Vinny Guadagnino

Vinny Guadagnino had the best summer of his life when he joined the cast of "Jersey Shore" (MTV, 2009-12), a reality series in which cameras followed every hookup, every boardwalk fight and every fist pump from a group of young Italian-Americans living together in New Jersey. Guadagnino walked into the shore house as a "mama's boy" with a mission - to celebrate his 21st year surrounded by plenty of single women and alcohol - and it helped turn the freshman series into a reality franchise for the network. Even though "Jersey Shore" was mired by controversy, with Italian-American organizations offended by the housemates' questionable use of the terms "Guido" and "Guidette," Guadagnino maintained a positive attitude and unwavering pride for his traditional Italian roots throughout the show's breakout first season.