In the early '90s Debbie Allen spotted Dourdan while he was vacationing in Paris and subsequently gave him his first big break — a recurring role on A Different World. This striking African-American actor with dazzling green eyes quickly landed a succession of small parts in movies and big parts in short-lived TV shows before CSI turned him into a star and sex symbol. In addition to boasting model looks, Dourdan exudes keen intelligence, a combination that has endeared him to audiences.