A tall, soft-spoken and leathery leading man who, since the 1960s, has diversified into directing and producing after achieving iconic status, Clint Eastwood arose from the world of television westerns to become the number-one box-office star in the world, and subsequently earned critical acclaim as a director. His production company, Malpaso, has crafted moderate-budget features that range from mainstream fare to personal and ambitious endeavors. Eastwood is not entirely part of the Hollywood establishment—his business is run out of Carmel, California, on the Monterey Peninsula, where he has also served as mayor and ran a restaurant.

Perhaps no actress had a faster ride to the top than Cameron Diaz, who was launched into stardom with “The Mask” (1994), her first-ever onscreen performance. Though originally slated for a minor role, Diaz won over the movie’s producers with her unique charm and looks, and took on the lead actress role with verve.

 A quirky chanteuse and songwriter who segued successfully from punk rock bands to a post-modern electronica solo career, dark-haired pixiesh Bjork emerged as Iceland's best known export beginning with the sweeping underground success of her band Sugarcubes in 1988. By 2000 the at once childlike and seductive performer had not only conquered the music industry with her inimitable vocal style and disjointed songwriting but had moved into acting, winning the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in Lars von Trier's period musical "Dancer in the Dark".

BIOGRAPHY

Despite his pretty boy looks and movie star charisma, actor Brad Pitt spent most of his career trying to avoid bloated box office leads, in favor of riskier, lower profile roles.