Liam Hemsworth

In promotion of The Hunger Games, Liam Hemsworth will likely be on the road often over the next few months. But girlfriend Miley Cyrus has now ensured her man won't be alone.

For the actor's 22nd birthday last week, Cyrus presented him with an adorable puppy named Ziggy, Tweeting a photo of the canine for all followers to see:

Hemsworth apparently wanted to name the dog "Daisy Duke" at first, Miley wrote, but: "I said NOOO WAY! Shes an angel! she loves her bro & sis too!"

As seen above, Liam and Miley were most recently spotted together at last week's People's Choice Awards. Neither won any hardware, both both looked very good.

He's no longer simply known as Miley Cyrus' Boyfriend. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Liam Hemsworth has established his own identity, having landed one of the lead roles in this spring's The Hunger Games. And, now, the man behind Gale Hawthorne is 22 years old. Today is his birthday!

Look for the Australian's stock to positively sky-rocket following the March 23 release of this blockbuster. It should be fun to watch.

Also celebrating a birthday today is: Orlando Bloom (35), Patrick Dempsey (46) and Julia-Louis Dreyfus (51).

[Photo: WENN.com]

Liam Hemsworth is about to make it big. Really big. And not just as the boyfriend of Miley Cyrus, but as one of the stars of The Hunger Games, the blockbuster trilogy that kicks off in March.

For now, though, the actor is still mostly known for the famous girl on his arm, which was the main topic of conversation between Hemsworth and Who Magazine this month. That magazine has named Liam one of the Sexiest People of 2011.

"There is this place in Nashville called Steak and Shake, which is pretty much the best food, ever," he tells the magazine. "That is our secret, sexy place to go... When I look over at her when she's biting into a steak sandwich and there is some steak sauce dripping down her chin, there is nothing sexier than that."

So that's what Hemsworth likes about Cyrus. What does she find attractive about Liam?

"I'm still trying to figure it out," he laughed. "I'm kind of a goof."

We don't wanna spoil The Hunger Games, but allow us to say this: As Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence will have to do choose between Josh Hutcherson's Peeta and Liam Hemsworth's Gale.

We got our first look at these actors in those roles via this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly. As you can tell, the decision won't be easy.

But you can help Katniss make it! Study both actors below and answer the most pressing question of them all: Who would you rather...

 

Josh Hutcherson

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Vote for Josh

Liam Hemsworth

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Two Hunger Games actors. Two young studs. But only one winner can be selected between Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.

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Two months ago, Entertainment Weekly gave readers their first look at Jennifer Lawrence in the main Hunger Games role of Katniss Everdeen.

Now, the magazine had done the same for Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, who will portray the two young man both pining for Katniss in the big screen version of this best-selling novel, Peeta and Gale, respectively.

Hemsworth, of course, is mostly known for dating Miley Cyrus. But director Gary Ross stands up for the Australian actor in an interview with the magazine and says:

“On first glance he’s such a hunk that it’s easy to just sort of ascribe a hunk-like simplicity to him. But this is a phenomenally subtle actor.”

For more on The Hunger Games, pick up this issue of Entertainment Weekly - and continue to visit THG all the way through the film's March 21, 2012 release date!

Billy Ray Cyrus is shying away from fears over Satanical attacks these days.

As he continues to make amends for statements he made earlier this year (such as claiming that fame ruined his family), Billy Ray is showing major support for his daughter's boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth.

"He's a great guy," Billy Ray told E! News yesterday while promoting his patriotic new album "I'm American." "He's solid. He's got great character."

Hemsworth will also be known as a lot more than Miley Cyrus' boyfriend in a few months: he's landed the major role of Gale in The Hunger Games.

How does Billy Ray think the young actor will do?

Josh Hutcherson? He has brown hair.

Liam Hemsworth? The guy who dated Miley Cyrus?!?

These were the reactions many readers of The Hunger Games had upon learning who would portray Peeta and Gale in the movie version of these books. But co-star Jennifer Lawrence can ease the concerns of any hesitant fans.

"Josh is so charming,” the woman behind Katniss tells Entertainment Weekly. “And when you read in the books about Peeta being able to manipulate anybody - I mean Josh could get, well, I don’t know a metaphor for [this scenario] except for dirty ones. But he’s charming, he’s sweet, he’s down to earth, he’s normal. He embodies all of it and brings it all to Peeta.. he’s got all of these great qualities and every single one of them come across in every line he says out loud as Peeta.”

Liam Hemsworth, best known for being in The Last Song and Miley Cyrus' pants, will now be seen in the wildly-anticipated film adaptation of The Hunger Games.

Hemsworth has been cast as Gale Hawthorne, the close companion / secret hunting partner of Katniss Everdeen, the lead character played by Jennifer Lawrence.

Think these two will make a formidable on-screen tandem?

CASTING GAME: Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth will star alongside Jennifer Lawrence in the highly-anticipated film adaptation of The Hunger Games.

The casting news was confirmed by E! Online. Whether or not Liam and Miley are back together has not yet been independently verified, but stay tuned.

Meanwhile, coming off a critically-acclaimed role in The Kids Are Alright, up and comer Josh Hutcherson won the highly sought-after part of Peeta Mellark.

The role of Peeta, the brave baker's son who enters the games with Katniss, was rumored to be filled by others, included Alex Pettyfer and Hunter Parrish.

Didn't happen for them. Think Josh Hutcherson will be a good fit as Peeta? What about Liam as Gale? Sound off on these casting moves in the comments.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth... take 27?

A couple days after the singer told an Australian newspaper that she has a boyfriend, sources have identified that love interest as none other than Liam Hemsworth, the actor who has been off and on with Miley for years.

"They've been hanging out a lot," a friend of Liam's tells E! News. "They've been trying to do it away from the cameras."

Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus are allegedly running it back. Again.

Hemsworth will be reportedly accompany Cyrus to his native land, as she stops by Australia during her Gypsy Heart tour on June 21.

So, can we count on another long run for Miam? An insider simply says the two are "taking it slow and just enjoying each other's company." Naked company, that is!

So much for normalcy and structure. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, who got back together in September, have called it quits again.

"Their on- and off-again relationship is currently off," a source told People. "But you never know with Miley and Liam. They could be back on at some point."

Friends close to the singer claim she sought comfort in her ex when she first learned of her parents' divorce. But reports circulated last week that said Liam cheated on Miley during a trip to his native Australia.