That '70s Show Eric

Background:

"I never cry, like ever. Even at 'Finding Nemo.' But I'm going to just lose it." Topher Grace (on the approaching seventh and final season of Fox's That '70s Show).

Young actor Topher Grace was hurled toward the spotlight after portraying the lead role of typical high school student Eric Forman on the FOX teen comedy sitcom That '70s Show. He later stepped into motion pictures and received critical acclaim for playing cocky prep student Seth Abrahms in Steven Soderbergh's Oscar winning movie Traffic (2000, starring Michael Douglas). More recently, he starred as Kate Bosworth's longtime best friend, Pete Monash, in Robert Luketic's romantic comedy Win a Date with Tad Hamilton (2004, opposite Josh Duhamel).

Topher Grace, who stands at 5' 11" inches tall, was reported to have briefly dated actress Anne Hathaway. Rumors also spread that the rising actor had a crush on French actress Audrey Tautou.

Being Topher

Childhood and Family:

In New York City, New York, Christopher Grace was born on July 19, 1978, to parents John and Patricia Grace. Both he and his older sister were raised in Darien, Connecticut and attended boarding school in Massachusetts where he became class president. His friends called him "Chris," but he didn't care for the name so changed it to "Topher."

Topher began acting when he was a student and appeared in several school plays. He also started directing a "choose-your-own-adventure" style movie that starred his classmates.

After attending Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and the University of Southern California for one year, Topher left his studies to pursue his acting career. In addition, he worked on his acting at the Groundlings Improvisation School and Neighborhood Playhouse in Los Angeles.

Traffic Starter

Career:

"Some of my favorite films include Out of Sight (1998) and Schizopolis (1996). So, the thing that got me most excited about getting the part was the opportunity to work with Steven Soderbergh." Topher Grace

Topher Grace began acting in school musicals like "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat" and "The Pirates of Penzance." While playing Pseudolus in a high-school production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," he was luckily spotted by "That '70s Show" creators Bonnie and Terry Turner.

Soon Topher found himself playing the lead role of a 1970s Wisconsin teenager who lives under the authority of his parents, Eric Forman, in the teen comedy series "That '70s Show." The sitcom premiered on FOX in 1998 and became an "audiences favorite" which allowed it to thrive to the present (2005).

While working on the show, Topher made his big screen debut in Steven Soderbergh's drug, war film Traffic (2000). In the drama, which starred Benicio Del Toro and Jacob Vargas, Topher played Erika Christensen's drug addicted boyfriend Seth Abrahms. The film garnered praise at the prestigious Academy Awards. Topher also received applause for his role and was handed Screen Actors Guild and Young Hollywood awards.

"I threatened Michael Douglas! Oh man, that guy could beat me over the head with his Oscar!" Topher Grace (on working with Michael Douglas in Traffic)

In the next year, Topher reunited with filmmaker Steven Soderbergh to play a cameo role (unaccredited) in his remake of the classic crime comedy film, Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Ocean's Twelve (2004), which starred George Clooney and Brad Pitt. He also joined with Julia Roberts in Mike Newell's Mona Lisa Smile (2003), in which he played character Tommy Donegal, a Harvard grad student and Julia Stiles' fiancé.

The portrayal of Pete Monash, Kate Bosworth's long time companion and Josh Duhamel's rival, was Topher's first starring role. He portrayed the role in Robert Luketic's love triangle comedy Win a Date with Tad Hamilton (2004). He followed it up with the memorable role of F. Scott Feinstadt, Laura Linney's first love reincarnate and affair partner, in Dylan Kidd's adaptation of Helen Schulman's novel, the well-received romantic drama P.S.

More recent, Topher became Dennis Quaid's new young boss, Carter Duryea, who also has an affair with his (Quaid's character) daughter (played by Scarlett Johansson), in Paul Weitz's drama comedy In Good Company. On the small screen, he hosted the Saturday Night Live show in January of 2005. He also reportedly joined the cast of Spider-Man 3, along with original cast members Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. The highly anticipated movie, helmed by Sam Raimi, is slated for a release date of May 4, 2007. Being asked about Topher Grace's involvement in the upcoming film, Raimi confided, "Topher Grace is an extraordinarily talented actor and will be perfect for the complexities of the role we are developing."

Awards:

• Screen Actors Guild: Outsanding Performance by a Cast of a Major Theatrical Motion Picture, Traffic, 2001
• Young Hollywood: Breakthrough Performance-Male, Traffic, 2001