Career: Holden went on to star in several minor pictures before serving in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War, where he acted in training films for the First Motion Picture Unit. His big break came when Billy Wilder cast him as screenwriter Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard (1950). The role earned Holden an Academy Award nomination. He went on to star in a number of acclaimed films, including Stalag 17 (1953), Sabrina (1954), Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Wild Bunch (1969), The Towering Inferno (1974) and Network (1976). He won an Academy Award for Stalag 17, and a Primetime Emmy in 1974 for The Blue Knight. He died in his Santa Monica apartment on November 12, 1981 at the age of 63.

Career: Rooney starred as Mickey McGuire between 1927 and 1934, then began appearing in full-length films. He signed to the studio MGM, where he was partnered with Judy Garland for several pictures. He found fame as the character Andy Hardy, playing the role in 18 films until 1946, and made a big-screen name for himself aged 18 when he starred opposite Spencer Tracy in 1938's Boys Town. After working on military radio during the Second World War, Rooney found his career had stalled and he moved into TV and radio work. He created a successful stage show with his wife Jan, and was still working into his nineties. The films made in the twilight of his career included Night at the Museum, The Yesterday Pool and Driving Me Crazy. He made his British pantomime debut in 2007 when he played Baron Hardup in Cinderella. He reprised the role in 2009. Although he never really regained star status, his diligence and longevity earned him several honorary awards and other recognition. He died in Los Angeles on April 6, 2014 at the age of 93.