James Kyson Lee

Although this character actor was born in Korea, he came to prominence as a Japanese everyman with a superpowered pal on the sci-fi smash Heroes. Raised in the U.S. from age 10, Lee began studying music, dance and improvisation while attending the New England Institute of the Arts. In 2001, he reportedly sold his car and bought a one-way ticket to Hollywood, intending to pursue his showbiz dreams. Initially he performed live, appearing in West Coast productions such as Hair and playing piano and singing at local bars. But soon his easygoing attitude and average-Joe looks were tapped for a series of commercials (Red Robin, Hyundai, Butterfinger) and guest appearances. In fact, he landed his first small-screen gig on a 2003 episode of JAG at his first-ever TV audition. Within three years he had built up quite a résumé, including spots on The West Wing and Alias. Heroes, however, took his career to a super new level.