Career: Gidget lasted for only one series, but Field proved a hit with TV audiences and in 1967 was given the lead role in the sitcom The Flying Nun, which ran for three years. When that came to an end, she was afraid she would never be taken seriously and signed up to study at the prestigious Actors Studio. In 1976, she won an Emmy for her performance in TV movie Sybill and big-screen success soon followed in Smokey and the Bandit. In 1979, Field picked up the Best Actress Oscar for Norma Rae, going on to win a second five years later for Places in the Heart. Her career has since struggled to reach those heights, but Field has appeared in successful movies including Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump and Say It Isn't So, and in 2001 won an Emmy for her recurring guest role in ER. She has since won further rave reviews for her role in US drama Brothers and Sisters. Her recent credits include Lincoln and The Amazing Spider-Man movies.

Career: After graduating from high school, MacLaine moved to New York and within a year was a star after taking over a lead role in The Pajama Game on Broadway. In 1955, she made her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry. Around the World in 80 Days followed, and in 1958 she received her first Oscar nomination for Some Came Running. Further acting nods came for The Apartment, Irma La Douce and The Turning Point before a win in 1983 for Terms of Endearment. Other notable movies include Being There, Sweet Charity, Steel Magnolias, Postcards from the Edge, Bewitched, In Her Shoes, and acclaimed TV movie Coco Chanel.

Career: After attending Georgia State University, Julia moved to New York to begin her career. She also did some modelling. Her first role was in Blood Red, alongside her brother, in 1986, although it wasn't released for three years. Mystic Pizza was her first notable project in 1988, and a year later she received her first Oscar nomination for Steel Magnolias. Pretty Woman made her a massive star. Hits since then include Flatliners, Sleeping with the Enemy, My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill and Ocean's Eleven. She won an Oscar for Erin Brockovich, becoming Hollywood's highest paid actress in the process.

Career: In 1967, Parton's first hit, Dumb Blonde, impressed local TV icon Porter Wagoner so much he hired her to sing on his show. For the next seven years their duets made them country favourites. Parton's solo single Joshua hit No 1 in America in 1970, and in 1974 she began a run of eight No 1s in six years and had her own TV series. By 1980, Parton was a huge star and made her movie debut in 9 to 5 (she recently backed a musical stage version of the film). Movies since include The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Rhinestone and Steel Magnolias. She continues to record and tour around the world.

Career: McDermott had roles in a number of films early in his career, including Twister (1989), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Jersey Girl (1992). His first break came in 1993 when he was cast in Clint Eastwood's In the Line of Fire. He picked up a Golden Globe for his role in legal drama The Practice. His other movie credits include Miracle on 34th Street (1994), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and Olympus Has Fallen (2013). His recent TV work includes playing different characters in two seasons of American Horror Story.