Career: Allen grew tired of simply writing, and decided to try stand-up. He proved successful, then moved into films, both penning and appearing in What's New Pussycat? in 1965. Since then he's become one of the world's most prolific film-makers, writing, directing and starring in such movies as Manhattan, Mighty Aphrodite and Everyone Says I Love You. He's been nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar 13 times, winning for Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters. More recent hits include You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Midnight in Paris, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Blue Jasmine.

Career: Stone made her film debut in Woody Allen's Stardust Memories in 1980. She appeared in a host of hit-and-miss offerings, including King Solomon's Mines and Action Jackson before 1990 blockbuster Total Recall boosted her image. Stone became a household name two years later thanks to her role as bisexual novelist Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct, a part she reprised for a sequel in 2005. She received an Oscar nomination for her role in Martin Scorsese's Casino, and co-produced and starred in Western The Quick and the Dead. More recent projects include Bobby, Lovelace and TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2010.

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: 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: For the next few years, Walken appeared in musical productions. After 1966's Barefoot in Athens, small roles in The Anderson Tapes and Annie Hall followed. His big break came in 1978 when he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Deer Hunter. He's been in demand ever since. Other films include A View to a Kill, Batman Returns, True Romance, Pulp Fiction and Catch Me If You Can. He continues to be an in-demand character actor, excelling in both comedy and serious drama. Dancing in Fat Boy Slim video Weapon of Choice introduced him to a new generation of fans. More recent work includes Wedding Crashers, Man of the Year, Hairspray and Seven Psychopaths.

Career: Lopez had small roles in films My Little Girl and Lambada before her big break came with a two-year stint in TV comedy series In Living Color. She toured as a dancer with Janet Jackson and appeared in several other TV shows. She then starred on the big screen in My Family, Money Train, Jack, and Blood and Wine. Playing the title role in 1997's Selena proved Lopez was more than just a pretty face, while Out of Sight and The Wedding Planner turned her into box-office gold. Movies since include Maid in Manhattan, Monster-in-Law and the much-maligned Gigli. After a three-year break from movies, she returned in 2010 romantic comedy The Back-Up Plan. She has been a judge on several American Idol series and is a hugely successful recording artist with numerous hit albums, singles and tours to her name.

Career: Aykroyd met John Belushi in Chicago and introduced him to the blues before the pair appeared as The Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live. He worked on the show between 1975 and 1979. Steven Spielberg cast him in his flop war comedy 1941, and a year later he and Belushi starred in a big-screen comedy featuring their Blues Brothers characters. They reunited for flop Neighbors before Belushi's death in 1982. Following the smash hit Trading Places, Aykroyd wrote and starred in 1984 hit Ghostbusters. A string of projects followed, including Spies Like Us, Dragnet, Driving Miss Daisy, Grosse Pointe Blank and 50 First Dates. He lent his vocal talents to the 3D Yogi Bear movie, working alongside pop star Justin Timberlake, and makes regular cameo appearances.

Career: Following some stage work, he made his film debut in 1979's Escape from Alcatraz. Later the same year he had a small role in an episode of Lou Grant - his first TV appearance. A regular role in the series Palmerstown, USA came soon after. Other projects followed, and by the mid-1980s he was a familiar face to audiences thanks to Places in the Heart, Witness, Lonesome Dove (for which he received an Emmy nomination) and The Color Purple. The first Lethal Weapon movie made him a household name. He's appeared in all three sequels. He has also appeared in The Royal Tenenbaums and Be Kind Rewind, and gave an award-winning turn in disaster movie 2012.