Brad Pitt

Once proclaimed as the Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine, Oklahoma-born William Bradley Pitt was raised in Missouri where his high school years were spent in sports, debating, student government - and an occasional appearance in school musicals.

In college, he was just about to complete his journalism degree when he decided to pursue a career in Hollywood.

In the late '80's, bit parts on TV were followed by his breakthrough role as a charismatic drifter in Thelma & Louise. And if critics praised his look, rather than his performance, he later answered them with a string of successful dramatic roles in A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford and later in Legends of the Fall. Other successes followed with performances in Interview with the Vampire opposite Tom Cruise.