Carlos PenaVega

Carlos Peña inspired millions of teenage girls each time he simply appeared onscreen or performed onstage. With his comedic flair and natural charisma, Peña rose to fame when he starred on Nickelodeon's teen comedy series "Big Time Rush" (2009-2013). The series followed four hockey-playing best friends from Minnesota who move to Los Angeles and trade in their hockey gear for a chance at music stardom. "Big Time Rush" showcased not only Peña's acting talent, but also his vocal and dancing abilities. The theater-trained star parlayed his love for performing into a full-blown career, first with guest appearances on various television shows, and then with his breakout role on "Big Time Rush." His success on the hit show made Peña a teen idol, yet he stretched his acting muscles in the feature drama "Little Birds" (2011), a sure sign that he had more to offer beyond his heartthrob years. However, a stint on "Dancing With the Stars" (ABC 2005- ) and a leading role in the live musical "Grease Live" (Fox 2016) meant that Peña knew to play to his strengths. (After Peña married actress Alexa Vega in January 2014, both changed their surname to PenaVega.)