Michael Bergin

Dark-haired, athletic, remarkably appealing former model Michael Bergin was something of an icon of male beauty in the 1990s, landing the plum Calvin Klein underwear campaign following Mark Wahlberg's dismissal and making the most of his resulting fame by embarking on an acting career that included a 1997-99 regular role on the popular syndicated lifeguard series "Baywatch" and its follow-up "Baywatch Hawaii" (1999-2001). While working his way through school while studying marketing at UConn, Connecticut native Bergin was alerted to a modeling opportunity and headed to New York City, subsequently landing a contract with the famed Click agency, and landing assignments for style makers Valentino, Hugo Boss and Donna Karan.

A runway gig with Calvin Klein led to the model's 1994 debut in the underwear ads that similarly launched the career of Marky Mark. His impressively muscular near-naked physique loomed over Times Square, offering the young hopeful unparalleled exposure. Capitalizing on the public's familiarity with him, Bergin was cast as a bartender in two episodes of the NYC-set CBS drama "Central Park West/CPW" in 1995 and was used to greater effect with a memorable cameo in Ismail Merchant's 1996 directorial effort "The Proprietor." Bergin added to his resume with a 1998 guest role on the CBS sitcom "Cosby," but it was his 1997 debut as lifeguard Jack 'JD' Darius on the internationally popular syndicated series "Baywatch" that marked his head-first dive into acting. His good looks and alluring charm made him a perfect choice to play the likable lifesaver, and Bergin did prove to be more than a pretty face with consistently capable performances. When the series was revamped and relocated, JD and Bergin followed, debuting in "Baywatch Hawaii" in 1999. In 2000, the actor was featured in the acclaimed gay-themed big-screen release "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy," playing a closeted actor who gives Dean Cain's lecherous Cole a taste of his own medicine.