Career: Warren's TV debut came in a 1957 episode of Kraft Television Theatre. He had a recurring role in series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and gained acclaim on Broadway before hitting the big time with his first film, Splendor in the Grass. His debut movie as producer, 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, was a critical and commercial success. Since then, his output has been sporadic and at times disappointing. Highlights include McCabe and Mrs Miller, Heaven Can Wait (his first film as writer, director and star), The Parallax View, Shampoo, Reds (for which he won the Best Director Oscar), Dick Tracy, Bugsy and Bulworth.

Career: Dunaway landed her first starring role, in a stage production of A Man for All Seasons, just days after graduating from university. Her TV debut was in a 1965 episode of Seaway, and her first film, Hurry Sundown, was released two years later. She became a household name thanks to Bonnie and Clyde, and followed it with such hits as The Thomas Crown Affair, Chinatown, The Towering Inferno, Network (for which she won an Oscar) and The Champ. Her films in the 1980s and 1990s weren't as successful, although she had a cameo role in the Thomas Crown remake.

Career: After making the decision to get into acting in 1956, Hackman joined the Pasadena Playhouse in California (where incidentally, he struck up a friendship with Dustin Hoffman). After performances in several off-Broadway plays, Hackman's first movie was Lilith alongside Warren Beatty, who then cast him in his breakthrough film, Bonnie and Clyde. Hackman was soon in demand, showcasing his talents in everything from comedy (in Young Frankenstein) to villainy (as Lex Luthor in Superman). He's also won two Oscars - Best Actor for The French Connection, and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven. He retired from acting in 2004 to concentrate on writing novels.

Career: Wilder made his professional debut in 1961 in an off-Broadway production of Roots, and continued to work to great acclaim on stage until 1966 when he appeared on TV in Death of a Salesman. A year later he made his first film, Bonnie and Clyde. In 1968 The Producers made him a star, and cemented his working relationship with writer-director Mel Brooks. Other major hits include the 1971 adaptation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and his four films with Richard Pryor, including Stir Crazy. He also wrote, directed and starred in The Woman in Red and Haunted Honeymoon. He published an autobiography in 2005, and followed this up with the novels My French Whore in 2007, The Woman Who Wouldn't in 2008, What Is This Thing Called Love in 2010 and Something to Remember You By in 2013. He died on August 29, 2016 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.