Ashton Kutcher Wallpapers and Photos

Christopher Ashton Kutcher (born February 7, 1978) is an American actor and producer best known for playing Michael Kelso in the television series That ’70s Show and for being the creator, executive producer, and host of the MTV celebrity prank show Punk’d.

He is also well known for his roles in films such as Dude, Where’s My Car?, Just Married, The Butterfly Effect , and The Guardian. He is currently married to actress Demi Moore.

Kutcher was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of factory workers Diane and Larry Kutcher. He has an older sister, Tausha, and a fraternal twin, Michael, who has cerebral palsy.

Michael had an emergency heart transplant at the age of thirteen that was necessitated by cardiomyopathy, a virus-induced illness that weakened and perforated his heart muscle.

Kutcher’s childhood was that of a rugged, outdoorsy Midwesterner, and he had various odd jobs, including carpentry, hay-baling and livestock castration.

Kutcher attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for about a year when his family moved to Tiffin, Iowa where he attended the Clear Creek-Amana High School. In addition to being a student, he played on the football team as wide receiver and appeared in school plays. Meanwhile, his home life was stressful. He has stated that “I didn’t want to come home and find more bad news about my brother” and “kept myself so busy that I didn’t allow myself to feel.”

Kutcher stated that as a teen, he contemplated committing suicide. At thirteen, he attempted to jump from a hospital balcony, but his father intervened at the last minute. At around this time, his parents divorced. During his senior year, he broke into the high school at night with his cousin in an attempt to steal money; he was caught leaving the scene.

Kutcher was convicted of third-degree burglary and sentenced to three years’ probation and 180 hours of community service. Kutcher stated that though the experience “straightened him out,” he lost his girlfriend and anticipated college scholarships, and he was ostracized at school and in his community.

Kutcher attended the University of Iowa, where he majored in biochemical engineering (but did not complete), motivated by the desire to find a cure for his brother’s heart ailment.

At the University of Iowa, Kutcher was kicked out of his apartment for being too “noisy” and “wild.” Kutcher stated, “I thought I knew everything but I didn’t have a clue. I was smoking a lot of weed and partying, and I woke up many mornings not knowing what I had done the night before. I played way too hard. I am amazed I am not dead.”

He was also a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. To make ends meet, Kutcher worked as a floor sweeper for a General Mills plant, and sometimes donated blood for money. Despite his studies, he secretly yearned to be an actor, and once packed up his belongings and headed (on foot) for the airport. Quickly exhausted, and without any plan, he called his mom, and she came and picked him up.

During his time at the University he was approached by a talent scout at a bar called The Airliner in Iowa City, Iowa, he was recruited to enter the “Fresh Faces of Iowa” modeling competition, and after placing first he won a trip to New York City to the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Convention. After his stay in New York City Ashton returned home to Cedar Rapids, Iowa before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.

After participating as a modelling contestant in an IMTA competition (losing to Josh Duhamel) in 1997, Kutcher signed with the Next modeling agency in New York, appeared in ads for Calvin Klein, modeled in Paris and Milan, and appeared in a Pizza Hut commercial.

After some success in modeling, Kutcher moved to Los Angeles and, after his first audition, was cast as Michael Kelso in the television series That ’70s Show, which debuted in 1998 and ended in 2006.

Kutcher was cast in a series of film roles; although he auditioned but was not cast for the role of Danny Walker in Pearl Harbor (2001), he starred in several comedy films that performed well at the box office, including Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000), Just Married (2003), and Guess Who (2005).

In addition, he appeared in the family film Cheaper By The Dozen, playing a self-obsessed actor. His 2004 film The Butterfly Effect was an unusually dramatic role for Kutcher, playing a conflicted young man who fell in love with a girl called Kayleigh; the film received very mixed reviews, but was a box-office success.

In 2003, Kutcher produced and starred in his own series on MTV’s Punk’d. The series involves various hidden camera tricks performed on celebrities. Kutcher is also an executive producer of the reality television show Beauty and the Geek, which debuted in 2005, and will produce a reality show based around the rap group Three 6 Mafia, as well as another reality series entitled The Real Wedding Crashers. Kutcher’s most recent film role is in The Guardian, a film which opened on September 29, 2006.

