Model-turned-actor Mehcad Brooks received the break of a lifetime when he joined the cast of ABC’s monster hit show, "Desperate Housewives" (2004- ). With a one-two punch, Brooks also landed a major role in the critically lauded basketball flick, “Glory Road” (2006).

The son of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Billy Brooks and Alberta Phillips, an editor and columnist, Brooks was born Oct. 25, 1980 in Austin, TX. (Ironically, his brother Billy would be one of two other candidates for his later role on “Desperate Housewives”). Brooks attended L.C. Anderson High School, where he played football, baseball and basketball, earning all-state honors for the latter. He also practiced martial arts. After high school, he attended the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television.

Brooks’ career began early when he started modeling at age 15. As an actor, he appeared in independent films and on several television programs before landing the pivotal role of Russell Clark during a four-episode arc of "Boston Public" (Fox, 2000-04) in 2003. He also guested on a 2004 episode of "Cold Case" (CBS, 2003- ) before landing his life altering role on “Desperate Housewives."

As Matthew Applewhite, one-third of Wisteria Lane’s only African-American family, Brooks played the so-called good son of Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard) versus the “bad” son, Caleb, who remained locked in the basement. According to past history, prior to the Applewhite family’s arrival on the show, the character of Caleb had been held responsible for the murder of his brother’s girlfriend, when in fact, in a later season finale that shocked viewers, Betty revealed that Matthew, not Caleb, had killed his former girlfriend. When Bree Van De Kamp (Marcia Cross) confronted Matthew and her daughter, Danielle (who had become involved with him) with this news, Matthew pulled a gun and threatened her. Before he could fire, a police officer shot and killed him, apparently concluding the Applewhite storyline.

On to bigger and better things, Brooks appeared in his first major film role in "Glory Road" (2006). He played Harry Flournoy, a member of the first all-black starting lineup for an NCAA basketball. Like several other cast members who sustained injuries during the intensely physical shoot, Brooks sprained a finger.