To be fair, John Cusack (born in Evanston, Ill., on June 28, 1966) has made an impressive list of movies and portrayed everything from a geeky, earnest playwright in Woody Allen's acclaimed Bullets Over Broadway to a commitment-phobic record store owner in Stephen Frears's High Fidelity.

But he will forever rule the hearts of hopeless romantics for his portrayal of solid, straight-talking and soulful Lloyd Dobbler in the teen movie sensation Say Anything. Hoisting the iconic boom-box over his head, Dobbler epitomized the perfect suitor -- committed and unwavering (with cool musical taste to boot).\

Cusack got his start in a decidedly less suave roles, though, in 1983's Class and 1984's Sixteen Candles. His versatility has led him down various paths, from drama (The Grifters and A Doll's House) and animation (Anastasia) to -- what else? -- romantic comedies (The Sure Thing and Serendipity).