The film co-stars Kevin Costner and Kutcher as United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers. The studio behind the film, Touchstone Pictures, initially hesitated in casting Kutcher in an action film because of his public image as a comic actor; Kutcher underwent eight months of physical training and quit smoking to prepare for the role.

Also, in order to be there for filming, Ashton was forced not to renew his contract for the eighth and final season of That 70s Show, though he did appear in the first four episodes of it (credited as a special-guest star) and returned for the show’s series finale.

Kutcher also voiced a leading character in the animated film Open Season, which opened on the same date as The Guardian. Kutcher is the first of two That 70s Show cast members to host a TV show on MTV (Punk’d), followed by best friend and co-star Wilmer Valderrama. (Yo Momma)

Kutcher has dated actresses January Jones (from 1998 to 2001), Ashley Scott (from 2001 to 2002), Monet Mazur (2002), and Brittany Murphy (from 2002 to 2003). Following his break-up with Murphy in early 2003, Kutcher began dating Demi Moore; reports in the media frequently commented on the fifteen-year age difference between the two.

Moore and Kutcher married on September 24, 2005 in a private ceremony conducted by a rabbi of the Kabbalah Centre; the wedding was attended by about 100 close friends and family of the couple, including Bruce Willis, Moore’s ex-husband. Kutcher has described the marriage as an “illogical decision, but one I couldn’t help making”. He also says, “Bruce and I have a friendship of our own.”

Both Kutcher and Moore are followers of the Kabbalah Centre, a controversial California-based organization which alleges that it teaches Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism.

As part of his involvement in the religion, Kutcher has toured Israel with Demi Moore, as well as taken time off from filming to observe traditional Jewish High Holy Days, and celebrated the Jewish holiday Purim. Kutcher also usually wears the traditional Kabbalah Red string.

Kutcher is best friends with his former That ’70s Show co-stars Danny Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama, as well as actor Seann William Scott whom he co-starred with in Dude, Where’s My Car. Kutcher has also invested in an Italian restaurant named Dolce (other owners include Masterson and Valderrama) and a Japanese-themed restaurant named Geisha House located in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Kutcher is a big Chicago Bears supporter.

Links:

• Ashton Kutcher Website: http://www.westlord.com/ashton-kutcher/
• Demi Moore Website: http://www.westlord.com/demi-moore/

Andy Garcia Biography and Photos

Andy Garcia (born April 12, 1956) is an Academy Award-nominated Cuban-born American actor. He became known in the 1990s, having appeared in several successful Hollywood films, including The Godfather: Part III and When a Man Loves a Woman. More recently, he has starred in Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen.

Garcia was born Andrés Arturo García y Menéndez in Bejucal, Provincia de la Havana. His mother, Amelie Menéndez, was an English teacher, and his father, René García Núñez, was an attorney in Cuba and later a businessman in the United States.

He has an older brother, Rene. When Garcia was five years old, the family moved to Miami, Florida after the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. Over a period of several years, however, they built up a million-dollar perfume company. García was raised as a Catholic and attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he played on the basketball team. During his last year in high school, however, he became ill with hepatitis, which convinced him to pursue a career in acting.

García began acting at Florida International University, but soon went to Hollywood. He started to perform in very short roles, working part-time as waiter and in a warehouse. His chance arose when he was offered a role as a gang member in the first episode of the popular TV series Hill Street Blues.

Director Brian de Palma liked his performance in the 1986 movie 8 Million Ways to Die and engaged him the following year for The Untouchables, which made Garcia a popular Hollywood actor. In 1989, Francis Ford Coppola was casting The Godfather Part III.

The character Vincent Corleone, the illegitimate son of Sonny Corleone, was an exceptional part which many actors wanted. Garcia was not the only one of the few actors capable of carrying the part, but he also bore a resemblance to Robert De Niro, who played the role of young Vito Corleone, Vincent’s grandfather, in The Godfather Part II.

The role thus went to Garcia, who earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his performance and became an internationally acclaimed star.

In the following years, García has performed in a wide variety of films. He has appeared also in several TV films. While not in the same vein of movie stars dominating the box office, Garcia has remained equally strong in both leading and supporting roles.

One of his more well-known films was the 2001 remake of Ocean’s Eleven, in which he played Terry Benedict, the ruthless Las Vegas mogul who just happens to be seeing the estranged wife (Julia Roberts) of George Clooney’s character.

García reprised the role in the 2004 sequel, although many noted that the part was significantly smaller than the one he played in the first film. He has finished and released The Lost City which he co-wrote, directs, and stars in, alongside Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray.

Upon its release, The Lost City sparked controversy among many in Latin America due to its negative portrayal of the Cuban Revolution, and Che Guevara in particular, who have substantial supporters in the early 21st century Latin America.

In 1982, Garcia married María Victoria Lorido. He is the father of three daughters and one son, his namesake, born in 2002. The García family lives in Los Angeles and Miami.

Garcia and his good friend Christian Tellez saved a family of four during a boating accident they witnessed off the coast of Miami Beach in 1986. García is a fervent critic of the Cuban government.

He was also, along with Gloria Estefan, a strong advocate of Elian Gonzalez staying in the United States rather than returning to be with his father in Cuba in early 2000. He also appeared as a waiter in Gloria Estefan’s video for the song “When I see your smile”.

Garcia’s niece Jackie was the longtime girlfriend of the late Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who was shot by intruders in their Miami-area home on November 26, 2007 and who died from his wounds on November 27, 2007. The two were home with their 18-month old daughter Jackie when the incident took place. Garcia attended Taylor’s funeral, and released a statement to the Miami Herald calling Taylor a hero for saving the life of his niece and her child.

• Andy Garcia Website: http://www.westlord.com/andy-garcia/

Steve Harvey Biography

Broderick Steven “Steve” Harvey (born January 17, 1957 in Welch, West Virginia) is an American comedian, actor, entertainer, and radio personality. He later moved to Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Glenville High School in 1974.

Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid 1980s, eventually leading to a long stint as host of It’s Showtime at the Apollo, succeeding his colleague Mark Curry in that role. His success as a stand-up comedian led to The WB network giving him his own show, The Steve Harvey Show, which ran from 1996 to 2002. While wildly popular in the African-American community (the show won multiple NAACP Image Awards), the show never achieved critical acclaim outside of the African-American community, a matter about which Harvey has often complained.

In 1997, Harvey continued his work in stand-up comedy, touring as one of the Kings of Comedy, along with Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac. The comedy act would later be put together into a film by Spike Lee called The Original Kings of Comedy.

Following the end of his runs on Showtime at the Apollo and The Steve Harvey Show, Harvey continued acting in some minor roles, but has become a major figure in many African-American functions and is a staple on BET. In addition, he has released an audio CD of up-and-coming hip hop and R&B artists on a record label he founded, and has authored a book, Steve Harvey’s Big Time.

That title was also used as the name of Harvey’s comedy and variety television show (later renamed Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge) which aired on The WB network from 2003 until 2005.

DVD sales of The Original Kings of Comedy and Don’t Trip, He Ain’t Through With Me Yet have increased Steve Harvey’s brand recognition among African Americans. During the past two years, Harvey has launched the popular Steve Harvey clothing line which features the line of dress wear which has made him popular with the 40+ crowd.

On October 7th, 2004 Marshall Mathers, better known as rapper Eminem released the track “Just Lose It”, with some lyrics remarking humorously on Michael Jackson’s career and historically infamous legal troubles. Steve Harvey was quick to respond against these lyrics saying, “Eminem has lost his ghetto pass. We want the pass back.”

Harvey, initially expecting a positive response from this off the cuff remark was quickly criticized by many for his support of the controversial legal stance of the artist Michael Jackson, as well as his remarks about Eminem. “Steve Harvey, who was born in a town in West Virginia of less than 1,500 people is revoking someone’s ghetto pass? Being born black don’t mean you were born in the ghetto.” (DeShaun Dupree Holton, aka rapper Proof from D12)

Harvey was previously married to Mary Shackelford. They divorced after 10 years of marriage in December 2005. The couple have one son together, named Wynton. Harvey also has twin daughters and a son from his first marriage. He remarried for the third time on June 25, 2007 in Maui to Marjorie Bridges, a longtime friend. Harvey is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Harvey is also a Born Again Christian.

Harvey also hosted his own radio morning radio show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, syndicated under Radio One, Inc. broadcasting company, from September 2000 until May 2005. The Los Angeles-based show, although fairly successful in the L.A. market itself, was not as successful in its national syndication efforts as either Harvey or Radio One had hoped it would be. Ultimately, the show aired only in L.A. on KKBT, and in Dallas on KBFB, with Harvey splitting his time between the Dallas and L.A. studios. As a result, Harvey and Radio One decided to part ways shortly before his contract expired.

In September 2005, Harvey signed a joint syndication deal with Premiere Radio Networks and Inner City Broadcasting Corporation for a new incarnation of “The Steve Harvey Morning Show”; the show is based out of WBLS in New York. Steve is also a strong advocate of the 50 milion pound weight loss with Dr.Ian Smith.

Eddie Murphy Photos and Biography

 Edward “Eddie” Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and comedian. Murphy ranks as the number #1 grossing film star in history, having a total of 33 films to date, his films grossing over $3.4 billion in the US alone, averaging $104 million per film.

He was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984, and has worked as a stand-up comedian. He has also enjoyed a minor singing career.

Murphy has received Golden Globe nominations for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performances in Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, and The Nutty Professor. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of fictitious soul singer James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls, and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same role.

Murphy’s work as a voice actor includes Thurgood Stubbs in The PJs, Donkey in the Shrek series and the dragon Mushu in Disney’s Mulan. In some of his films, he plays multiple roles in addition to his main character, which he calls a tribute to one of his idols Peter Sellers (who is famous for playing multiple roles in one film), films which Murphy has played multiple roles include Coming to America, the Nutty Professor films, where he played much of the Klumps clan, and 2007’s Norbit.

Another trademark of Murphy is his deep, infectious, and considerably goofy laugh. One other trademark of his is his catchphrase “how you doin’?”, which is similar to Will Smith’s “Aw hell no!” or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “I’ll be back!”

Murphy is also a singer and musician, having frequently provided background vocals to songs released by the The Bus Boys. As a solo artist, Murphy had two hit singles, “Party All the Time” (which was produced by Rick James) and “Put Your Mouth on Me” in the 1980s. “Party All the Time” was featured on Murphy’s 1985 debut album How Could It Be, which also included a minor follow-up R&B hit in the title track, a duet with vocalist Crystal Blake. T

his track was written by Rusty Hamilton and was produced by Stevie Wonder’s cousin Aquil Fudge after a brief falling out and bet with Rick James. In 2004, VH-1 and Blender magazine voted “Party All the Time” number seven among the “50 Worst Songs of All-Time.” Sharam used a sample of Murphy’s “Party All The Time” for the UK #8 hit “PATT (Party All The Time)” in 2006.

Murphy recorded the album Love’s Alright in the early 1990s. He performed in a video of the single “Whatzupwitu”, featuring Michael Jackson. In 1999, the “Whatzupwitu” video, which featured Murphy and Jackson in a technicolor-like dream world, was voted as number three among the 25 worst music videos in the MTV era. He also recorded a duet with Shabba Ranks called “I Was a King”, which was similarly panned. In 1992, Murphy also appeared in Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” video alongside Magic Johnson and Iman.

Although uncredited, Murphy provided vocal work on SNL castmate Joe Piscopo’s comedy single, “The Honeymooners Rap.” Piscopo impersonated Jackie Gleason on the single, while Murphy provided an imitation of Art Carney.

In Coming to America, Murphy imitated Jackie Wilson when he sang “To Be Loved,” but because the character he was playing had a thick accent, he had to sing it in character. In later years, Murphy performed several songs in the Shrek film franchise. In the first film, he performed a version of “I’m a Believer” in the film’s final scene; in Shrek 2 he performed Ricky Martin’s hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca” along with co-star Antonio Banderas.

From 1989 until the mid-1990s, box office results for Murphy’s films dropped, particularly with Beverly Hills Cop III (a movie Murphy would ultimately denounce during an appearance on Inside the Actors Studio), and Vampire in Brooklyn, although he did find success with The Distinguished Gentleman, Boomerang and Another 48 Hrs.. His directorial debut, Harlem Nights, is widely seen as a vanity project and the first step in Murphy’s career slump. Harlem Nights featured Murphy (who had previously been known only as a performer) as director, producer, star, and co-writer, as well as supporting roles for Murphy’s comic idols Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor.

During this period Murphy was also criticized by filmmaker Spike Lee for not using his show business stature to help black actors break into film, despite Murphy giving several future stars roles in his films, for example Damon Wayans in Beverly Hills Cop, Halle Berry and Martin Lawrence in Boomerang, Samuel L. Jackson and Cuba Gooding Jr in Coming to America and Raw, Dave Chappelle in The Nutty Professor and Chris Rock who was in Beverly Hills Cop II and Boomerang. David Spade poked fun at Murphy’s career slump on his Hollywood Minute segment on Saturday Night Live. With an image of Murphy on screen, Spade said “Look children, a falling star…make a wish!”

Although Murphy has enjoyed commercial success since Saturday Night Live, he has never attended cast reunions, anniversary specials, or participated in the making of the Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live retrospective book by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller (2002).

Some believe Murphy feels that SNL betrayed him with Spade’s comments (although he hadn’t attended the 15th Anniversary special before the comments were made). Others believe Murphy’s lack of allegiance to producer Lorne Michaels was responsible, since Murphy was brought on the show by executive producer Jean Doumanian after Michaels had left, and was one of the few cast members retained by Dick Ebersol when she was replaced.

Murphy’s box office results began to recover in 1996, starting with The Nutty Professor. He followed with a series of very successful family-friendly movies like Mulan, Dr. Dolittle and its sequel, the Shrek series, Daddy Day Care, and The Haunted Mansion, along with Nutty Professor II, which some attribute to his real-life role as a family man. However, most of his movies meant for more adult audiences performed moderately- Metro, I Spy, and Showtime all ended to gross less than $40 million domestically, Holy Man performed badly grossing less than $13 million, and The Adventures of Pluto Nash is on record as one of the biggest theatrical money-losers of all time, grossing just $7 million worldwide on a reported $110 million budget. A notable exception to this run of poorly received adult -themed films was the Frank Oz comedy Bowfinger, also starring Steve Martin. A biting satire on the Hollywood movie industry, Bowfinger garnered generally positive critical reviews, and grossed a respectable $66 million at the US box office.

But his fortunes turned around in 2006/2007 with the motion picture version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls as soul singer James “Thunder” Early. Murphy won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award in that category. Several reviews for the film highlighted Murphy’s performance while he received some pre-release Academy Awards buzz. Murphy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on January 23, 2007, but lost to Alan Arkin for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine.

Dreamgirls was the first film distributed by Paramount Pictures to star Murphy (who once signed an exclusive contract with the studio) since Vampire in Brooklyn in 1995. As a result of Viacom’s acquisition of Dreamworks SKG, Paramount distributed his other 2007 releases: Norbit and Shrek the Third. He is currently filming NowhereLand for Paramount Pictures.

Murphy is expected to begin work on Beverly Hills Cop IV sometime in the near future, and it is expected that producer Jerry Bruckheimer will not participate in the fourth installment of the series. Murphy recently told the Sun Online that “the new script is looking good.” In 2007, Murphy was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Personal life: Murphy was rumored to have dated Whitney Houston before meeting his wife. He began a longtime romantic relationship with Nicole Mitchell after meeting her in 1988 at an NAACP Image Awards show. They lived together for a year and a half before getting married at the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in New York City on March 18, 1993. In August 2005, Mitchell filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized on April 17, 2006..

On May 2, 1997, around 4:45am, Eddie Murphy picked up pre-op transsexual prostitute Atisone Seiuli aka Shalimar on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. This area was to be inside a “prostitution abatement zone” designated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies pulled over Murphy’s Toyota Land Cruiser, arrested his passenger for outstanding warrants, and released Murphy. The incident made tabloids and late night talk show monologues for months afterwards. The scandal prompted several other sex workers to come forward to the media about their alleged meetings with the actor.

Paul Barresi, a private investigator allegedly hired by Murphy for damage control when the scandal broke, told a source: “I called Marty ‘Bull Dog’ Singer [Murphy's attorney] and told him I could round up all the transsexuals alleging sexual dalliances with Murphy.” And they would all recant their stories. Within ten days, Barresi said, “I got them all to sign sworn, videotaped depositions, stating it wasn’t Murphy himself, but rather a look-alike, who they’d encountered – with the exception of Seiuli.”

Following his divorce from Mitchell, he dated Melanie Brown, who stated that her child is Murphy’s. Mitchell has considered arguing that Murphy breached their prenuptial agreement. It was widely reported that the reason may have been directly related to the 1997 sex worker incident. When questioned about the pregnancy in December 2006, Murphy told a reporter, “I don’t know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, sir.” Brown gave birth to a baby girl, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, on Murphy’s 46th birthday, April 3, 2007. On June 22, 2007, representatives for Brown announced in People magazine that a DNA test had confirmed that Murphy was the father. Brown’s daughter is Murphy’s seventh child; he has five children from his previous marriage to Nicole Mitchell, and another son from a previous relationship.

Murphy exchanged marriage vows with film producer Tracey Edmonds, former wife of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, on January 1, 2008 in a private ceremony on an island off Bora Bora. It was announced on January 16, 2008 that they never legally wed, had decided to forgo legalizing their union and had instead chosen to remain friends.

• Eddie Murphy Website: http://www.westlord.com/eddie-murphy/

Brad Renfro Biography

Brad Barron Renfro (July 25, 1982 – January 15, 2008) was an American actor. A native of the state of Tennessee, he made his movie debut in 1994 in The Client at the age of 11 years old.

He acted in 24 movies and several television episodes during his career. In 2006, he spent 10 days in jail for conviction of driving while under the influence and attempted heroin possession.

Brad Renfro was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of Angela and Mark Renfro, who works in a blueprint factory. He was raised by his grandmother, Joanne Renfro, a church secretary.

Renfro was ten when he was discovered by Mali Finn, a casting director for Joel Schumacher. Cast by Finn for Schumacher’s The Client, Renfro acted alongside Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. The movie was based on the bestselling John Grisham novel and became one of the top-grossing films of 1994. In 1995, he won Hollywood Reporter’s “Young Star” award, and was nominated as one of People magazine’s “Top 30 Under 30.”

In 1996 he was cast as the young Michael Sullivan for the movie Sleepers based on the novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra. The book Sleepers reportedly tells the story of Carcaterra’s own childhood in Hell’s Kitchen (NYC) and the highly traumatic time he spent in a juvenile detention centre. Michael Sullivan as a grown up was portrayed by Brad Pitt. The film Sleepers was directed by Barry Levinson and also starred Robert de Niro, Kevin Bacon, Dustin Hoffman and Jason Patric.

Renfro went on to act in other films, including 2001’s Ghost World and Bully and 2005’s The Jacket with Keira Knightley and Adrien Brody. He also played Huck Finn in 1995’s Tom and Huck with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Renfro also appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Recently, he completed filming his role in the upcoming movie The Informers.

Death: Renfro was found dead on January 15, 2008 in his Los Angeles apartment, after he had reportedly spent the previous night drinking with friends. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Brad Renfro Dies at 25: Actor Brad Renfro has died at age 25, Renfro died Tuesday at a Los Angeles apartment where he spent the night with friends, Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the Los Angeles county coroner.

Renfro was heard snoring overnight, but found not breathing later Tuesday morning, and the friends called 911. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene at about 9 a.m., Harvey says. A cause of death was not immediately determined, but Renfro had a history of drug problems.

Drug overdose is a “possibility considering his history, but right now all we have is the history of his drinking the previous night,” Harvey says. “All that we have is that he was last known to be alive during the morning hours and he was snoring.”

The actor, who starred in The Client and Apt Pupil, had recently completed a movie with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton.

Discovered at Age 12 Film director Joel Schumacher discovered Renfro at age 12 and cast him in the 1994 John Grisham movie The Client (which also starred Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones). The following year, PEOPLE named the young screen hopeful one of its “Top 30 Under 30.” The actor’s other credits include Tom and Huck, Ghost World and Deuces Wild.

But Renfro had a troubled life off-screen, going back to 1997 when he was sentenced to two years of probation after he tried to steal a yacht.

In 2005, Renfro was busted again, this time in a police sting in which he was charged with a felony count of attempting to possess heroin. In a separate incident, he was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence and two counts of driving with a suspended license.

In January 2006, he entered a rehab program. At the time, Renfro’s attorney, Richard Kaplan, told the Los Angeles Times that his client was doing well and “looks forward to doing whatever is necessary to take care of his personal and legal issues.” Renfro eventually plead guilty to the heroin charge and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

Most recently, in June 2007 Renfro was found to have violated his probation by not enrolling in a long-term drug treatment program. A judge warned him that if he violated probation two more times, he could be sentence to a live-in rehab program or to jail time.