A true New Yorker through and through, actor Michael Rapaport, the son of a radio program manager, may have moved to Los Angeles to try stand-up comedy following high school graduation (which came after a series of expulsions), but he never lost, forgot, or deserted his roots. It's embedded in his work and is a major part of his low-keyed charm and ongoing appeal. His early idols were also New Yorkers (Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, etc.). He toiled only briefly in L.A. 

Within a reasonable amount of time, Michael moved from the live comedy stage to working in front of a camera. The two developed an immediate rapport. A guest spot on 1990's TV series "China Beach" led to a quirky lead in the interracial indie Zebrahead (1992), which clinched it for him. This, in turn, led to a string of standout parts in films. A select few included playing Christian Slater's pal in True Romance (1993), an edgy collegiate-turned-skinhead in Higher Learning (1995) and a sympathetic none-too-bright boxer in Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite (1995), all enabling him to build up a higher profile. In later years he managed to show his ease at offbeat comedy, demonstrating a kid-like, goofy charm as Lisa Kudrow's cop boyfriend for a few episodes on "Friends," and as teacher Danny Hanson on "Boston Public." Lately he has formed his own production company, Release Entertainment, in search of that one big breakout role that could nab top stardom for him. In 2000, Michael's writer/girlfriend Nicole Beattie bore him a son. They married that same year.

Credit: imdb.com