Action movie stars are the heroes and heroines who get our adrenaline pumping. Early action stars include Douglas Fairbanks, the swashbuckling adventurer of the 1920s and '30s; John Wayne, the famous gunslinger of the 1940s and '50s; and Sean Connery, who played the debonair spy Bond—James Bond—in the 1960s. By the 1970s, however, a new maverick action star had hit the silver screen, with rogue cops played by Steve McQueen in Bullitt and Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, as well as the military mercenary Rambo (Sylvester Stallone). By the 1980s, action movies were literally exploding on screen, with big budgets and big stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) and Bruce Willis (Die Hard), leading to today's action-packed blockbusters. Here's a look at some of Hollywood's most famous action movie stars, who have kicked some major butt on the big screen.
Browse notable actors such as Woody Allen, John Belushi, and Steve Buscemi.
Prince William, Sir Paul McCartney, Helen Mirren, George Orwell... Discover unexpected relationships between famous figures when you explore our group of famous British people.
Browse notable film actors such as Brad Pitt, John Barrymore, and Ben Stiller.
Browse notable film producers such as George Abbott, Ridely Scott, and Howard Hawks.
Browse notable filmakers such as Mel Brooks, Stanley Kubrick, and Sam Mendes.
Bond—James Bond—is a pop culture icon who was born out of Ian Fleming's spy novels and introduced to movie fans in 1962 with the release of the first 007 film, Dr. No. Sean Connery, the first actor to play James Bond, embodied the role of the be-tuxed international spy who thwarts international baddies in service to Her Majesty. Connery starred in seven Bond films and passed the keys to Bond's Aston Martin to Australian actor/model George Lazenby (who played Bond in only one film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service) followed by other actors who played the role including Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Here is a look at some of these iconic 007s.
Take a look at famous people named Roger, such as Roger Ebert, Roger Clemens, Roger Daltrey.
Browse notable philanthropists such as John D Rockefeller Jr., Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey.
The American Dream is the notion that, with hard work, any individual can emerge from poor circumstances to a life of wealth and security. Despite the economic ups and downs of modern times, the notion of lifting one's self up is still ingrained in our mindset. Some of our most famous celebrities are, in fact, people who came from nothing. Talent, hard work, and good fortune aligned to make these individuals successful business leaders, actors, athletes and more.
The 1960s were a time of significant cultural and social change in London. The post-World War II era, coined "Swinging London," saw a youth-driven shift in culture, from old to new. Symbolized by famous faces like English supermodels Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy to "British Invasion" rock bands like the Beatles and Cream, the era created a fresh and modern approach to everything from fashion to music to cultural attitudes. Biography.com looks at the inspirational forces behind the "Swinging London" revolution.
Browse notable television actors such as Jason Alexander, Desi Arnaz, and David Cassidy.
United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors are prominent individuals who volunteer to highlight important areas of the U.N.'s work. Actors, athletes, authors and musicians use their celebrity to raise awareness of the issues faced by victims of poverty, famine, and violence worldwide. Goodwill ambassadors make widely publicized visits to the world's most troubled locales, and make appeals on behalf of their people. Here are some of the stars who use their famous names to promote causes close to their hearts.