Gilles Marini

French-born model and actor Gilles Marini first turned heads as a model for Giorgio Armani before making his big screen breakout in "Sex and the City: The Movie" (2008). Born Jan. 26, 1976, Marini was raised in Southern France by a Greek mother and Italian father. While serving as a firefighter with the French Army in Paris, Marini caught the eye of photographer Fred Goudon, who encouraged him to embark on a modeling career. Marini's dark good looks and ripped physique indeed led to a successful run in print and on fashion runways. When his career brought him to the United States, he stayed on in Los Angeles to break into acting - first landing a series of high profile television commercials before building up a resume with bit acting parts. He appeared in soaps "Passions" (NBC, 1999-2007) and "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS, 1987- ) and banked on his exotic looks to play sophisticated and alluring supporting roles on "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 2006-10) and "Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC, 2007-09).

Marini's role as a French pirate in "Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End" (2007) gave his career a boost, but it was his memorable appearance in the big screen adaptation of "Sex and the City" (HBO, 1998-2004) in 2008 that catapulted him into the spotlight. For his brief turn as an object of Samantha's desire (who is eventually seen full-frontal nude), Marini earned legions of female fans. The overnight sensation fielded an increased number of acting offers, making his next dashing appearance in the French adventure TV series "Tellement Vrai" and appearing as a fully-clothed contestant on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ) the following year.