Taylor Kinney

Whether he was playing an inexperienced EMT or a supernatural creature, Taylor Kinney infused an "Old Hollywood" leading man sensibility and unabashed masculinity into each role. With his brooding good looks and undeniable sex appeal, Kinney mesmerized viewers as the mysterious werewolf come-to-town, Mason Lockwood, on The CW's hit series "The Vampire Diaries" (2009-17). While he was killed off after only a handful of episodes, such was his appeal that he made a lasting impact with viewers. He even caught the eye of one of the world's most famous women, singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, whom Kinney began dating in 2011 after co-starring in her sexy music video "You and I" (2011). The actor's career took off in 2012 when he was cast as a Navy SEAL in "Zero Dark Thirty," Katherine Bigelow's award-winning and controversial film about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. That same year, Kinney finally landed one of the lead roles on the NBC drama "Chicago Fire" (2012- ), a physically and emotionally demanding role that further showcased his immense talent and likeability, and opened doors for more high-profile and exciting projects.