Strapping Texan actor Brian J. Smith made his feature film debut with a starring role in the indie drama "Hate Crime," as half of a suburban gay couple who fall victim to prejudice. The controversial film blazed the festival circuit, racking up numerous awards while spawning a Billboard-charting dance hit ("Jesus by 45"). The attention helped Smith earn his shot on Broadway in the lauded 2008 revival of the domestic drama "Come Back, Little Sheba." Cast as simple, earnest hunk Turk, Smith garnered great reviews. As a by-product of appearing nightly in his boxers, the actor emerged as something of a sex symbol. He was soon cast in a high-profile role on the Syfy Network's "Stargate Universe" as green but headstrong Stargate Command Lt. Matthew Scott. The actor ventured from deep space back to 1930s Istanbul with a part in the PBS presentation of "Agatha Christie's Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express," a star-studded episode of the long-running mystery series. Smith also appeared among the ensemble cast of another murder-strewn mystery, the low-budget thriller "Red Hook," and in the intense political drama "The War Boys," as one of a trio of border-protecting vigilantes .