Eric Dane

After appearing in a high school production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Eric Dane decided to pursue a career in acting. He relocated to Los Angeles, where he played small roles in the television series Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married With Children, among others. In 2000, he was signed for a recurring role in Gideon's Crossing, and followed this with a two-season run in Charmed. His first notable film role was in X-Men: The Last Stand.

In 2005, Dane guested as Dr. Mark Sloane (nicknamed "McSteamy") in several episodes of the successful medical drama Grey's Anatomy. 'Positive audience reaction' to the character led to Dane's becoming a regular in the show's third season. His first appearance in the season, in which he walked out of the bathroom soaking wet and wearing only a strategically placed towel, was labelled in the US a "watercooler moment".

Eric Dane is, alas, straight but is at least married to an actress with the glorious name Rebecca Gayheart - for which we rejoice.

We also rejoice that he is prepared to get his kit off and wears a beard in Grey's Anatomy.