Michael Beach

A versatile, classically-trained performer, actor Michael Beach came to prominence as the charismatically unfaithful husband in Terry McMillan's adapted novel, "Waiting to Exhale" (1995), and on the hit medical drama, "ER" (NBC, 1994-2009), playing a man who infects his ex-wife (Gloria Reuben) with HIV. Despite playing such abhorrent characters for much of his career, Beach was finally able to avoid being typecast as the betraying husband. Later in his career, in fact, Beach had established himself in lighter roles, playing men of conscience in the upbeat feature, "Soul Food" (1997), and on the long-running NBC drama "Third Watch" (1999-2005), allowing Beach to project his innate warmth and steadiness in parts more befitting the genial actor.