Actor Josh Hartnett (1978–), often dubbed a reluctant heartthrob, was born on this day in San Francisco, California, the eldest of four children. Raised Catholic in St. Paul, Minnesota, Hartnett played football in high school, worked in a video store, and discovered acting only after a knee injury benched him.

“I’ve had my heart broken, and it’s not fun,” he shared. “But I’d rather have my heart broken than break someone else’s heart.” said Hartnett.

In 1998, the versatile actor made his big screen debut in the slasher hit Halloween: H20, followed by The Faculty. He rose to fame with lead roles in the World War II epic Pearl Harbor (2001, with Ben Affleck) and the gripping real-life war drama Black Hawk Down (2002). His fate as a Hollywood hottie was sealed.

His meteoric rise to fame clashed with his preference for privacy. “I hate to be thought of as a teen idol,” he admitted. “I like to see the world the way it is and not from the balcony of a hotel.”

Co-starring with his Star Wars hero Harrison Ford in Hollywood Homicide was a dream come true. Ford joked, “My 12-year-old daughter and her girlfriends refer to him as Josh ‘Hot-nett.’ He's huge. I used to be huge.”

About fame, the 6'3" Hartnett once said, “I've been extremely lucky as far as the business goes. It really is all about luck and I haven't had any of the setbacks I heard I'd be in for.”