Considered a British cultural icon, Ian McKellen is one of the most respected and decorated actors of all time. An openly gay actor, his work as an LGBT activist has been as impressive as his illustrious acting career. At the 1991 New Year Honours, he was knighted for services to performing arts.
Comedian Stan Laurel entertained audiences as part of the iconic duo Laurel and Hardy, along with Oliver Hardy, in over 100 films. He began his career with music-hall sketch comedy and worked as an understudy of Charlie Chaplin in Fred Karno's Army. He was known for his trademark bowler hat.
J. J. Thomson was a British physicist credited with the discovery of the electron, the first subatomic particle to be discovered. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906 for his work on the conduction of electricity in gases. In 1884, he was appointed Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge.
Anna Friel is a British actress who gained international recognition after portraying Charlotte "Chuck" Charles on the popular American fantasy mystery TV series Pushing Daisies. After starting her professional acting career at the age of 13, Friel went on to establish herself as a successful adult actress. Friel also serves as an ambassador for The World Wide Fund for Nature.
British actress, Siobhan Finneran, is best known for her role in the play On the Shore of the Wide World, for which she received a Manchester Evening News Theater Award. She aspired to be an actress from a young age and completed a theater studies course before beginning her career. She is also active on TV and in films.
Ted Koppel is an American broadcast journalist who contributed immensely to the success of the popular late-night television news program Nightline, working as its anchor from 1980 to 2005. Considered one of the most remarkable among the serious-minded interviewers on TV, Ted Koppel has won several prestigious awards, including 42 Emmy Awards and nine Overseas Press Club awards.
Roy Kinnear was a British actor known for playing important roles in Richard Lester's films, such as Help!, How I Won the War, and The Three Musketeers. Kinnear died in an accident while filming the 1989 sequel of The Three Musketeers. In 1994, the 'Roy Kinnear Trust' was founded in his honor. The foundation aims at helping differently-abled young adults.
J. Bruce Ismay was an English businessman. He served as managing director and chairman of the popular shipping company White Star Line, which operated the ill-fated passenger liner RMS Titanic. In 1912, Ismay was subjected to severe criticism after surviving the sinking of the Titanic. In the 1997 film Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay was played by actor Jonathan Hyde.
Initially known as Herman in the beat, rock, and pop group Herman’s Hermits, English musician Peter Noone later gained fame as a solo singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist. Known for tracks such as Oh! You Pretty Things and his signature crooked teeth, he later led the group the Tremblers, too.
Johnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. Characterized by his Lancashire accent, husky voice, surreal humor, and portly figure, Vegas has appeared in several TV series, such as Happiness, Ideal, and Benidorm. A multi-talented personality, Johnny Vegas has also received praise for his ceramic art and his work is showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Leonora Carrington was a Mexican artist, novelist, and surrealist painter. During the 1970s, Carrington played an important role in Mexico's women's liberation movement as she was one of the founding members of the movement. Carrington, who was fascinated by symbolism and myth, studied alchemy, Popol Vuh, post-classic Mayan mystical writings, and the kabbalah.
Michael Hurst is a British-born New Zealand film director, actor, and writer. He is best known for his portrayal of Iolaus in American TV series like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. As a director, Michael Hurst is renowned for directing popular TV series like Spartacus and Legend of the Seeker.