Todd Louiso

Born: 1970
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio

Born to a dancer and choreographer father and a singer/producer mother, Todd was immersed in the entertainment industry from a young age.

From 1979-88 he attended Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts, landing roles in the syndicated Young People's Specials educational programmes That Funny Fat Kid and Narc.

He attended Tisch School of the Arts New York University, majoring in film, and graduating in 1992.

Later, Todd worked as an intern in the film production unit of Saturday Night Live.

He made his feature acting debut in 1990 with a small role in the drama remake of Stella and had a similarly minor part in 1991's Billy Bathgate.

Working on the latter, Todd established a friendship with screenwriter Tom Stoppard that led to his adaptation of Stoppard's play, The Fifteen Minute Hamlet, into a short film which he directed, produced and starred in.

The film met with praise from critics and audiences at the Sundance Film Festival.

A recurring role on Chicago Hope followed in 1998, and the popular TV drama introduced the actor to a larger audience.