8. Vince Gilligan
Created: Breaking Bad
Pedigree: The X-Files
Youd be surprised he wrote: Home Fries Gilligan met The X-Files creator Chris Carter by chance through a family member and brushed off Carters initial offer for writing an episode. Dreaming of being a film maker, Gilligan didn't think television was the way to go. Realizing his blunder, he quickly called Carter back and landed a full-time gig on The X-Files writing staff. Had he not, who knows if Breaking Bad would ever have graced our screens.