Teck Holmes

Appealing, charismatic and energetic African-American performer Teck Holmes had done some issue-based community access television before he was introduced into the living rooms of America via "The Real World: Hawaii" (MTV, 1999), the groundbreaking reality show's eighth outing. Stripping naked and hitting on his roommates within the first hours of filming, Teck (as he was known on the show) made quite an effective first impression. Libidinous and loudmouthed, he became one of the more likable cast members of that or any season thanks to the fact that producers showcased his refreshing brand of straight-shooting exuberance in marked contrast to the self-involved and manipulative light in which many of his roommates were portrayed.

Hot on the heels of his "Real World" fame, MTV nabbed the often bleached-blonde Holmes to host their daily interactive hip-hop program "Direct Effect" when it debuted in 2000. He subsequently hosted the album release special "DFX Presents: Jay-Z's Roller Ball" (MTV, 2000). A bona fide on-air personality, Holmes was featured alongside other MTV celebrities on an episode of "The Hughleys" and also appeared on "The Parkers" (both UPN, 2001). In 2000, Holmes endeavored to make the leap from personality to actor while still working within the safe confines of MTV by taking a supporting role in the original TV-movie romance "Love Song," starring R&B songstress Monica. The film was well-received by audiences, if not critics. Holmes later moved on to the big screen with a larger supporting role as a party buddy of the titular perennial student in the college-set comedy "National Lampoon's Van Wilder" (2002).