Adrian Pasdar

A talented actor with dark good looks, Adrian Pasdar bucked convention with his maverick approach to career-building. Debuting as a handsome fighter pilot in "Top Gun" (1986), Pasdar earned his stripes as a 1980s cult heartthrob with roles in the teen sci-fi adventure "Solarbabies" (1986) and Kathryn Bigelow's classic vampire Western "Near Dark" (1987). Unlike many of his more ambitious contemporaries, Pasdar proved willing to tackle unusual roles - such as a transvestite banker in the British indie comedy "Just Like a Woman" (1992) - and to take breaks from Hollywood, including a recuperative stint as a waiter/cashier at a New York diner. A small but juicy part in "Carlito's Way" (1993) served as a reminder of Pasdar's potential, and he wowed critics as the titular, amoral businessman on the groundbreaking dark dramedy "Profit" (Fox, 1995-96). Pasdar's star hummed along quietly as he married alpha Dixie Chick Natalie Maines, starred on the cult fave "Mysterious Ways" (NBC, 2000: PAX-TV, 2000-02) and filmed guest spots on "Judging Amy" (CBS, 1999-2005) and "Desperate Housewives" (ABC, 2004-2012). His profile soared, however, with a leading role on the megahit "Heroes" (NBC, 2006-2010) where he played Nathan Petrelli, a politician with the secret ability to fly, following by a leading role on teen drama "The Lying Game (ABC Family 2011-13) and recurring roles as military man Glenn Talbot on "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" (ABC 2013- ) and in Carlton Cuse's science fiction drama "Colony" (USA 2016- ). Pasdar's surprising, quirky career choices hinted at the intelligent, offbeat persona behind the publicity - one that many fans continued to look forward to seeing in the most unexpected of places.