And despite a 100-day writers' strike and unsettled Screen Actor's Guild business that continues to steal headlines, he has every reason to be.

FORBES: Look, This Is Fox

Born near Tashkent, Cuker had worked as an actor before establishing a successful business selling classic automobiles.

NEWYORKER: Mayberry Man

Producer and actor Mark Wahlberg takes care of his business from the backseat.

FORBES: Connect

Contenders for the US charity version of the show, hosted by the business tycoon, also include former teen idol David Cassidy and actor Gary Busey.

BBC: Meat Loaf and La Toya set for US Celebrity Apprentice

The maverick actor acknowledges that this might not be the best time to start such a business venture, but refuses to let the current economic climate hamper his pursuits.

CNN: Wearing John Malkovich

But after the show went off the air, the actor -- by then 18 -- struggled to find a place in show business.

CNN: 'Diff'rent Strokes' actor Gary Coleman dies at 42

Mr. Azimi features in several of the scores of PowerPoint slides drawn up to chart the Malign Actor Networks, officials say, with its squiggly lines that represent family ties, business partnerships or other links that connect people from spheres across Afghanistan.

WSJ: In Afghanistan, Prosecution of 'Malign Actors' Stalls

This year the dragonflies helped the 25-year-old Mr. Sukrit win the coveted "most popular actor" award at entertainment magazine Siam Dara and have flooded Thailand's show-business chat-rooms with tributes to his talents.

WSJ: Hungry for Drama, Chinese Viewers Send Out for Thai