French-born model and actor Gilles Marini first turned heads as a model for Giorgio Armani before making his big screen breakout in "Sex and the City: The Movie" (2008). Born Jan. 26, 1976, Marini was raised in Southern France by a Greek mother and Italian father. While serving as a firefighter with the French Army in Paris, Marini caught the eye of photographer Fred Goudon, who encouraged him to embark on a modeling career. Marini's dark good looks and ripped physique indeed led to a successful run in print and on fashion runways. When his career brought him to the United States, he stayed on in Los Angeles to break into acting - first landing a series of high profile television commercials before building up a resume with bit acting parts. He appeared in soaps "Passions" (NBC, 1999-2007) and "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS, 1987- ) and banked on his exotic looks to play sophisticated and alluring supporting roles on "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 2006-10) and "Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC, 2007-09).