Justin Long's Spotlight

Muscles, athleticism and raw, unbridled masculinity can only get you so far, boys. Justin Long may not be able to launch a javelin 50 feet, or crush a beer can against his skull, but we're pretty sure he can confidently discuss the collected works of Michael Chabon while helping your mother with the ceviche she's preparing for dinner. If the age-old adage is true -- and judging by those steamy paparazzi pics of Justin Long and his on-again off-again lover Drew Barrymore going at it on the beach, it is -- then the actor should have no problem beating his jock counterparts for babes. Although his introduction to mainstream audiences as plucky Warren Cheswick in NBC's series Ed was brief, Justin Long has parlayed it into one of the most diverse film careers in recent memory. He's done the teen scream thing with Jeepers Creepers, as well as the tween dream thing with Britney Spears' Crossroads. He's yukked it up as Vince Vaughan's goofy sidekick in the Ben Stiller-directed Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and reunited with Vaughan as Jennifer Aniston's flamboyant friend in The Break-Up. After headlining the frat boy flick Accepted, Long tried his hand at action, playing a computer hacker opposite Bruce Willis' John McClane in Live Free or Die Hard. He followed that up with a role in the all-star ensemble romcom He's Just Not That Into You. If that isn't enough variety for you, Justin Long appeared opposite Michael Cera in the cynical sexcapade Youth In Revolt, tried his hand at horror in Sam Raimi's Drag Me To Hell and shares the screen with Liam Neeson and Christina Ricci in the upcoming psychological thriller After Life. Clearly this kid is doing something right.



To say that stardom was in the cards for a young Justin Long may be a bit of stretch. The diminutive teen, whose father was a philosophy professor and mother a Broadway actress, attended Fairfield College Prep, where he was voted "Most likely not to be seen in class." But after joining the sketch comedy troupe Laughingstock while attending Vassar College, Long discovered the natural comedic ability that would help define his career. His strong performances throughout college earned him attention from people who mattered. Still, perhaps due to his lack of idol-esque qualities, Long was skeptical. "I knew I wanted to be an actor but I never thought that acting was a reality, and that I could make money as an actor. I just assumed I would struggle and maybe do plays and stuff." If by struggle he meant excel, and by plays he meant high-profile feature films, then he was spot on.