DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - METCALFE DESPERATE TO SHED SEX SYMBOL STATUS

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES hunk JESSE METCALFE is determined to follow in TOM CRUISE's footsteps - by shedding his sex symbol status to become a respected actor.

Metcalfe enjoys his role as toyboy gardener in the hit TV series, but yearns to play darker, grittier characters and believes he can only achieve that by losing his pin-up label.

He complains, "In Hollywood, even for actors like Tom Cruise and BRAD PITT, it's been difficult for them to gain respect. They have gained respect as good actors, but when they first came on the scene, they were the cute, hunky guys.

"It might be difficult for me to shed my beefcake label. It's not such an awful label to have, although I don't see myself as that hunky a guy. But I'd like to play something a little darker a little edgier."