Year that was!

Noteworthy celebs filled our 2006 covers -- and they haven't stopped making news.

Yes, Sacha Baron Cohen was Borat on the cover of our Holiday Movie Preview issue in November (11/5/06). But the chameleon comic gamely agreed to be himself for our interview -- something he didn't do for other high-profile pubs. The result: a rare glimpse into his keen mind. "My humor is comic characters that exist in the real world," the Brit said of his hit spoof movie, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." "The interesting thing, actually, is how much the real person, who doesn't know he's in a comedy sketch, behaves and says the lines like you'd expect somebody to in a comedy sketch." Now, some "real people" want compensation for being duped: Two South Carolina college students who appear drunk in the movie have sued the studio, which claims the suit has no merit. Thandie Newton told us that she always has been drawn to serious roles. "I grew up fast and found myself in my 20s and dealing with some heavy stuff," said the Crash actress, our Holiday Gift Guide cover girl (12/3/06). "And I'm just good at expressing harrowing emotion on screen." Now shifting gears to try comedy, the svelte star reportedly agreed to gain weight to make the David Schwimmer-directed Run, Fat Boy, Run. Newton undoubtedly expressed some emotion when she showed up for work to learn that co-star Simon Pegg, of "Shaun of the Dead" fame, was "packing" on his character's extra pounds by putting on a fat suit. How's that for dealing with heavy stuff?

Even for talented brothers like Luke and Owen Wilson, sibling rivalry endures. "It's that middle brother syndrome. The older child has a very clear identity, and the baby gets a lot of attention. The middle brother is a little bit in no man's land," Owen told us in July (6/7/06). The shaggy blond falls between brother Andrew, also an actor, and baby Luke. In the rumored war for the affections of Kate Hudson, though, Owen has the edge. Recent gossip speculates about him buying an engagement ring for his "You, Me and Dupree" co-star, while Luke is left to carry a torch he has reportedly had for Hudson since making 2003's "Alex & Emma" with her.

Geena Davis was at the top of her game when we talked to her in January (1/22/06). "I have one of the most challenging jobs I've ever had, and I find it incredibly fulfilling," she said of her role as the first female president in the then-successful series "Commander in Chief." She won a Golden Globe, but the finicky nature of TV took over. Ratings dropped, and ABC yanked the show. As a single-termer, Davis went out with grace: She attended the Monte Carlo TV Festival this summer anyway, sitting with Prince Albert of Monaco, no less. And she was presented a Lucy Award at Women in Film's prestigious annual event.

When we talked to hitmaker Alicia Keys in February, the topic was music lyrics (1/22/06). Then a judge for our 2006 USA WEEKEND Songwriting Contest for Teens, the nine-time Grammy winner told us, "The key to songwriting for me is just honesty ... it resonates with people." Later that summer, Keys' name showed up in a tune by one of the world's master song scribes, Bob Dylan. In "Thunder on the Mountain," from his summer drop, "Modern Times," Dylan sings: "I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be, I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee." If he wasn't Bob Dylan, that would be a little creepy.

Michelle Monaghan was great this year in the action-packed "Mission: Impossible III." But, when she shared our Summer Movie Preview cover with Anne Hathaway in May, she said she has the makings of a comic actress (5/7/06). "I come from a really animated family," the Midwestern belle said of her penchant for wild gestures. In 2007, the former fashion model will showcase her goofy side when she stars opposite Ben Stiller in a flick by slapstick duo the Farrelly brothers.

Named our 2006 Most Caring Athlete in October (10/1/06) for his work in helping inner-city kids, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis has built or renovated playgrounds and taught computer literacy through his foundation, inspired in part by his daughter, Jada. "As a parent, I know how important playgrounds are for children when it comes to developing physically and having a safe outlet for activities," he said. "So when I see a place without one, I'm more determined to do something." Sadly, Bettis said goodbye this year to a special person whom he has called his "biggest fan." His father, Johnnie Bettis, 61, died of a heart attack in late November.

Patrick Dempsey told us in April (4/30/06) that he wants to sully his McDreamy character's good-guy image on "Grey's Anatomy." "I want him to be a little less dreamy and more of a nightmare," he said. In October, Dempsey dealt with a publicity nightmare when he and co-star Isaiah Washington reportedly had an on-set blowup. In some reports, Dempsey, with his mild-mannered charm, was painted as the winner.

Eva Longoria told us in April (4/9/06) that she has a passion for pistols: "I'm a tomboy," she said. "I love to shoot guns!" Relax. It's just for sport. The self-described "feisty Latina" also has a passion for making a difference. As rumors swirled that she benched her NBA baller boyfriend, Tony Parker, Longoria braved the paparazzi to appear at the National Hispanic Women's Conference and the National Hispana Leadership Institute's Mujer Awards, both of which honored her for her community work. Oh, and she got engaged to Parker after the commotion died down. You go, chica!

-- Frappa Stout