Two decades ago, the world was introduced to a new TV heartthrob.
The year was 2004 and the comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives was reigning supreme on the TV airwaves.
A then-unknown actor named Jesse Metcalfe was cast in the role of John Rowland, the 18-year-old gardener who Gabrielle, played by Eva Longoria, with whom she was having a steamy affair.
Metcalfe made such an impression on Wisteria Lane (and millions of fans everywhere) that he almost immediately became Hollywood’s new “it” boy. And now, one of his biggest films, John Tucker Must Diecould be treated to a second film 18 years on.
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Metcalfe and his former co-stars Sophia Bush and Arielle Kebbel hinted during a reunion at Epic Cons Chicago that there was a sequel in the works.
“I’ve heard rumors of this script – there’s a script,” said Metcalfe, now aged 45. “Apparently it’s amazing.”
“I’d definitely love to be a part of it,” he added, before Kebbel told the crowd the sequel would definitely have “all of the OG cast”.
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While we wait with bated breath for John Tucker’s return, let’s see what Metcalfe has been up to all these years – and how it all began.
Though he played a teenager, Metcalfe was in his mid-20s when he was cast as the hunky gardener in Desperate Housewives.
In fact, he was almost the same age as his co-star Longoria at the time, who was supposed to be sleeping with a “boy toy” much younger than her.
speaking to HuffPostLongoria says her story arc with Metcalfe remains one of her most memorable in her career.
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“It was so iconic! I remember Jesse and I going everywhere together and people still come up to me and ask me like, ‘Tell me about the gardener.’ I’m like, ‘Jesse’s amazing’,” she says.
In 2004, usa today named him “the show’s hottest sex symbol” – but his role on the show wasn’t his most defining moment.
After finding success in Hollywood, Metcalfe’s character was reduced to “recurring” after he was a series regular in season one.
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In 2006, Metcalfe was cast as the titular character in the teen rom-com John Tucker Must DieJcementing him as a heartthrob in the eyes of a much-younger generation of fans.
The following year, however, was a tough one for the actor. He spent time in a rehab center for alcoholism, and eventually was able to get sober.
He acknowledged his battle with addiction in a powerful 2018 Instagram post.
“This is a polaroid from when I checked myself into rehab on March 19th of 2007, after a 3 day bender,” he captioned a photo of himself.
“These were some of the darkest days in my addiction. How did I get here? What was I running from? And what was the cost?”
Metcalfe returned to Hollywood with a bang, starring in Dallas for two years, before landing a role in the series Chesapeake Shores till 2021.
In an interview with i.d magazine in 2021, Metcalfe recalled the “pressure” he was under to maintain a certain body shape due to his role in Desperate Housewiveswhich often saw him appear shirtless.
“Having your shirt off in every episode of Housewives brought a lot of pressure. Everyone expects you to stay in that shape 24/7, 365. That’s not realistic,” he admitted.
“That’s why paparazzi catch actors between projects looking ‘out of shape’ – they’re taking time off and that includes the gym. You can run your body into the ground working out, not to mention the other things male actors do to stay fit. .”
More recently, the 45-year-old has been busy starring in several made-for-TV movies and rom-roms.
And in 2022, he split from his girlfriend of more than two years, Corin Jamie-Lee Clark.
Remember to drink responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
