His Current Gig: Precocious scientist Topher Brink in Joss Whedon’s new show Dollhouse. The show follows “actives,” like Echo (Eliza Dushku), who have had their lives wiped clean only to have their own memories and personalities replaced as part of a highly illegal operation. Topher is one of the programmers who help the wealthy and powerful prep these “dolls” for service, whether it be as assassins, lovers or corporate negotiators.
You Know This Face … because he’s worked alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko, Colin Hanks in Orange County and Nicholas Cage in Matchstick Men. He’s even had a few gigs on television, including spots on Frasier, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Private Practice and Welcome to the Captain.
Why So Fresh? Not only is he guaranteed sci-fi stardom thanks to Whedon (who has followings for his last three shows Buffy, Angel and Firefly), he has two new movies on the horizon: Shades of Ray, about a young man confused about his heritage; and Don’t Fade Away, about a kid who moves to the big city to find his fortune — only to fall from grace.
In His Own Words … “Whether [Topher’s] ultimately good or bad remains to be seen,” he tells BuddyTV. “But certainly he loves his job, and that says volumes about who he is. Because of him people are used and abused. Some die … But he sees it as an artistic, creative process. When he builds these personalities, I like to look at it like he’s building a brain.”
LAST WEEK’S FRESH FACE: Keshia Knight Pulliam
