BEN FOSTER
AGE 27

BROKE OUT IN... a recurring role on HBO's Six Feet Under, playing Russell, the sexually ambiguous boyfriend to Claire Fisher (Lauren Ambrose).

WHY HIM Because he's simply arresting at playing creep-o characters — ranging from a psychopathic drug dealer in Alpha Dog and a nutcase in 30 Days of Night to a stunning performance as Russell Crowe's cold-blooded sidekick in last year's 3:10 to Yuma.

WHAT'S NEXT Foster plays the cunning brother to Ginnifer Goodwin in dysfunctional family drama and Sundance movie Birds of America.