Manny Perez knew right out of high school that he wanted to pursue an acting career. He quickly snagged a small role in the 1994 Spike Lee "joint" "Crooklyn," leading to several supporting parts in TV series and indie films. After taking home the Best Actor Award from the Milan International Film Festival for his bold turn as Carlos in the urban drama "Washington Heights," he popped up on series such as "Rescue Me" and "Third Watch." Raised in a poor family with 11 siblings, Perez hasn't taken a bit of his success for granted; he actively participates in humanitarian work in his home country of the Dominican Republic.