A former professional boxer who reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion for three years, Mike Tyson is considered a colossal figure in boxing. Claiming his first heavyweight title at the young age of 20, he went on to become one of the best heavyweights of all time. Also a controversial person, he was once imprisoned on rape charges.
JK Rowling’s story is that of rags-to-riches. She is the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series, which have sold more than 500 million copies and is the best-selling book series in history. She also writes crime fiction albeit under a pen name. Rowling supports many charities and has founded Lumos, an international NGO, working for children.
Helena Bonham Carter is an English actress who is known for her performances in independent films and huge blockbusters. Some of her notable films are The Wings of the Dove, The King's Speech, Hamlet, Howards End, Fight Club, Les Misérables . She was also part of the Harry Potter series. She was bestowed with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2012.
A member of the prominent Jackson family, Janet Jackson is a singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Popularly known for her innovative and socially conscious songs, she was considered a sex icon in her youth. Beginning her career as a teenager, she went on to become one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time.
Jeffrey Morgan is an American actor who shot to fame with television series Supernatural and Grey’s Anatomy. But it was his role in movie, Watchmen, and the still running zombie horror series, The Walking Dead, that really made him a star. Jeffrey wanted o be a basketball player but an injury ended his sports dream and turned him towards acting.
One of the most popular comedic actors of his generation, Ben Stiller is part of the famous group The Frat Pack – he has been described as the leader of the group, which involves names like Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Steve Carell. A popular and successful actor, his movies have grossed over $2.6 billion in the USA and Canada.
Mads Mikkelsen is a Danish actor best known for his portrayal of Le Chiffre in the 2006 spy film Casino Royale, which earned him international recognition. One of the most celebrated and decorated Danish actors of his generation, Mads Mikkelsen has received several prestigious awards such as the Bodil Award, European Film Academy Achievement award, and Cannes Film Festival Award.
Widely regarded as the Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain is the best-selling female artist in the history of country music, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She is also one of the best-selling music artists ever. According to Billboard, Shania Twain is the 13th Greatest Music Video Female Solo Artist ever.
Former professional basketball player, Scottie Pippen, is best known for his stint with the Chicago Bulls with who he won six NBA championships. Considered one of the greatest small forwards of all time, he played a key role in transforming the Bulls into one of the most formidable forces in NBA in the 1990s.
Rick Astley went from being a high-school drop-out and a driver, to becoming a music sensation. He turned into a global phenomenon with his 1987 track Never Gonna Give You Up, which topped charts in 25 countries. Years later, in 2007, the video was part of the viral meme “rickrolling.”
Born to veteran actor Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen began acting at an early age and later became a big star with movies like Platoon and Wall Street and television shows like Spin City and Two and a Half Men. The actor has also been in news for his alcoholism, drug abuse issues and violent behaviour towards women in his life.
Best known for her role in the NBC Daytime soap opera Santa Barbara, actress Robin Wright is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Satellite Award. Beginning her career as a model, she eventually transitioned into acting. She is currently one of the highest-paid actresses in US.
Patrick Dempsey is an actor and racecar driver. Despite achieving considerable success as an actor, Patrick Dempsey enjoys auto racing more. A vintage car and sports car collector, Dempsey has competed in events, such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Baja 1000. Dempsey is also known for his philanthropic workS.
Rainn Wilson is an actor and writer who used his popularity to make his YouTube channel, SoulPancake, a success. Also a climate change advocate, Wilson made a documentary titled The Idiot’s Guide to Climate Change, based on his trip to Greenland. He is known for his charitable works and has adopted a vegan diet since adopting Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.
John Cusack started his career as a teen actor. He is known for his unconventional choice of films. Grosse Pointe Blank, Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, The Raven and The Grifters are some of his notable films. He is also known as an activist and has often taken a strong stand on issues like war, drone usage, civil liberties, press freedom and whistleblowers.
Téa Leoni went on to establish a successful acting career in the American entertainment industry after landing her breakthrough role in the action comedy movie Bad Boys. Such was her popularity in the 1990s that an asteroid was named after her in 1993. Also known for her humanitarian work, Téa Leoni was named a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in 2001.
