Chris Klein

Born: 14 March 1979
Where: Hinsdale, Illinois, USA

The actor landed his big break when he was cast as the dim sports jock in the black comedy Election.

Director Alexander Payne was approached by the youngster in a college hallway and was persuaded to give him the role opposite Reese Witherspoon's ambitious student.

He quickly followed this debut with a starring role in teen comedy American Pie, as Oz - a role he reprised for a 2001 sequel.

His rising status was further confirmed when he starred opposite Leelee Sobieski in the romance Here on Earth.

He subsequently headlined the comedy Say It Isn't So and landed the lead role in the remake of the 1975 sci-fi thriller Rollerball with Jean Reno.

In 2002, he starred alongside Mel Gibson in the Vietnam War drama We Were Soldiers only for his private life to take a nosedive.

He was arrested for drink-driving in California and his five-year relationship with Katie Holmes ended. Months later she announced her engagement to Tom Cruise.

Back on the big screen, Klein had a supporting role in the dark drama The United States of Leland with Ryan Gosling.