Career: At 19, Penn began studying acting, and made early TV appearances in Barnaby Jones and Little House on the Prairie. His first film was Taps in 1981. He stole the show in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and At Close Range. Since then, he's starred in Casualties of War, Carlito's Way, Dead Man Walking, I Am Sam, Mystic River, 21 Grams, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, Milk, Fair Game and Gangster Squad. He won Best Actor Oscars for Mystic River and Milk. He has also written, directed, and produced several movies, including Into the Wild. Penn also actively supports a number of political and social causes. He called for George W Bush to be impeached after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Career: Spacey performed stand-up comedy before Kilmer encouraged him to study acting at the Juilliard School. He dropped out two years later, but soon made his Broadway debut in Henry V. He understudied Harvey Keitel in a production of Hurlyburly for director Mike Nichols. The latter then gave him roles in the movies Heartburn and Working Girl. More theatre work followed, until in 1992 the film Glengarry Glen Ross made him an actor to watch. He's won Oscars for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty. Other acclaimed projects include Se7en and LA Confidential. Spacey also starred in Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea, Superman Returns and The Men Who Stare at Goats. He has been the artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre since 2004.

Career: Released in 1993, The Piano was a worldwide success and won three Oscars. Paquin was left speechless when she beat the likes of Emma Thompson and Winona Ryder to win the Best Supporting Actress gong at the 1994 Academy Awards. Paquin then relocated to Los Angeles and won roles in Jane Eyre, She's All That, Amistad and the X-Men films to further boost her reputation. Since 2008, she has starred as telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse in US vampire series True Blood, for which She won a Golden Globe in 2009.

Career: Ryan made her film debut in 1981's Rich and Famous, opposite Candice Bergen. She became a famous face on US TV thanks to a two-year stint on soap As the World Turns. International recognition followed her role in 1986's Top Gun. A year later, Innerspace consolidated her position as a rising star. When Harry Met Sally made her a force to be reckoned with in 1989, and since then, she's appeared in such blockbusters as Sleepless in Seattle, French Kiss, You've Got Mail and controversial thriller In the Cut. Recent projects include The Deal, My Mom's New Boyfriend and The Women.