Actors Taye Diggs, Dax Shepard and Cuba Gooding Jr. are all celebrating their birthdays today, January 2.
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Theater, film and television actor Taye Diggs turns 44 today. In 1996, Diggs played the role of the nasty landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's theater production Rent. He went on to appear in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs transitioned to television with a role on the soap opera Guiding Light.
In 1998, Diggs made his film debut in How Stella Got Her Groove Back alongside Angela Bassett. He went on to star in the films Go, The Wood, The Best Man, The House on Haunted Hill and Best Man Holiday. He also appeared on TV's America's Next Top Model and Ally Mcbeal.
Diggs reprised the role of Benny for the 2005 Rent film. In 2002, he starred in the film adaptation of Chicago and also played opposite Christian Bale in the sci-fi thriller Equilibrium. Diggs co-starred in the Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice. Since the summer of 2014 Taye Diggs is starring in serial crime drama Murder in the First with Kathleen Robertson.
Diggs has a son with actress Idina Menzel, but the two have separated after 10 years of marriage.
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Actor, comedian, writer and director Dax Shepard turns 40 today. Shepard moved to Los Angeles in 1996 where he joined The Groundlings improv troupe. Shepard became known from his work in Punk'd with Ashton Kutcher. In 2004, Shepard starred in the comedy Without a Paddle, alongside Seth Green and Matthew Lillard. In 2006, he appeared with Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson in the comedy Employee of the Month
Shepard had a main role in the 2008 comedy Baby Mama, starring opposite Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. He also had a supporting role in the 2010 romantic comedy film When in Rome. Shepard wrote, produced, co-directed and starred in the 2012 low-budget film Hit and Run alongside Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper.
Shepard had a supporting role in the 2014 film The Judge. Since 2010, Shepard has been part of the main cast of the NBC drama Parenthood.
Shepard is married to actress Kristen Bell. They have two daughters, Lincoln Bell Shepard and Delta Bell Shepard.
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Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. turns 47 today. Gooding's first job was as a break-dancer performing with singer Lionel Richie at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He later landed guest starring roles on shows like Hill Street Blues, Amen and MacGyver. He also had a tiny part in the popular comedy Coming to America.
Gooding's first major role was in John Singleton's crime drama Boyz n the Hood in 1991, which was considered a critical hit and now a classic. After this success, Gooding had many supporting roles in major films such as A Few Good Men, Judgment Night, Lightning Jack and Outbreak.
In 1996, Gooding starred in the blockbuster dramatic sports comedy Jerry Maguire. The role earned Gooding an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Gooding went on to appear in numerous films including As Good as It Gets, Men of Honor, Rat Race, Snow Dogs, Radio, American Gangster and The Butler. Gooding will next appear as Fred Gray in the acclaimed historical drama Selma