Ben Stiller, an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker

 Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is the son of the comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Stiller was a member of a group of comedic actors colloquially known as the Frat Pack. His films have grossed more than $2.6 billion in Canada and the United States, with an average of $79 million per film.[2] Throughout his career, he has received various awards and honors, including an Emmy Award, multiple MTV Movie Awards, a Britannia Award and a Teen Choice Award.

Jessica Ann Simpson, an American singer and actress

Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American singer and actress. After performing in church choirs as a child, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997, aged seventeen. Her debut studio album, Sweet Kisses (1999), sold two million copies in the United States and saw the commercial success of the single "I Wanna Love You Forever". Simpson adopted a more mature image for her second studio album, Irresistible (2001), and its title track became her second top 20 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, while the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In This Skin (2003), Simpson's third studio album, sold three million copies in the United States.

 

Kim Novak, Hollywood 'sex goddess' in the 1950's

Marilyn Pauline "Kim" Novak (born February 13, 1933) is a retired American film and television actress.

She began her film career in 1954 after signing with Columbia Pictures. There she starred in a string of movies, among them the well received Picnic (1955). She later starred in such films as The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) and Pal Joey (1957). However, she is perhaps Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo (1958) with James Stewart. Novak enjoyed box-office success and starred opposite several prominent leading men of the era, including Fred MacMurray, William Holden, Frank Sinatra, Tyrone Power, Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Harvey.
best known today for her performance as Madeline Elster/Judy Barton in
Although still only in her mid-30s, Novak withdrew from acting in 1966, and has only sporadically worked in films since. She appeared in The Mirror Crack'd (1980), and had a regular role on the primetime series Falcon Crest (1986–87).^[2] After a disappointing experience during the filming of Liebestraum (1991), she permanently retired from acting, stating she had no desire to return.^[3] Her contributions to world cinema have been honored with two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame among others. She works as a visual artist.
Columbia intended for Novak to be their successor to Rita Hayworth, their biggest star of the 1940s, whose career had declined; also, the studio was hopeful that Novak would bring them the same box-office success Marilyn Monroe brought 20th Century-Fox. Novak's first role for the studio was in the film noir Pushover (1954), in which she received third billing below Fred MacMurray and Philip Carey. She then co-starred in the romantic comedy Phffft (1954) as Janis, a character who finds Robert Tracey (Jack Lemmon) "real cute". Both films were reasonably successful at the box office, and Novak received favorable reviews for her performances. In her third feature film, 5 Against the House (1955), a gritty crime drama, she received equal billing with Guy Madison. It was only a minor critical and box-office success.
She then played Madge Owens in the film version of Picnic (1955), from the William Inge play, co-starring William Holden and Rosalind Russell. Its director, Joshua Logan, felt that it would be more in character for Novak to have red hair; she agreed to wear a red wig during filming. Picnic was a resounding critical and box-office triumph, and Novak won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer. She was also nominated for BAFTA Film Award for Best Foreign Actress, but did not win. She appeared as a mystery guest on the game show What's My Line? on February 5, 1956, to promote the film's opening at the Radio City Music Hall. Director Otto Preminger then cast her in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), in which she played Frank Sinatra's sultry ex-girlfriend. In a cast which included Eleanor Parker, Novak received praise for being one of the film's bright spots, and the film was a box-office hit.  Novak's next project, The Eddy Duchin Story (1956), cast her as Marjorie Oelrichs, the wife of pianist Eddy Duchin, played by Tyrone Power. Because the two leads did not get along during filming, Novak nearly considered backing out of the production, but decided against it. At the time of its release, the film was a critical and box-office hit, with many suggesting that Novak's advertisements for No-Cal diet soda contributed positively to the film's success. Offered a choice for her next project, she selected the biopic Jeanne Eagels (1957), in which she portrayed the stage and silent-screen actress who was addicted to heroin. Co-starring Jeff Chandler, the film was a largely fictional account of Eagels' life. Eagels' family sued Columbia over the way Eagels had been depicted in the movie.^[17]
After appearing in a series of successful movies, Novak became one of the biggest box-office draws of 1957 and 1958. Columbia then placed her in a film adaptation of Pal Joey (also 1957), based on the 1940 novel and Broadway play, both written by John O'Hara. Playing Linda English, a naive showgirl, she again co-starred opposite Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth. Released in October, the film received favorable reviews; Variety called the film "strong, funny entertainment," although Novak's performance has generated a mixed reaction, partly because of noticeable lack of on-screen charisma. The movie was a box-office hit and has been considered one of Novak's better performances.

