Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton and actor Pooch Hall are celebrating their birthdays today, February 8.

Bethany Hamilton, 25

Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton turns 25 today. On the morning of October 31, 2003, Hamilton was attacked by a shark while surfing. The 14-foot tiger shark severed her left arm, just below the shoulder. She was rushed to the hospital where she was found to have lost over 60 percent of her blood. Luckily, Hamilton survived and the tiger shark was later caught and killed.

Hamilton returned to surfing three weeks after the incident. Hamilton has a custom made surf board with a handle for her right arm, making it easier to paddle. Hamilton's story was told through the film Soul Surfer starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid.

In 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete and the Courage Teen Choice Award. In August 2009, she was a contestant on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and in May 2010, she appeared in an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She also starred as herself in the 2014 film Dolphin Tale 2.

In 2009, Hamilton came in 3rd place in the Rio Surf International in Rio de Janeiro and 2nd place in the Australian Billabong ASP World Junior Championship. In 2014, she came 1st in the 2014 Surf ’n’ Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro.

Hamilton is married to youth minister Adam Dirks. They came in third place on The Amazing Race 25.


image courtesy of Peter West/ACE.INFphoto.com

Pooch Hall, 38

Model, television and film actor Pooch Hall turns 38 today. Hall started his career modeling and doing commercials. Hall made his acting debut in 2001. He gained fame after playing Derwin Davis on the sports drama series The Game.

In 2009, Hall had a recurring role as Ryan on the CBS sitcom Accidentally on Purpose, replacing Cory Hardrict. Hall made television appearances on Without a Trace, Girlfriends, Suits, Royal Pains and Necessary Roughness.

Hall also appeared in the films Blue Hill Avenue, Hood of Horror, Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming and Jumping the Broom.

Hall currently plays Daryll Donovan on the Showtime series Ray Donovan alongside Liev Schreiber, Paula Malcomson and Jon Voight.


image courtesy of INFphoto.com