Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII

Showtime's sexy, historical drama The Tudors ran between 2007 and 2010. At the helm of the action was Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who filled the role of intense King Henry VIII with fiery passion and fierce skill. He received two Golden Globe nominations for his exquisite performance as the erotic ruler with a revolving door of wives, and won the hearts of many critics as well. The part took a toll on Jonathan, who has spoken at length about the difficulty he had carrying on with his life beyond the confines of 16th-century England.