Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
When Tony Hawk started skateboarding, he never dreamed that the sport would grow to what it is today — or that his name would become synonymous with skateboarding to so many people around the world. “I just always loved it and still have such a passion for it,” says the laid-back 42-year-old champ.
Many people know that Natalie Coughlin is a world champion swimmer. She has won 11 Olympic medals, three of them gold, and made history in the 2008 Summer Olympics when she became the first American female athlete in Olympic history to win six medals in one Olympics.
Best known for his role as coroner Dr. Albert Robbins on CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” actor Robert David Hall is also a musician. Hall’s current CD, “Things They Don’t Teach You in School,” showcases his bluegrass and rockabilly sensibilities. Hall — who had to have both his legs amputated after a car accident — has a wicked sense of humor and delights in the fact that Dr. Robbins was designated as being one of the Top 5 Cool Nerds on television.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, to an African-American father and a Korean mother, Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Hines Ward was raised in Atlanta by his mother after his parents divorced. Because he looked “different,” it was challenging to make friends. But football became the great equalizer and suddenly no one cared what color the young phenom was. Now 35, Ward is the first Korean-American to have won the Super Bowl MVP Award. He’s hoping that his agility on the gridiron carries over to the ballroom. Ward is one of the contestants competing on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” this season.
Matt Czuchry played the ideal boyfriend on shows such as “Friday Night Lights” and “The Gilmore Girls.” But it’s his role as conflicted attorney Cary Agos on the critically acclaimed series “The Good Wife” that is a showcase for the boyishly handsome actor, who looks much younger than his 33 years. Czuchry currently splits his time between both coasts.
On NBC’s conspiracy-laden series “The Event,” Lisa Vidal plays first lady Christina Martinez. “It’s definitely a fun role and I have a lot of respect for her,” the 45-year-old actress says of her character. “She is a strong woman who deals with complicated issues much better than I ever could!”
“Because I have a lot of property and horses, I am always moving something heavy and rarely sitting down,” says Linda Eder, who’s best known for her work on Broadway in “Jekyll & Hyde.” “I also like to do home remodeling, which is hard work. I’m always overdoing it. So when I go on vacation I like to really go on vacation — meaning I like to rest, without too many distractions. I like to lie in the sun by the ocean, eat great food and relax.”
Carolyn Hennesy is all over the place these days. She plays uber-cougar Barb on ABC’s “Cougar Town” and eats up the scenery as a high-powered attorney on that same network’s daytime drama “General Hospital.” Hennesy, 48, also is an author who writes the “Pandora’s Mythic Misadventures” series for tweens. Her latest book, “Pandora Gets Angry” (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, $14.99), hit stores earlier this month. In April, she’ll release another book called “The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli” (Hyperion, $22.99), which is based on some “GH” characters. In her spare time, the Burbank, Calif., resident enjoys partaking in the art of trapeze.
Ballroom dancer Anna Trebunskaya is best known for her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars.” Last year, she guided Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek to a second-place finish. The Russian dancer immigrated to the United States when she was 17. Now 30, Trebunskaya resides in Hermosa Beach, Calif., with her husband and fellow “DWTS” pro, Jonathan Roberts.
Troy Polamalu will be easy to spot when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 6. The Steelers’ 29-year-old strong safety will be the one with the long mane of thick, wavy black hair cascading out of his helmet. He’s the only player in NFL history to have his hair insured by Lloyd’s of London (Head & Shoulders shampoo took out a $1 million policy for their spokesman).