True Blood Lust—Before They Were Stars

Ryan Kwanten—Summerland (2004)

Before becoming True Blood’s resident doofus (and eye candy), the Australian native appeared on a couple of short-lived (but much-loved) shows: Summerland and Tru Calling.

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Ryan Kwanten, Then and Now

As Jason Stackhouse: Jason is manning up and trying to do the right thing (remember Deputy Stackhouse?). But when he and Sookie start to uncover some hidden truths about their parents, we see him struggle with some more sensitive issues. As he always does, Jason works to be a hero helping to save the vampires. We're guessing this season he'll still be saving lives while hopefully shirtless.

Alexander Skarsgård in the Swedish Film Åke och hans Värld (Ake and His World)

Alexander Skarsgård—Swedish Film Åke och hans Värld (1984)

Could the actor who plays the tall, blond and handsome Viking vampire really be this scrawny little boy in a 1984 Swedish production? Du satsar! You also may remember him as male model Meekus in the 2001 Ben Stiller movie Zoolander.

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Alexander Skarsgård, Then and Now

As Eric Northman: Not even Lillith's blood could turn Eric into a blood-thirsty anti-human. Now if only Nora would stop confusing him with sexy-not-blood-sister relations and have more tension-filled moments with Sookie. While the last couple seasons have been tumultuous for Eric, the end of Season 6 gave us some full-frontal sunbathing which we are very grateful for.

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Rutina Wesley—Freshman Year, Las Vegas Academy of International Studies and Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV (1994)

Back in 1994, Rutina Wesley was a fresh-faced freshman at the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies and Performing Arts. After attending the Juilliard School, she began her career performing on Broadway before being cast as Sookie’s hot-headed best friend.

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Rutina Wesley, Then and Now

As Tara Thornton: Now a baby vamp in True Blood, Tara actually finds her life less dramatic than usual. The main thing on her mind now is her girl crush on her maker, Pam. After last seasons entrapment that Tara suffered, we're hoping that maybe things will finally be easier for the new vamp.

Sam Trammell—Fear of Fiction (2001)

In addition to small parts in shows like Dexter, House and Bones, Trammell appeared—as identical twins!—opposite Oscar winner Melissa Leo in the road-trippy 2000 indie movie Fear of Fiction.

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Sam Trammell, Then and Now

As Sam Merlotte: After meeting Luna, he no longer had to hide what he really is: a shifter. But poor Sam loses Luna and finds himself on the run from... pretty much everyone in order to protect his new, young charge. Eventually things shift for Sam and he's currently serving as mayor of Bon Temps.

Joe Manganiello from One Tree Hill True Blood

Joe Manganiello—One Tree Hill

Check him out short-haired and beardless—but still just as cute in the buff—on One Tree Hill: "At least you think I'm huge!"

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Joe Manganiello, Then and Now

As Alcide Herveaux: Sensitive and sweet, heartbroken and hunky, this werewolf finally became pack leader of the weres. He even gnawed on the arm of his defeated foe, just to make it official. However after a stint in werewolf society, Alcide decides to step out.

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Anna Paquin—Junior Year, Windward School, Santa Monica, CA (1999)

In 1999, Anna Paquin was hardly your average junior at Windward School in Santa Monica: She’d already won an Oscar, at age 11, for The Piano, and gave perhaps the most adorable acceptance speech ever (the microphone is taller than she is!). She went on to star in movies including X-Men and She’s All That.

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library (left); David Livingston/Getty Images (right)

Anna Paquin, Then and Now

As Sookie Stackhouse: Being a faerie may not be as shiny as it seems. And back in the human world, she’s trying to unravel the mystery of her parents' murder in connection with an ancient vamp... and not die. It's a lot, especially with Eric and Bill around to distract her.

Stephen Moyer/AllStephenmoyer.com

Stephen Moyer—Head Shot (1988)

This classically trained British actor studied at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art around 1988 (when this headshot was taken) and soon appeared in stage productions including Romeo and Juliet. Before becoming Southern gentleman-vamp Bill, he was best known for his role in the Debra Messing miniseries The Starter Wife.

Stephen Moyer/AllStephenmoyer.com (left); Kevin Winter/Getty Images (right)

Stephen Moyer, Then and Now

As Bill Compton: In Season 5, Bill had just guzzled the entire vial of Lillith's blood. I guess that makes him... Billith? The awesome powers of the goddess make him immune to staking and he can fly. Er, this can't end well...judging from how Bill's newfound powers increase.

christopher meloni young high school yearbook 1977 photo

Christopher Meloni, High School Yearbook Photo

Former sex crime detective Christopher Meloni Joined the cast for season 5, seen here in a rare shot with flowing '70s locks.

christopher meloni young high school yearbook 1977 photo red carpet 2011

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Christopher Meloni, Then and Now

After leaving poor Olivia Benson to fend for herself on SVU, Meloni has strapped on the fangs and joined the True Blood cast as Roman. And if there are shirtless scenes, so be it. Unluckily for him, a shocking twist in Season 5 left us wondering how long anyone can be the Authority.