 2009-12; TBS, 2013-15). Effortlessly stealing scenes but also supplying much of the show's heart, Van Holt's profile enjoyed a subsequent substantial boost. Talented and handsome, Brian Van Holt may have proved massively charming as less-than-brilliant characters, but he grounded all his performances with an impressive humanity.