Not every actor plays a character for 15 years, but lived in Dr. Spencer Reid's skin for as many seasons. He started on CBS' "Criminal Minds" when he was just 25 years old and is the only cast member to have appeared in every episode.

Between the fan adoration and his enduring presence, the young genius Spencer — who's always got a scientific explanation or obscure fact on the tip of his tongue — has become synonymous with the series.

, but he's also the sweet one who the writers can't help but put in danger over and over again. There's a kidnapping that leads to drug addiction, someone framing him for murder and a subsequent prison sentence, and countless other traumas that are too much for one human being to bear.

Although some aspects of Gubler's life — like

— have influenced Spencer's character, ultimately, they're very different people. Case in point: Gubler can both roller skate dance. But when it comes to Spencer, Gubler likes him just the way he is.

Artistic vs. scientific eccentricity

Matthew Gray Gubler's known for being a little eccentric — he lives in a "haunted treehouse" (via

) and wrote a children's book about a monster who wears a banana peel on his head. In fact, he's not above wearing a banana peel on his own head (via ). So, it's only fitting that he would play and appreciate a character as eccentric as him, though in a different way. "I like Reid the way he is," Gubler said in 2011 when asked if he wanted Reid to grow out of his social awkwardness. "I know they keep on trying to make him kind of cool.

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