Spider-loving Dominic Monaghan, who shares a birthday with co-star Ian Somerhalder, is best known for his portrayal of the hobbit Meriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Born and raised in Germany, he moved to England at the age of twelve, and got his first big acting break in the British TV drama Hetty Wainthropp Investigates while he was still at Sixth Form College.
Other TV credits include This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper and Monsignor Renard, in which he starred opposite the late John Thaw.
Obsessed with movies since seeing Star Wars at the age of six, his performance in LOTR has led to more film roles, including parts in the forthcoming Spivs, The Purifier and writer-director Rebecca Cook's dark psychological drama, Shooting Livien.
Dominic is an active environmentalist, and put his money where his mouth is in 2003 when he invested money to protect a forest in India.
He was born on 8 December 1976. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his pet black widow spider and her several scary offspring.