And it doesn't stop at the small screen. Her most recent starring role in Sony's blistering prison drama, "Felon"alongside Val Kilmer, Stephen Dorff and Sam Shepardis set to hit theaters in 2008.

All of which might explain why Vibe Magazine named her "The Bombshell" of 2007, as part of their Hot 100.

The career of this Chicago-born beauty, like her Mexican-Hungarian-Romanian roots, can only be described as powerfully diverse.

From "Vegas Vacation" to "In Justice," her ability to switch effortlessly between comedy and drama has continually made her a go-to girl for some of the biggest directors and producers in the business. Whether it's playing the love interest of Larry the Cable Guy in "Delta Farce," or starring in three seasons of the ground-breaking drama "Resurrection Boulevard," Nichols continues to surprise audiences with her range and flexibility. Her big screen roles have taken her everywhere from "Scream 2," "Can't Hardly Wait," and "Mafia!" to playing opposite Martin Lawrence in "Big Momma's House 2."

Her evocative performances have won her two ALMA Award nominations and the distinguished Golden Eagle Award for Most Promising Actor or Actress. Co-starring with Ewan McGregor on "ER" earned that episode an Emmy nomination. But it was playing the beautiful yet ballsy Nadia on season six of "24" that truly cemented her place as one of television's most in-demand new talents.

Or as the Washington Post put it: "Nichols brings spirit and even a [dash] of sizzle and easily manages to be the most magnetic presence around."

But her passion extends beyond the big screen. In addition to promoting health and fitness as the national spokesperson for Bally Total Fitness, Nichols has been fighting for the rights of kids for over a decade, as commissioner and spokesperson for the Citizens Commission on Human Rights and their innovative "Fight for Kids" campaign. CCHR is a non-profit, public benefit organization that works specifically on the issue of abusive psychiatric drugging of children, an issue Nichols cares deeply about. Speaking at fundraising events, traveling to Washington, DC and meeting with members of Congress, Nichols helps educate parents so that they can make informed decisions before placing their child on mind-altering drugs.

In addition, she's been working for years to rehabilitate juvenile offenders with Criminon, a world-renowned non-profit organization that addresses the cause of criminality with unparalleled success rates. Her contributions include establishing a Criminon program for juveniles in her hometown of Chicago.

Nichols has received numerous awards, acknowledgements, and resolutions for her humanitarian work across both these vital fields, proving she's a force to be reckoned with both on and off the screen.