Ryan Murphy

Though he began his career working as a journalist for several major newspapers, writer and director Ryan Murphy shifted gears to become the creator and executive producer of "Nip/Tuck" (FX, 2003-10), a controversial, but stylish drama about two Miami-based plastic surgeons who constantly struggle between morality and profit. Having never dreamed of being a television producer, Ryan did have vague notions of someday working in the film industry, but he never anticipated creating a hit show that would earn both praise and scorn for its over-the-top sexuality, ambiguous morals and stomach-churning operations. Even before "Nip/Tuck," Murphy had little to do with television - he created the short-lived "Popular" (WB, 1999-2001) and sold a screenplay to Steven Spielberg - but chose instead to focus on entertainment journalism for The Miami Herald - a roundabout path that eventually led him toward a successful film and television career. He further cemented his bona fides when he drew upon his own high school experiences as an actor to create and executive produce the popular musical comedy, "Glee" (Fox, 2009-2015), proving that Murphy was always willing to take a creative risk.