During the period of 2001-2002, James Lafferty -- then a complete unknown to American audiences -- struck gold by essaying a pair of roles widely seen in the U.S. He irst played Emeril Lagasse's teenage son, James, on the celebrity chef's eponymous #92;sitcom, then portrayed Indiana basketball hero Steve Alford, the prize player of controversial coach Bobby Knight for several seasons, in the profane but honest made-for-cable #92;docudrama A Season on the Brink -- a role Lafferty held opposite the magnificent Brian Dennehy. These assignments brought the young actor much-deserved recognition, though his most prominent work still lay ahead: his portrayal of Nathan Scott, the lead character on the blockbuster prime-time series soaper One Tree Hill (2003). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide