Born Aug. 16, 1963, in Concord, Mass., Steve Carell found a home early in his career with Chicago's Second City improv troupe, where he would meet future collaborator Stephen Colbert.

After appearing in several sitcoms, including the short-lived Julia Louis-Dreyfus vehicle "Watching Ellie," Carell landed on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," where he quickly acquired a loyal following. Working as an on-air "reporter," he displayed his brilliant comedic timing in segments such as "Even Stev/phen," going head to head with Colbert.

The new millennium found Carell landing roles in high-profile film comedies, including Bruce Almighty (2003); his cinematic breakthrough came playing the title character in 2005's The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Returning to television with the U.S. version of the British hit "The Office," Carell has earned multiple Emmy nods and a 2006 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy.