10 most intriguing men in Hollywood

Ebony, April, 1995 by Lynn Norment

Intriguing, indeed they are. These handsome, affluent men arouse interest, desire and curiosity. They fascinate millions of filmgoers and television viewers with their good looks, charismatic personalities and versatile talents. They have taken Hollywood by storm with their ability to land the best roles. Consequently, they are seen on television week after week or in back-to-back hit films. Denzel Washington has been thrilling viewers for a decade, and Wesley Snipes also has an impressive list of film credits. Others, such as Eriq LaSalle and James McDaniel, more recently have staked their claim on fame. On these pages we profile the careers of 10 of Hollywood's most intriguing men.

ERIQ LaSALLE is the handsome and intense actor who in recent months has become well-known as the cocky Dr. Peter Benton on the critically acclaimed NBC drama series, E.R. "In some ways, he's like me," LaSalle says of his character, "because he's a perfectionist who is hard on himself." When he read for the part, LaSalle dressed in hospital scrubs, and fellow cast members take note of his mischievous sense of humor. LaSalle's first major movie was Coming To America, and he starred in D.R.O.P. Squad last year. After studying at Juilliard and New York University, LaSalle, who enjoys billiards and ping pong, landed roles on TV shows such as L.A. Law, Quantum Leap and A Different World.

DENZEL WASHINGTON has been described as witty, intelligent and handsome. Equally notable is the fact that Washington has risen to the status of superstardom in recent years with back-to-back movie roles that have packed theaters and established him as a formidable leading man. After launching his career in the theater, Washington co-starred for six years on television's St. Elsewhere. His first major film role, A Soldier's Story in 1984, was followed by his portrayal of South African Steve Biko in Cry Freedom, a Civil War infantryman in Glory (for which he won an Academy Award), and a jazz musician in Mo' Better Blues. More recently the dynamic actor has had lead roles in Philadelphia with Tom Hanks and The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts.

LAURENCE FISHBURNE'S Hollywood star continues to fly high. This versatile, powerful actor has won a succession of riveting movie roles, with one of his recent films being Bad Company, in which he co-stars with Ellen Barkin. In this film, he and Barkin become inter-twined in corporate espionage as well as a steamy love affair. Fishburne appears in John Singleon's Higher Learning as a college professor. He also stars in Just Cause opposite Sean Connery. The Brooklynite launched his acting career at age 12 with a role in Cornbread, Earl and Me, and shortly after got a part in Apocalypse Now. After more than 20 years of acting, Fishburne's career took a sharp upturn with his memorable roles as Ike Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It, which was described as "brilliant" in the media. Among his other film credits are Boyz `N The Hood, Searching For Bobby Fishcer, Class Action, King of New York, Read Heat, Nightmare on Elm Street 3 and Cotton Club.

JAMES McDANIEL has come into his own with his role as the cool and perceptive Lt. Arthur Fancy on ABC's top-rated drama N.Y.P.D. Blue. During his 16-year career, McDaniel has had roles on Hill Street Blues, Cop Rock, L.A. Law and Civil Wars, as well as a number of other television shows. He's also appeared in numerous movies, including Malcolm X, Strictly Business, Rocket Gibraltar and Alice. Born and reared in Washington, D.C., McDaniel attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he had planned to study veterinary medicine. (His father is a physician.) However, his love of the stage beckoned him to New York City, where he launched his acting career with a lead in a stage production of A Soldier's Story with only three days to prepare. In total, he has 75 theatrical credits, including Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Balm in Gilead. An accomplished equestrian and guitarist, McDaniel lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. "Every day is kind of an adventure," he says of his career.

MONTEL WILLIAMS: He's dapper, he;s bald and he's bold. And he hosts one of the most talked-about and watched talk shows on television. In its third year of national syndication, The Montel Williams Show is demonstrating its strength in the crowded talk-show genre, with its viewership among women on the rise. A former naval intelligence officer and motivational speaker, Williams has established his show as one of the most provocative and entertaining on television, and he's not reluctant to let viewers know just where he stands. The hour-long show is seen in 137 markets, covering 90 percent of the U.S. Williams and his wife, Grace, have two children, 2-year-old Montel II and Wynter-Grace, who was born in January.

MARIO VAN PEEBLES demands respect and gets it, both in front of the camera and behind it. The handsome 35-year-old actor, director and writer made his film debut in his father's 1971 classic, Sweet Sweetback's Baadassssss Song. Twenty years later, he made his feature film directorial debut with New Jack City. In between, Van Peebles earned a degree in economics from Columbia University and worked for a film investment firm, the commodities exchange and then as a budget analyst for the City of New York. He has appeared in a number of films, including Heartbreak Ridge and Jaws: The Revenge, as well as in numerous television shows, including his own show, Sonny Spoon. In 1994, Van Peebles directed and starred in Posse, and currently is starring in Highlander III. But Van Peebles' most challenging project is Panther, a film about the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, which he is directing and producing. The multitalented filmmaker has homes on both the West and East coasts, and when not working he enjoys reading, writing and working with young people.