Reflecting on the past two years, there are a few guys I'd like to invite over for a "playdate". Check out what makes these guys awesome - and places them right on top of my "to interview" list!
PAULO COSTANZO
Currently playing lovable smartass Evan R. Lawson on one of my favorite TV series, Royal Pains, you might remember him starring as Friends actor Matt LeBlanc's sweet geeky nephew Michael on Joey.
The 32 year old Canadian of Italian descent practically inherited his artsy talent, considering his mother is a singer/songwriter and his father an artist.
What I think is pretty cool (not only because I share his affinity) is his love for old movies and music - in an interview with TV Guide Magazine he declared listening to the 40s station his "guilty pleasure".
In addition, his hilarious, lovable, hyperactive-ish type personality makes him my kind of guy.
JAMES RODAY & DULÉ HILL
The 35 year old West Wing (probably one of the best TV series ever made) alumn Dulé Hill currently stars as fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer's (Roday) equally handsome knowledgeable sidekick Burton "Gus" Guster on one of my all-time favorite TV series, Psych. His great on and off screen chemistry (check it out!) with his 34 year old co-star James Roday lifts my spirits every time I see them. What makes these guys even better in my eyes is their long-term commitment to their equally lovely leading ladies Nicole Lyn and Maggie Lawson.
BEN SCHWARTZ
This funnyman caught my attention with his portrayal of agent Bill Hoyt on the (unfortunately) cancelled TV series Undercovers.
As it turns out, he has already achieved notable success working as a freelance writer for the Late Show with David Letterman's monologue and Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update. His remarkable work as a comedy writer earned him an Emmy award - for writing Hugh Jackman's opening number at the Oscars as a matter of fact.
Much of his great stuff can be checked out on his website RejectedJokes.com - I'm curious about what's next on his agenda; I have a feeling this guy is going places!
ZACHARY QUINTO & CHRIS PINE
What these guys did was pretty remarkable - they were able to get girls like me who don't particularly care for science fiction to pay for watching a Star Trek movie - twice (not to appear overly obsessed, I had to see it once in English and once in German and both times with different people).
Their critically acclaimed revival of Spock & Captain Kirk made me want to join their bromance. Turns out I have a thing for sassy comments and special ears...
Anyways, there's a great amount of hilarious interviews with them on the internet, however, this is my favorite. Well then... let's all live long and prosper!
COLIN HANKS
Building a successful acting career is hard, but when you look like the outstanding Tom Hanks himself it might be even harder - considering your father is one of the greatest actors of our time, expectations are high and comparisons inevitable.
So far, Hanks senior's talented offspring did well for himself, best known for his portrayal of Jack Bailey on the short-lived TV series The Good Guys (co-starring the brilliant Bradley Whitford) and as Alex Whitman in Roswell, he also had substantial supporting roles in the 2005 remake of King Kong and the romantic comedy The House Bunny.
His witty and tremendously charming demeanor is really what caught my eye, he's absolutely fun to watch!
In the interview I linked above, Colin talks about his encounter with The Hoff which is the best possible segway to saying something that I've wanted to say for quite a while. As I'm qualified to clear up this urban myth due to my ancestry, I'd like to clarify that no German has ever thought that David Hasselhoff's Looking For Freedom was in any way responsible for, nor credited with the fall of the Berlin wall. The only reason why he's been famous in Germany is because of Knight Rider and Baywatch, two series that were hugely popular amongst Germans. Now he's just a buffoon... and I really hope he gets his act together some day.
JESSE EISENBERG
After his notable performances in The Squid And The Whale, Adventureland and Zombieland, the 27 year old New Yorker rose to great fame with his 2010 portrayal of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
A self-proclaimed "naturally anxious person", he's kind, awesomely sarcastic, smart and obviously uncomfortable with attention which makes him also very sweet and down to earth. A great example is his interview with Conan - "My life is basically just... you know, feeding and cleaning cats... and then I get to be the sexiest geek alive..." - and of course, the interview with David Letterman.
The son of a college professor and a former professional party clown, is currently (I don't know if he's graduated already) studying for a degree in Democracy and Cultural Pluralism - so maybe he'd like to compare notes sometime (as I'm currently studying socio-cultural geography - also referred to as the "anthropological part" of my environmental science degree)...
