Kat Von D

Kat Von D's talent and passion made her one of the most prominent figures in the world of tattoos, while her easygoing-yet-unwavering personality won over millions of television viewers. Growing up surrounded by various cultures, music and art, Kat Von D developed a passion for tattoos not just as a means of rebellion, but as a form of self-expression. She padded her résumé with stints at some of the most renowned tattoo shops in California before making her mark as a featured artist on the reality series "Miami Ink" (TLC, 2005-08). Kat Von D's signature tattoo style of realistic portraits established her career as an artist, but it was her spitfire attitude on the show that caught the viewers' attention. After a falling-out with her "Miami Ink" co-stars, Kat Von D opened her own tattoo shop in Los Angeles and starred on her own series "LA Ink" (TLC, 2007-11), where she dealt with a rotating door of employed artists, catered to various clients (including celebrities), and set a world record for the most tattoos given in a 24-hour period. Fame took its toll mostly on Kat Von D's love life, including a short-lived engagement to Hollywood bad boy Jesse James that ended in 2011. Yet even through her professional success and personal letdowns, Kat Von D remained a smart and steadfast entrepreneur whose unparalleled creations elevated tattoos into an undeniable art form.