Nate Berkus

Chicago-based interior decorator Nate Berkus appeared numerous times on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (ABC, 1986-2011) revamping celebrity homes (including Winfrey's own office), and making headlines of a different sort in 2004 when he survived the deadly tsunami that struck throughout South Asia. His partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, was killed during the devastating event, and Berkus went on to tell their story on Winfrey's daytime talk show, giving a face to the millions who were affected by the natural disaster, but also to young gay men coming out. Four years after the tragedy, the handsome design guru found a new way to get inside millions of American homes, as the host of "Oprah's Big Give" (ABC, 2008), the first competitive reality show from Winfrey's mega media empire. Eventually Berkus left the proverbial nest by hosting his own design/talk show, "The Nate Berkus Show" (syndicated, 2010-12), proving he was a viable draw to millions of viewers on his own merit.