Gareth David-Lloyd

With his handsome leading man looks, Gareth David-Lloyd gained prominence as the star of Britain's smash sci-fi hit "Torchwood." At the same time he began to carve out a distinctive career in a cavalcade of intriguing roles throughout the 2000s. After a few leads in school plays as a boy, David-Lloyd joined Newport's Dolman Youth Theatre, where he won acclaim for turns in classics such as "Macbeth," "The Threepenny Opera," and "Henry V." David-Lloyd's performance in the latter caught the eye of Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock, who sent Lloyd £250 to pursue acting. David-Lloyd went on to study at Coleg Gwent in Wales while consistently appearing on the stage. In 2003, David-Lloyd began to appear on screen in British television and films, including Stephen Fry's PR-industry satire "Absolute Power," the mystery series "Rosemary & Thyme," and the biographical miniseries "Beethoven," where he won accolades for his portrayal of Karl van Beethoven, the nephew of the famed composer. But it was the part of Ianto Jones in the hit "Dr. Who" spin-off "Torchwood" that cemented his career and won him worldwide fame. David-Lloyd played the character from 2006 to 2008, and in his final year on the show, he had the honor of portraying Jones on an episode of "Dr. Who."