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Michael Ealy
Though once featured as one of People magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" in 2002, actor Michael Ealy was always far more interested in developing his dramatic skills than trading in his looks for stardom. A latecomer to the entertainment game, Ealy learned his craft on the fly while serving tables in various New York City restaurants in order to toil away in acting classes in search of his big break. That break came with a small, but very noticeable role in the urban comedy hit, "Barbershop" (2002), landing Ealy on the acting map. But it was his starring role in the ambitious and controversial Showtime series "Sleeper Cell" (2005-06) that forced audiences to look past the surface to recognize his considerable acting talents.