Matthew Settle
Though he had been performing onscreen for some time, actor Matthew Settle emerged onto the scene in 2007 when he joined the cast of "Gossip Girl" (The CW, 2007-13), one of the most popular teen shows of the decade. An ex-rocker-turned-art gallery owner, Humphrey's character radiated a smoldering cool that audiences gobbled up, turning journeyman actor Settle into an overnight sensation. But like many overnight sensations, Settle had spent years climbing the ladder. After a failed music career in New York City, Settle was discovered in the mid-1990s by Robert De Niro's lawyer and noted talent scout, Jay Julien. After training extensively in New York, he appeared in minor roles on television and in films like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1998). Following his breakthrough role as a member of the 101st Airborne division in the acclaimed World War II miniseries, "A Band of Brothers" (HBO, 2001), he continued making notable appearances in television series and movies until landing his career-making turn on "Gossip Girl" and finally becoming a household name.