Australian actor Jesse Spencer launched his career with a long stint (from the mid- to late '90s) on the popular Aussie soap opera Neighbours, playing Billy Kennedy. He followed that up with a number of key supporting roles in acclaimed features, such as that of Marwood de Whichehalse in Mike_Barker's R.D. Blackmore adaptation Lorna_Doone (2001) before signing on for the lead in Russell_Mulcahy's inspirational drama Swimming_Upstream (2002).

That picture -- about a young man destined to become a champion swimmer despite the setbacks thrown into his path by an abusive father (Geoffrey_Rush) became a small-scale hit and earned favorable reviews. After a turn in the Brittany_Murphy vehicle Uptown_Girls (2003), Spencer landed one of his greatest achievements when he signed on to play Dr. Robert Chase on the Fox medical drama House, and the series quickly became a hit.

Offscreen, Spencer made headlines for his romantic involvement with House co-star Jennifer_Morrison (Dr. Allison Cameron). The two -- who reportedly met on the set of House -- became engaged during the 2006 holidays.