Chopped Tournament of Stars: Meet the Celebrity Competitors

Introducing the Tournament of Stars

This brand-new, five-part series begins with Round 1: Sport Stars (March 9), followed by Round 2: Rachael vs. Guy (March 16), then Round 3: Comedians (March 23) and Round 4: Actors (March 30). The winner of each round will go onto compete in the finale on April 6.

Round 1: Greg Louganis

Over his diving career, Greg Louganis has earned a total of five Olympic medals, five world championship titles and 47 national titles (more than anyone in U.S. history). Greg continues to serve as a mentor for the Olympic diving team and is a motivational speaker. He also stars in TV's Splash and Celebrity Splash! He is the subject of the documentary Back on Board (2014). Greg is competing for Mending Kids International.

Round 1: Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee has been dubbed the greatest female athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. During her career in heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals and four world champion titles. In addition, Jackie was a world-class 100- and 200-meter runner and played professional basketball. Jackie is competing for the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation.

Round 1: Brandi Chastain

Professional soccer defender and midfielder Brandi Chastain is a former member of the U.S. women's national soccer team. She is best known for her game-winning penalty shootout kick against China in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. She has won two Women's World Cup championships and three Olympic medals. Brandi is competing for the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative.

Round 1: Charles Oakley

Charles Oakley has consistently ranked as one of the best rebounders in his 20+ years in the NBA. A former power forward, Charles has played for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets. In 1994 he was selected for the NBA All-Stars game. Charles is competing for Share Our Strength.

Round 2: Carnie Wilson

Singer Carnie Wilson is best known as a member of Wilson Phillips. She has also appeared on TV, regularly co-hosting The Talk and The View, hosting her own talk show, Carnie!, as well as The Newlywed Game for three seasons. Her books include two memoirs, Gut Feeling and I'm Still Hungry, as well as a cookbook, To Serve with Love. Carnie is competing for the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America.

Round 2: Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette is best known as one half of the world-famous, Emmy award-winning magic duo Penn & Teller, the longest-running headlining show in Las Vegas. Penn has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice. His book — Every Day Is an Atheist Holiday! — takes a humorous look at holidays from an atheist's perspective. Penn also produced the documentary Tim's Vermeer (2014). Penn is competing for Opportunity Village.

Round 2: Coolio

Rapper and musician Coolio's 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise became the most-successful rap song of all time, winning him a Grammy award. Coolio has also made appearances on TV, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Nanny, Charmed, Celebrity Bootcamp and Celebrity Big Brother (U.K.). He's also starred along with his family in the reality show Coolio's Rules. Coolio is competing for the Jarez Music Foundation.

Round 2: Lou Diamond Phillips

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips' breakout was portraying Ritchie Valens in La Bamba. His other film credits include Stand and Deliver, Che, Supernova, Young Guns, El Cortez and, most recently, Filly Brown. Lou currently co-stars in the TV drama Longmire and has had recurring roles on Southland, Cougar Town and Numb3rs. Currently he is working on two films, The 33 and Tao of Surfing as its director. Lou is competing for Share Our Strength.

Round 3: Tommy Davidson

Tommy Davidson is best known as one of the original stars of the TV show In Living Color. His film credits include Strictly Business, Booty Call, Juwanna Mann and Black Dynamite. His comedy specials include On the Strength NYC, Illin’ in Philly and Takin' It to DC. He is currently a host on The NFL Show and voices the lead in the animated series The Proud Family. Tommy is competing for the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida.

Round 3: Gillian Vigman

Gillian Vigman is most recognizable from her time on the sketch comedy series MADtv. She has also starred in the TV series Sons & Daughters and Suburgatory. Her film credits include The 40-Year-Old Virgin, After the Sunset, Dragonfly and Love 101. In addition, she has made appearances in commercials for Hanes, Jack in the Box, Chase, Swiffer, Buick and Real California Milk, among others. Gillian is competing for Go Campaign.

Round 3: Robert Wuhl

Comedian Robert Wuhl is best known for creating and starring in the TV comedy series Arli$$. He has also appeared on the game show 2 Minute Drill and competed in Poker Royale. His film credits include Batman, Mistress and Good Morning, Vietnam. His one-man show, Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl (2006), was followed by Assume the Position 201 with Mr. Wuhl in 2007. Robert is competing for The Amanda Foundation.

Round 3: Sinbad

Comedy Central ranked Sinbad as one of the top 100 comedians. His comedy specials include Brain Damaged, Afros & Bellbottoms, Son of a Preacher Man and Nuthin' But the Funk. Film credits include Jingle All the Way, Houseguest and Necessary Roughness. He starred in the TV series A Different World and The Sinbad Show and has appeared It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Celebrity Apprentice. Sinbad is competing for Downtown Dog Rescue.

Round 4: Lucas Grabeel

Lucas Grabeel is best known for appearing in the Emmy Award-winning made-for-TV movie High School Musical and its sequels. He also was a part of High School Musical: The Concert. TV appearances include Boston Legal, 'Til Death, Veronica Mars, Smallville and Switched at Birth. Film credits include Milk and College Road Trip. Lucas is competing for the Harmony Project.

Round 4: Peter Scolari

Best known for the TV series Bosom Buddies and Newhart, Peter Scolari can currently be seen in the HBO series Girls. Other TV appearances include The West Wing, ER and King of Queens. On Broadway, Peter most recently appeared in Lucky Guy and is currently appearing in the Bronx Bombers. Film credits include The Polar Express, That Thing You Do, Camp Nowhere and A Plumm Summer. Peter is competing for the COPD Foundation.

Round 4: Michael Imperioli

Actor and TV writer Michael Imperioli is best known for starring in The Sopranos, for which he won multiple Emmy awards and wrote a number of episodes. Other TV appearances include Law & Order, Life on Mars and Detroit 1-8-7. Film credits include Goodfellas, Jungle Fever, Bad Boys, The Basketball Diaries, Lean on Me, I Shot Andy Warhol, Last Man Standing and Summer of Sam. Michael is competing for The Pureland Project.

Round 4: Tasha Smith

Tasha Smith can currently be seen on TV in For Better or Worse, a spinoff of the movies Why Did I Get Married? and Why Did I Get married, Too?, which she also appeared in. Her upcoming film is Addicted. Other film credits include Daddy's Little Girls, Jumping the Broom, Couples Retreat, The Whole Ten Yards and The Longshots. Her TV credits include The Corner, Nip/Tuck, Meet the Browns and Without a Trace. Tasha is competing for Planned Parenthood.

Get More Chopped Tournament of Stars

Visit the Chopped page for more on the Tournament of Stars, including behind-the-scenes galleries and videos, and exclusive interviews with the winners.

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