Vin Diesel, an American actor and film producer

Mark Sinclair (born July 18, 1967), known professionally as Vin Diesel, is an American actor and film producer. One of the world's highest-grossing actors, he is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Diesel began his career in 1990, but faced difficulty achieving recognition until he wrote, directed and starred in the short film Multi-Facial (1995) and his debut feature Strays (1997); the films prompted Steven Spielberg to cast Diesel in the war epic Saving Private Ryan (1998). Diesel subsequently voiced the titular character in The Iron Giant (1999) and then gained a reputation as an action star after headlining the Fast & Furious, XXX, and The Chronicles of Riddick franchises.

 

Anjelica Huston is an American actress and director

 Anjelica Huston is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for three British Academy Film Awards and six Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2010, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Brie Larson, a Canadian and American actress

Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers (born October 1, 1989), known professionally as Brie Larson, is a Canadian and American actress. Known for her supporting roles in comedies as a teenager, she has since expanded to leading roles in independent films and blockbusters. Larson is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019.

 

Cameron Diaz, an American actress

 Cameron Michelle Diaz (born August 30, 1972) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including nominations for four Golden Globe Awards and a British Academy Film Award. As of 2018, her films have grossed over $3 billion in the U.S., making her the fifth-highest-grossing actress at the domestic box office.Diaz's roles in comedies and romances cemented her as a sex symbol and a bankable star, and she was named the highest-paid Hollywood actress over 40 in 2013.

Mihai Leu aka Michael Loewe, a former professional boxer that held the WBO welterweight title in 1997

Mihai Leu also known as Michael Loewe (born 13 February 1969, in Hunedoara) is a Romanian former professional boxer who competed between 1991 and 1997. He held the WBO welterweight title in 1997.

Leu retired after one title defense, against Michael Carruth, becoming the third European boxer to retire as an undefeated world champion, after Jack McAuliffe and Terry Marsh. Due to an injury, he was forced to abandon boxing but unwilling to give up the world of sports, he turned to be a rally driver. He later became a national rally champion.

In 1998 he started his new career at the wheel of a Ford Ka and after only three years, he managed to become Romania's rally vice-champion. He had already participated in rallying before, having made his debut in 1994, at the Banat Rally, in a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Piero Ferrari, an Italian billionaire businessman and sport personality

Piero Lardi Ferrari (born 22 May 1945) is an Italian billionaire businessman and sport personality. He is the second and only living son of Enzo Ferrari, and a 10.23% owner of the Ferrari automotive company, of which he is the vice chairman. He owns 13.2% of the Ferretti Group. As of August 2022, his net worth was estimated at US$4.6 billion.

In 1998, Ferrari teamed up with José Di Mase and purchased Piaggio Aero Engineering with the idea of bringing Piaggio back to its roots as a designer and producer of business aircraft. Ferrari was nominated president. He resigned in 2015 when he sold the final 1.95% of his shares to Mubadala Development Company. The connection proved fruitful as Ferrari was then able to persuade Mubadala to become a title sponsor of the Ferrari Formula One Team the following year. Ferrari is also the chairman of HPE COXA, a company he founded in 1998 with the aim of providing high end engineering services in the mechanical field. In 2009 HPE acquired COXA, a manufacturing firm founded in 1985 and specialized in the high precision manufacturing of niche volumes and prototypes.

Following Ferrari's IPO on 21 October 2015, his 10% stake was valued at US$1.1 billion. On 28 April 2016, he entered into the Ferretti Group with 13.2% of shares. In May 2019, he was ranked by Forbes at number 838 in the world's billionaires list with a net worth of $3.1 billion.  Also in 2019, he acquired the first mega yacht built by Riva that launched the new superyacht division of the Ferretti Group. In April 2020, he was ranked by Forbes at number 680 in the world's billionaires list with a net worth of $3.4 billion.In December 2020, his stake increased in Ferrari up to 10.23%. In June 2021, he was ranked by Forbes at number 705 in the world's billionaires list with a net worth of $4.7 billion.

 

David Suchet, an actor that played the role of Agatha Christie's Poirot in 70 TV adaptations!

 David Suchet stepped into Poirot's shoes in 1989 in the TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot, marking the beginning of a 24-year long career playing the famous sleuth. He played the role in a total of 70 TV adaptations!

Mircea Baniciu, un cântăreț și chitarist român. S-a remarcat în muzica românească la începutul anilor '70 când a devenit solist vocal al formației rock Phoenix

Mircea Baniciu (n. 31 iulie 1949, Timișoara) este un cântăreț și chitarist român. S-a remarcat în muzica românească la începutul anilor '70 când a devenit solist vocal al formației rock Phoenix. După fuga colegilor săi din țară în 1977, începe o carieră solo, timp în care scoate pe piață un EP și 4 albume. În 1992 a fondat trupa Pasărea Colibri, alături de Florian Pittiș, Mircea Vintilă și Vlady Cnejevici, cu care a cântat zece ani, răstimp în care au apărut pe piață 5 albume și un DVD. În 2002 revine în trupa Phoenix cu ocazia concertului aniversar Phoenix 40 de ani. În toamna anului 2007 părăsește din nou Phoenix pentru a-și continua cariera solo și pentru a înființa în 2014 supergrupul Pasărea Rock.

