Max Greenfield

Max Greenfield kicked around numerous supporting roles for many years before he landed his big break on the hit sitcom "New Girl" (Fox, 2011- ). He made his acting debut on television, guest starring in a cadre of roles on such primetime shows like "Boston Public" (Fox, 2000-04) and "Gilmore Girls" (The WB, 2000-07). Greenfield's star began to rise after landing recurring roles on "Veronica Mars" (The WB, 2004-06; UPN, 2006-07), where he played a charming deputy sheriff, and on "Greek" (ABC Family, 2007-2011), as the love interest of a male student. In 2011, Greenfield joined the cast of "New Girl," as a ladies man who, ironically, never seemed to have any success with the opposite sex. The juicy part finally cast the spotlight on Greenfield, giving him well-earned recognition as one of his generation's most promising and talented actors.

Born on Sept. 4, 1980 in Dobbs Ferry, NY, Greenfield went on to graduate from Dobbs Ferry High School in 1998, whereupon he began pursuing acting as his career goal. He went on to land guest stints on dramas such as "Boston Public" and "Gilmore Girls" as well as a featured role in the comedy feature "When Do We Eat?" (2005), playing an Internet tycoon who, after losing his fortune, becomes a Hasidic Jew. Greenfield's scored his first lead role on the sitcom "Modern Men" (The WB, 2006), as one of three lifelong bachelors who hire a life coach to help them understand and manage women. While starring on the short-lived sitcom did little to boost his career, Greenfield had more success in supporting roles like an overly-happy deputy sheriff on the WB comedy-drama series "Veronica Mars," and as Michael, the older love interest of student Calvin Owens (Paul James) on "Greek," an ABC Family drama about the lives of fraternity- and sorority-bound college students. In one highly publicized episode of the latter, Greenfield locked lips with Owens, making it the cable channel's first same-sex kiss. In 2007, he landed a recurring role as the hunky yet arrogant assistant of Rebecca Romijin on the hit comedy series "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 2006-2010).

Greenfield continued to make headway on television with a slew of guest starring roles on primetime series such as "Melrose Place" (The CW, 2009-2010), a remake of the popular 1990s phenomenon of the same name; the failed Michael Chiklis action-comedy "No Ordinary Family" (ABC, 2010); and the popular drama series "Castle" (ABC, 2009- ). He also showcased his versatility by creating, producing and starring on the comedy series "The Gentlemen's League" (Audience Network, 2010), which followed the real-life fantasy football league he ran with actor Jerry Ferrara. In 2011, Greenfield's career took off with a starring role on the hit comedy series "New Girl," about a quirky yet adorable twenty-something single woman named Jess (Zooey Deschanel) who, after catching her boyfriend cheating, moves into an apartment with three bachelors. Greenfield played Schmidt, the stereotypical playboy who, in spite of his sexual aggressiveness and confidence, never seems to have any luck with the ladies. As the show's resident "player," Greenfield often appeared shirtless or wearing ridiculous costumes like a sexy Santa outfit, much to the chagrin of his roommates. The role pushed his career to new heights and earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 2012.

By Candy Cuenco