Bjork is an Icelandic singer, record producer, songwriter, DJ, and actress. She is best known for her association with the now-defunct yet popular band, The Sugarcubes. The bestselling Icelandic singer-songwriter of all time, Bjork was named in Time magazine's most influential people in the world list in 2015. Over the course of her illustrious career, Bjork has received several awards.
Professional basketball coach and former player, Steve Kerr, is currently the head coach of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. He has won five NBA titles as a player and three as a head coach. He has been immensely successful as a coach, helping his team break the record for the most wins in an NBA season.
Sunita Williams is an American US Navy officer and astronaut. She formerly held the records for most spacewalk time for a woman and most spacewalks by a woman. In 2007, she became the first person to run a marathon in space. She has several honors under her belt, including a NASA Spaceflight Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.
Kyra Sedgwick is a popular American filmmaker and actress. Such is her popularity as a TV actress that Kyra Sedgwick started earning around US$300,000 per episode in 2007. Among many other prestigious awards, such as an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, she has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Eric Cantona is a French actor, filmmaker, and former football player. During his playing career, Cantona was a key player for the popular football club Manchester United and is often credited with reviving the club's reputation as a footballing force. Nicknamed King Eric by Manchester United fans, Eric Cantona continues to enjoy an iconic status within the club.
Marlee Matlin is an American actress and author. Her portrayal of Sarah Norman in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the only deaf performer to have received an Oscar. Apart from being an accomplished actress, Matlin is also an important member of the National Association of the Deaf.
William Zabka is an actor best known for his role as Johnny Lawrence in the film The Karate Kid. He started attending California State University but quit before completing his degree. He began his acting career in the mid-1980s and established himself in Hollywood within a few years. He turned a producer with the short film Most in 2003.
Kyle Chandler is an American actor who received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Eric Taylor in the sports drama TV series Friday Night Lights. Apart from acting, Chandler volunteers as a firefighter. He also raises funds to help football players with spinal cord injuries by taking part in a charity golf tournament that takes place every year.
Referred to as King of Bollywood and King Khan in the media, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan is considered one of the most successful film stars of the Hindi film indusrty. Beginning his career as a TV actor, he struggled for many years before making it big as a Hindi film star.
J.J. Abrams is an American filmmaker and screenwriter. He is credited with creating television series like Felicity, Alias, Lost, and Fringe. Among his most prominent contribution to the film industry are films like Mission: Impossible III and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which he directed. Apart from being a director, Abrams also works closely with an anti-corruption organization called RepresentUs.
Billy Zane is an American actor best known for portraying Caledon Hockley in the 1997 epic romance film Titanic. He then went on to play a crucial role in the success of films, such as The Believer, which was showcased at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize.
Julianna Margulies is an actress popular for playing Carol Hathaway on the medical drama TV series ER. Over the years, Margulies has contributed immensely to the American TV industry for which she has been honored with prestigious awards, such as Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2015, she was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list.
Canadian former professional ice hockey player Mario Lemieux spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing parts of 17 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons. A gifted playmaker and fast skater, he is considered to be one of the best players of all time. With a 0.754 career goals-per-game average, he ranks second in NHL history, behind only Mike Bossy.
Apart from being one of the most popular American actresses, Cynthia Nixon is also a well-known activist. Being an openly bisexual actress, she also serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ community. Cynthia is a cancer survivor and continues to inspire people affected with cancer.
Nancy McKeon is an American actress known for researching her characters and roles. For instance, she spent several hours with a police force before playing Jinny Exstead in the police procedural drama TV series The Division. Also known for her skills as a dancer, McKeon competed in the 2018 season of Dancing with the Stars.
Bryan Holland, or Dexter Holland, formed the rock band The Offspring, of which he is also the lead singer and guitarist. A virologist, too, he also attained a PhD in molecular biology from USC. He is also a certified pilot and works for charitable causes such as AIDS awareness.
The wife of NBA star Dell Curry and the mother of basketball players Seth and Stephen Curry, Sonya Curry grew up amid poverty and often had racist encounters with the Ku Klux Klan. Once a star volleyball player at Virginia Tech, she now heads the Christian Montessori School founded by her.
Embeth Davidtz is a South-African American actress known for playing important roles in popular movies, such as Schindler's List and Fracture. She also serves as an inspiration to those fighting against cancer as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, for which she had to undergo a mastectomy.