Coby Bell - one of the men of `Third Watch'

NEW YORK - Nice guys don't always finish last.

Coby Bell, one of the stars of NBC's ensemble drama "Third Watch," is a young actor who has skyrocketed to the cusp of celebrity. But that hasn't changed his mantra: "Take it easy, go with the flow and be nice to everybody."

Three months after graduating with honors from San Jose State University, Bell landed a guest role on "ER," which led to guest spots on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Parent 'Hood" and other TV shows.

Bell was tapped as a full-fledged cast member on "LA Doctors" in 1998. Within weeks of learning that his character was being phased out, he won the part of rookie cop Ty Davis Jr. on "Third Watch."

"I know it's not that easy. I know that's not how the business works for most people. But it worked for me and I don't question it," said Bell, who has relocated from his native Southern California to New York.

"Third Watch" (10 p.m. Monday) follows a tightknit group of New York City police officers, firefighters and paramedics through their tours of duty.

"Right when I read the character, I knew it was for me," he said. "Everything is new for him as he starts on a new part of his life, and that's just where I am."

Bell and his alter ego try to live by the rules. "I try to be a good guy, he tries to be a good guy. I try to be a nice guy, and he tries to be a nice guy," the 24-year-old actor explained.

"Third Watch" is filmed on location throughout the city, and Bell is enjoying every minute of the experience.

"We film 90 percent of the scenes on the street, and we get a pretty cool reaction from people, especially when we're in our uniforms. If they realize we're `Third Watch,' people cheer. Or they think I'm a real cop and they ask me for directions."

There is a "good vibe" on the set, said Bell, and the actors are off-camera friends. But, he added, when a recent scene called for a competitive basketball game among cast members, a heavy dose of "machismo" filled the Harlem YMCA gymnasium. The 6-foot-4-inch Bell held his own on the basketball court, sinking 12 consecutive shots during rehearsal.

Bell joked that because of the show's many action scenes, the casting director should have made physical fitness a requirement for the job.

Wearing an NYPD uniform and chasing pretend criminals down crowded streets has given Bell a much greater appreciation for the job that police officers do, he said.

He calls police work "noble" - and too difficult for him to ever consider.

"`Third Watch' is a dream job. I love to go to work every day," he said. "I just wish everyone would see the show. I think it's that good."

People are beginning to recognize him as a TV star - sort of.

"They usually say, `You look just like that guy from `Third Watch,' but you have glasses,"' said Bell, who wears corrective glasses for astigmatism when he's not filming.

It's strange and awkward to be asked for an autograph, Bell said, but he sees it as a huge compliment.

Bell, the son of a Broadway stage actor, chose television, radio and film production as his major in college. He knew he wanted to work in the entertainment field, but was realistic about the competitiveness for on-camera roles.