Justin Chatwin

Born: October 31 1982

Where: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

The actor attracted international attention as Tom Cruise's truculent son in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster adaptation of War of the Worlds.

The son of an engineer father and artist mother, he fell into acting by accident aged 18 when a friend dared him to join him in an audition.

His new career choice resulted in quitting a degree course in commerce at the University of British Columbia.

Chatwin made his TV debut in 2001 and made his feature debut the same year with a walk-on role in the film Josie and the Pussycats.

Television work followed, including a starring role in the hit American mini-series Traffic, directed by Stephen Hopkins.

In 2004, he starred alongside Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke in the thriller Taking Lives.

The misfiring children's film SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 was a poor career move but Chatwin was back on track as Robbie Ferrier in War of the Worlds.