La începutul anilor '70 Mircea Baniciu cânta ca folkist în cluburile din Timișoara. Cu această ocazie este văzut de Nicu Covaci și Günther Reininger, doi dintre membrii grupului Phoenix, care erau în cautarea unui solist vocal, și hotărăsc să-l coopteze în formație. Mircea Baniciu debutează în Phoenix în anul 1971 când susține câteva spectacole în care sunt prezentate piese precum Nunta, Negru Vodă, Iarna. Aceste piese au fost ulterior înregistrate pe albumul Cei ce ne-au dat nume, apărut în 1972, în componența: Nicu Covaci, Mircea Baniciu, Josef Kappl, Costin Petrescu și Valeriu Sepi.
Continuarea vine în 1973 cu EP-ul Meșterul Manole, apoi, în 1974, cu Mugur de fluier, unde apar câteva dintre hiturile absolute ale grupului Phoenix: Mica țiganiadă, Ochii negri, ochi de țigan, Mugur de fluier și Andrii Popa, care a devenit aproape un imn național^{[necesită citare]}. Andrii Popa este singura compoziție de Mircea Baniciu apărută în discografia Phoenix, despre care artistul povestește ca a apărut din întâmplare pe disc, datorită faptului că la „înregistrările din Electrecord trebuia să completăm discul cu 4 minute”.
Cantafabule a apărut în 1975 și este considerat până astăzi cea mai importantă operă rock a României. Trupa Phoenix s-a retras, de toamna până primăvara, în munții Semenic pentru a compune piesele de pe acest album, iar când au ajuns în studio, în locul lui Costin Petrescu, a fost adus de Covaci la baterie Ovidiu Lipan „Țăndărică”.
În primăvara anului 1977, o parte dintre membrii trupei Phoenix, adică Nicu Covaci, Ovidiu Lipan, Josef Kappl și Erlend Krauser, fug din țară, reușind să treacă granița ascunși în boxele Marshall. Mircea Baniciu a rămas în țară, susținând ulterior ca nu a fost anunțat de această plecare. A continuat să cânte piesele Phoenix și după plecarea lui Nicu Covaci, deși a fost, în nenumărate rânduri, anchetat de Securitate.

Juan Pablo Villalobos, a Mexican writer and entrepreneur. He is the author of Down the Rabbit Hole (And Other Stories, 2011), which was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award 2011

Juan Pablo Villalobos is a Mexican writer and entrepreneur. He is the author of Down the Rabbit Hole (And Other Stories, 2011), which was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award 2011, and Quesadillas (And Other Stories, 2013).

Villalobos was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1973. He lived in Barcelona, Spain for eight years, before moving to Brazil.
He studied marketing and Spanish literature. He has worked in market research and published travel stories, as well as literary and film criticism. Villalobos has researched the influence of the avant-garde on the work of César Aira, and the flexibility of pipelines for electrical installations.

Villalobos's first book, Fiesta en la madriguera, has been translated into Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Romanian, Dutch and English. Its English translation, Down the Rabbit Hole by Rosalind Harvey, was published in September 2011 by the London publishing house And Other Stories. Down the Rabbit Hole was shortlisted for the 2011 Guardian First Book Award.
His second novel, Quesadillas, is also translated by Rosalind Harvey and is set to be published by And Other Stories in 2013.

 Villalobos has said that his first book was inspired by Nellie Campobello's collection of short stories set during the Mexican revolution, titled Cartridge.
 In Germany, Villalobos is recognized as an important representative of the so-called 'narco-literature'. His book Fiesta en la madriguera has been called "a disillusioned domestic tale from the dark heartland of Latin American machismo"

Down the Rabbit Hole, by Juan Pablo Villalobos, was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award 2011 and the Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize 2012.

Tochtli lives in a palace. He loves hats, samurai, guillotines and dictionaries, and what he wants more than anything right now is a new pet for his private zoo: a pygmy hippopotamus from Liberia. But Tochtli is a child whose father is a drug baron on the verge of taking over a powerful cartel, and Tochtli is growing up in a luxury hideout that he shares with hit men, prostitutes, dealers, servants and the odd corrupt politician or two.
Down the Rabbit Hole, a masterful and darkly comic first novel, is the chronicle of a delirious journey to grant a child’s wish.