Eric Bruskotter

Midwestern actor Eric Bruskotter broke into television in the mid 1980s with a couple of one-offs, but his big break came in 1987 when he landed a supporting role in the high school-set romantic comedy "Can't Buy Me Love." He was soon earning more noteworthy parts, including a recurring role on the Vietnam War TV drama "Tour of Duty," on which he played Private Scott Baker for a 20-episode arc. Bruskotter's twin brother, Karl, also scored a small part on the series. In 1994, Eric landed the role of the aptly named rookie, Rube Baker, in the zany baseball comedy "Major League II." He'd later reprise this role in the sequel "Major League: Back to the Minors." While he is well remembered as Rube, Bruskotter may be best known as the oafish Breckinridge in the schlocky sci-fi film "Starship Troopers." In the film, the "big and dumb" Breckinridge is accidentally shot and killed in a training exercise, resulting in a brutal use of practical effects. Interestingly, the actress who played his inadvertent murderer, Tami-Adrian George, later became his wife. Since then the husky Midwesterner has continued to garner roles with his marketable niche, appearing in such popular programs as HBO's acclaimed funeral home-set drama "Six Feet Under" and the buddy-centered sitcom "How I Meet Your Mother."