Taye Diggs (Getty Images)
(WUSA) -- On January 2, actor Taye Diggs celebrates his birthday. According to the Associated Press, Diggs is turning 42.
According to IMDB, Diggs was born Scott L. Diggs in New Jersey in 1971 (the nickname "Scottaye" was later shortened to "Taye"). He was raised in Rochester, New York.
He earned a degree in musical theater from Syracuse University before making his show business debut in the play "Carousel." Diggs would go on to portray Benny, the evil landlord in "Rent" and Winston Shakespeare in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back."
Diggs would later marry Idina Menzel at the same Jamaican resort where How Stella Got Her Groove Back was filmed.
From 2007 to 2012, Diggs played Dr. Sam Bennett on the television show Private Practice. This year, he's scheduled to appear in the comedy "Baggage Claim" and the drama "The Trials of Cate McCall."