Career: After deciding to become an actor, Stallone struggled to find decent roles. After running out of money and being made homeless he appeared in soft-porn flick The Party at Kitty and Stud's and had bit parts in several mainstream movies before writing Rocky. He persuaded producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler to not only buy it, but also let him star in it. The film was a massive success, won three Oscars and was followed by five sequels. He's directed several other movies and had hits with the Rambo series, Cliffhanger and Cop Land. Other films include a remake of Get Carter, Paradise Alley and Judge Dredd. More recently he's starred alongside other macho stars in The Expendables and its sequel. He was also behind TV series The Contender.

Career: Modine made his TV debut in 1982's Amy and the Angel. His first film, Baby It's You, followed a year later. Roles in Birdy and Mrs Soffel raised his profile, while 1987's Full Metal Jacket made him famous. Movies such as Married to the Mob, Memphis Belle, Pacific Heights, Short Cuts and The Browning Version came next. His other work includes Any Given Sunday, Hitler: The Rise of Evil, Funky Monkey, Transporter 2, Mary, Go Go Tales, The Trial and The Dark Knight Rises. On the stage he has appeared in Arthur Miller's Finishing the Picture, Miller's Resurrection Blues, and The Miracle Worker.