Anyways, I'm pretty sure we're going to see a whole lot more of this very talented guy in the future!
RYAN REYNOLDS
People's Sexiest Man Alive (2010) rose to fame with his portrayal of ditzy heartthrob Berg in Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place, and became even more popular with the ladies after playing the lead in the romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe. However, starring as Deadpool in X-Man Origins: Wolverine proved he's not just the ladies man but also very capable of playing more serious roles - most recently portraying Paul Conroy in Buried, being another example. Fortunately, he decided to star in yet another romantic comedy, because The Proposal was just hilarious and probably one of the best movies that genre had to offer in a long time.
Married to, and now unfortunately separated from the lovely Scarlett Johannsson (I wished they'd work it out - I'd never give up so easily), the 34 year old Canadian enjoys traveling and riding motorcycles.
In November 2008, he ran the New York City Marathon on behalf of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, raising funds for research that will hopefully lead to the creation of better Parkinson's treatments - or even help find a cure! Click here if you want to help further this great cause.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
The 29 year old former 'N Sync member and Micky Mouse Club alumn caught my eye once he started his solo music career. Like I Love You, Señorita as well as Work It and Where Is The Love? - his collaborations with Nelly and The Black Eyed Peas respectively were some of my favorite songs at the time of their releases.
After that I lost track of him for a while until the avid amateur golfer who dated the "old all-American girl Britney Spears" (before she had her very public mental breakdown), the absolutely enchanting Cameron Diaz and since 2007 the equally lovely actress Jessica Biel, decided to pursue acting and designing fashion (his William Rast clothing line that he created with his childhood friend Trace is pretty damn awesome).
He also does a lot of charitable work, being very dedicated to promoting music education as essential to a child’s development and regularly takes part in charity events that raise funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
His acting is also getting better by the year - he did an outstanding job with his 2010 portrayal of Sean Parker on The Social Network.
Also, he has shown that he's quite the comedian with his hilarious "Single Ladies" dance performance, his award-winning SNL skit "Dick In A Box", and the "History Of Rap" duet with Jimmy Fallon as well as his very amusing impersonation of John Mayer.
TANC SADE
The 30 year old Australian native is best known for his role of eccentric womanizer Finn on Gilmore Girls and has recently appeared in an episode of The Mentalist, entitled Red All Over.
In 2009, the avid Rugby player and mountain biking enthusiast, founded Five Island Films, an independent film production company for which he writes, produces and directs thought provoking short films. "We're a young passionate group of idiots who believe anything is possible with a good story and an active imagination." I think Flowers And Weeds is the best example of his dedication and appreciation of the art of storytelling. The well written, beautifully shot film engages the viewer with a heartfelt storyline, striking visuals and beautiful music - probably some of the best 15 minutes in film!
Mark my words, Tanc Sade is on the best way to becoming the Woody Allen of Generation Y.
LUIS BENAVIDES
And last but not least, my personal favorite (ok I admit I'm a little biased here) - definitely one of the greatest guys there is - Luis Benavides.
Born and raised in Colombia, Luis beat the odds early on in life. Graduating with a BSc in Telecommunication Engineering, he earned a scholarship for young gifted Latin Americans to work on his Master's degree in E-Business at the renowned Politecnico di Torino in Italy. Aside from co-founding and developing his family's online real estate agency and being fluent in Spanish, English, Italian and German, it wasn't long until Google realized his potential and hired him in 2007.
With great ambition and will-power, the 28 year old technology buff spends his free time furthering his language, programming and leadership skills. Considering his busy agenda, it still amazes me how he manages to be a kick-ass guitarist and loving husband!
Move over, Tim Ferriss - there's a new 21st century leader on the rise!
This is obviously just a small selection of great guys of 2009/2010 - so feel free to share your favorites! Who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to interview these guys for SOFIA magazine sometime...
Like Dooley says, “Life’s not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it’s about doing, being and becoming. It’s about the choices you’ve just made, and the ones you’re about to make, it’s about the things you choose to say - today. It’s about what you’re gonna do after you finish reading this.” Life’s too short to be small, so here is to a great adventure!