JOSEPH GORDON LEVITT
AGE 27

BROKE OUT IN... NBC's 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001), as an adult alien stuck in the body of a human teen.

WHY HIM Using the tried-and-true ''go indie'' method for career revitalization, Gordon-Levitt shed his goofy image with parts in daring, moody dramas like Mysterious Skin (2004) and Brick (2005).

WHAT'S NEXT Like fellow 30-Under-30 pick Channing Tatum, Gordon-Levitt has parts in both next month's Stop Loss (March 28) and G.I. Joe (summer 2009).