More than a Pretty Face

by Marianne Bell

Just a flash of their dazzling smiles is bound to set teenagers' hearts aflutter.

While good looks and charm may be the keys to their success, Jason Donovan, Andrew Daddo, Michael Roberts and Julian McMahon insist they're more than just pretty faces!

In fact, between them the fabulous four hold various university degrees and are determined to prove their acting prowess.

With his towering 189cm fram e and bulging biceps, it would be easy to categorise soapie star Julian McMahon as just another TV hunk. And Julian, 20, agrees modelling is a "meat factory"

Admittedly, he panders to the market - keeping his 87kg body in shape by pumping iron five days a week at a Melbourne gymnasium.

But Julian shrugs off the 'pretty-boy' tag with his motto: "The fitter you are physically, the fitter you are mentally."

The hansome model-turned-actor says acting is giving him the chance to prove he's more than just a pretty face.

Julian, who stars in the Seven Network's The Power, The Passion, says: "In acting, you use people for their minds, not just their looks. I'm sure people think I'm on television for my looks, so it's up to me to prove them wrong."

Julian studied economics at a NSW university for 12 months - leaving only to pursue his modelling career overseas. He hasn't returned to the course simply because he broke into acting and moved to Melbourne, where the daytime soapie is filmed.

He's studying acting techniques and intends to make his career as a serious actor.

"I want to get into film work and I'd love to do theatre," he says.