I had to triple-take IMDB this morning. Matt Camden from 7th Heaven—or Barry Watson, as his parents named him—turned 39 today. Seriously, I used to get the (Teaching Mrs.) tingles watching this guy every Monday night as the bible-thumping Matt Camden on 7th Heaven.

See kids, Barry Watson was the original Taylor Kitsch. He was the first notable incarnation of John Carter——brooding, dark eyes, shoulder-length Vidal Sassoon-ed hair.

Barry was a demi-god back in ’96. I’m not sure why his star did not continue to rise after 7th Heaven left the air, but he was the champion reason why I bought BOP! magazine back in the day. Wherever you are, Barry, just know that Taylor Kitsch owes you a round of drinks and a pair of sneakers because without your heart-throbbing success, he could’ve never battleshipped his way into America’s heart.

Happy Birthday, Barry.