Career: While appearing in the award-winning play The House of Blue Leaves in 1989, he made a spoof version of The Color of Money. It was so funny that US satire revue Saturday Night Live bought it and offered Stiller a regular spot. But when he was given his own show it flopped. He then made ends meet with a series of guest roles on TV and saved enough money to make the film Reality Bites, which he both directed and starred in. He also directed Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy, but got his big acting break in 1998's There's Something About Mary. Since then, he's starred in films such as Meet the Parents, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. He has also appeared in Night at the Museum, its sequels and seemingly endless comedy hits.

Career: Gugino had a recurring role in the soap opera Falcon Crest and played Michael J Fox's love interest during the first season of the sitcom Spin City. She is perhaps best known for playing family matriarch Ingrid Cortez in three Sky Kids films (2001-2003). She played the title role in short-lived crime drama Karen Sisco and played the lead role in another short-lived project, sci-fi drama Threshold. More recently, she has starred on the big screen in Watchman (2009), Race to Witch Mountain (2009), Sucker Punch (2011), Mr Popper's Penguins (2011) and San Andreas (2015). Her TV credits include recurring roles in Californication, Political Animals, Wayward Pines, and The Brink.

Career: After his business failed, Van Dyke was a radio announcer for a local station and performed comedy routines. His popularity led to him being signed by CBS. After making his TV acting debut in The Phil Silvers Show, he hosted several long-forgotten game shows before hitting the big time with Broadway hits The Girls Against the Boys and Bye Bye Birdie. That led to The Dick Van Dyke Show, which was a smash hit and ran for five years. Among his other famous projects are Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Van Dyke and Company, and Diagnosis Murder. He continues to act.

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.

Career: Gervais started out in radio on Xfm, where he met Stephen Merchant, who would become his writing partner. His first taste of stardom came via Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show. Tongue-in-cheek chat show, Meet Ricky Gervais, paved the way for BBC sitcom The Office. Extras, Life is Short and An Idiot Abroad (featuring his sidekick Karl Pilkington) have also been TV hits. He's also continued to work on radio, done stand-up, wrote the children's books Flanimals, worked on The Simpsons, appeared in various Hollywood movies and wrote and directed (with Merchant) as well as appeared in the film Cemetery Junction. Gervais has won many awards, including several Baftas, Emmys and Golden Globes. His most recent project is the Channel 4 comedy Derek, in which he stars as well as directing and writing each episode.

Career: Williams started out as a stand-up comedian, making his TV debut in 1977 on The Richard Pryor Show. His big break came playing the alien Mork in Happy Days, and its hugely successful spin-off Mork and Mindy. Movie success was difficult to come by, despite starring roles in Popeye and The World According to Garp. His first box-office hit was 1987's Good Morning Vietnam. Success in Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Awakenings and Mrs Doubtfire followed. He was also the voice of the genie in Disney's popular animated film Aladdin. He went on to win an Academy Award for Good Will Hunting in 1997. He followed that up with critically acclaimed fare such as Insomnia and One Hour Photo, and a one-man Broadway show. His other film credits include the Night at the Museum franchise. He returned to TV in 2013 in the sitcom The Crazy Ones. After a long battle with depression, he took his own life on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63.