Career: After several TV roles, Hanks made the transition to movies and became one of the biggest stars of the past three decades. His breakthrough came in 1984's Splash, and was followed by hit after hit, including Bachelor Party and Dragnet. When he took the lead in Oscar-nominated Big in 1988, he transformed a simple comedy into something much more powerful, before truly proving his acting credentials with an Oscar-winning turn as an Aids-afflicted laweyer in Philadeplhia. He gave terrific turns in romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle, then another Oscar followed for Forrest Gump. Many expected him to garner a third for Saving Private Ryan. He has been a successful director of several projects and helped bring iconic TV projects like Band of Brothers to the screen. Recent hits include The Da Vinci Code and its follow-up, and the Toy Story films.

Career: Known predominately for his stage career, Rylance has starred in a number of Shakespearean productions, including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, As You Like It and Macbeth. He became the first Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in 1995 and continued this role until 2005. While he was there, he directed and starred in a number of productions. He has won Olivier Awards for Much Ado About Nothing, and Jerusalem, and Tony Awards for Boeing Boeing, Jerusalem, and Twelfth Night. His film credits include Prospero's Books (1991), Angels and Insects (1995), Intimacy (2001), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), Blitz (2011) and Anonymous (2011). More recently, he starred in the BBC drama Wolf Hall.

Career: Alda was interested in performing from an early age, appearing in numerous plays and on TV in Amsterdam alongside his father. Movies and US series including The Phil Silvers Show, Route 66 and The Mephisto Waltz followed, but landing the role of Hawkeye Pierce in the TV version of MASH made him a household name. The programme ran from 1972 to 1983, and was a smash hit across the globe. He also directed and wrote several episodes, winning Emmys for his work. He has written and directed movies and continued to act in such projects as ER, The West Wing, Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), The Aviator (2004), 30 Rock, Law & Order: LA, The Big C and The Blacklist.

Career: Spielberg's 1971 thriller Duel paved the way for feature film The Sugarland Express, a modest hit. In 1975, Jaws started a long run of successes, including the Indiana Jones films, ET, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. He also co-founded studio Dreamworks SKG, which has backed various hits, including Shrek, American Beauty and Gladiator. Spielberg's recent films include The Terminal, Munich and War of the Worlds. He has also worked as the producer on a string of hit films, including The Goonies, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the Back to the Future trilogy, the Transformers trilogy, and True Grit. His recent work includes The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, War Horse and Lincoln. He won an Oscar for Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List and an honorary award in 1987.