Tyrese Darnell Gibson was born on December 30, 1978 in Los Angeles, California. Also known simply as Tyrese, he is an R&B singer, rapper, actor and former fashion model. After releasing several albums, he transitioned into films, with lead roles in several Hollywood blockbusters. Gibson's career began when he won a talent show at the age of fourteen. An appearance in a 1994 Coca-Cola advertisement, singing the phrase "Always Coca-Cola", led to wider fame. In 1996, Gibson appeared on an episode of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. He also guest starred on the Fox sitcom Martin. Then he guest-starred on an episode of The Parent 'Hood sitcom in 1998. He was given the role originally intended for Tupac Shakur in the 2001 urban drama Baby Boy, and he subsequently appeared in the 2003 film 2 Fast 2 Furious (opposite Paul Walker with whom he formed a close friendship); as well as Flight of the Phoenix (2004), Four Brothers (2005), Waist Deep (2006) and Annapolis (2006). He appeared in the 2007 action film Transformers. Later he appeared in action thriller Death Race (2008). In 2009, he reprised his role as Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Robert Epps in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Next, Gibson portrayed Kyle Williams in the Sony Screen Gems production Legion (2010). In 2011, Gibson appears in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and is slated to return for the fifth installment; Fast Five, reprising his role as Roman Pierce.