Welcome to my world.... : Favorite Hunk of The Day: June 6, 2008

Gilles Marini
From: Favorite Hunk of The Day: Gilles Marini

Gilles certainly is getting a lot of attention these day, and I certainly know why!

Gilles Marini /ʒiːl məˈriːni/ (born January 26, 1976) is a French-American actor. He is known for having appeared in Sex and the City: The Movie and in the American television series Brothers & Sisters as Luc Laurent.

Marini was born in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France to a Greek mother and Italian father. After working as a baker in his father's bakery since he was eight years old and high school, he joined the French army and was stationed in Paris, where he acted as a fireman for the Paris Fire Brigade. It was in Paris where Marini met Fred Goudon, a photographer who introduced him to the world of modeling. After fulfilling his military duties, he went to the United States to learn English while working as a model. He began his career as a model in his early twenties. One of his first jobs was a television commercial for Bud Light beer. He made his acting debut at the age of 29, in the 2005 horror flick Screech of the Decapitated.

Gilles Marini in Sex And The City

He played Dante in Sex and the City: The Movie in which he did a full frontal nude scene. He has appeared on Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, Dirty Sexy Money, Criminal Minds, Nip/Tuck, The Bold and the Beautiful,Passions and "2 Broke Girls". His film credits include One and the Other (L'Une et L'Autre) and The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down. On February 8, 2009, it was announced that Marini would participate in the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars. His professional partner was Cheryl Burke. He also took part in the 15th season of Dancing with the Stars for another chance to win the mirror ball trophy. He danced with season 14 winner, Peta Murgatroyd. They were the eighth couple eliminated from the competition.

Gilles Marini in Sex And The City

He was introduced as a recurring character on ABC's hit family drama Brothers & Sisters. He played Luc Laurent, the French love interest of Rachel Griffiths' character Sarah Walker in what was originally was supposed to be a five episode arc, but was promoted to a series regular. The series was cancelled in May 2011 after the fifth season ended. He also appears as Bay Kennish's biological father, Angelo Sorrento, in Switched at Birth. On September 18, it was announced that he would become a series regular for the second season.

Gilles Marini in Sex And The City

Gilles and his partner Cheryl Burke came in 2nd Place of the American TV dance competition Dancing with the Stars. On May 19, 2009, Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson & her partner Mark Ballas won the competition, beating Gilles & Cheryl by less than 1%.