Acting is an age-old profession that has the power to manipulate our emotions. A good actor can draw us into the world of the playwright and make us laugh or weep. Movies cast actors into roles that define their public personas. A big budget movie with a bad actor can fail. Similarly, a smalltime movie with a good actor can be great to watch. Although Hollywood in California is considered the birthplace of filmmaking, the Indian movie industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is one the largest film producers in the world. The Hindi-language film industry in Mumbai, India is commonly referred to as "Bollywood". Here are some of the most famous faces from films and television.
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Penelope Cruz is a Spanish actress who has won world-wide acclaim. She starred with Salma Hayek in the 2006 film Bandidas. Penelope won an Oscar in 2009 as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. |
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performance in the 1999 Bollywood Hindi movie, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Straight from the Heart), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. |
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Will Smith can do comedies or dramatic roles. The movie Independence Day established his popular appeal. |
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Meryl Streep is a perennial actress who is a veteran of many roles, including "The Devil Wears Prada" |
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Helen Mirren played Queen Elizabeth and detective Jane Tennison in the TV series Prime Suspect. |
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George Clooney is famous for his role in ER, The Perfect Storm, and the hit movie Michael Clayton. |
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Jenniffer Garner became notable as a butt-kicking spy in ALIAS. |
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Sean Connery's role as James Bond in several movies made him a hero in every household. Some of his other films include Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for Red October. |
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Tom Cruise has been the leading man in movies that demand charm and toughness. |
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Angelina Jolie combines sensuality and no nonsense in her roles. |
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Brooke Shields has been in front of a camera lens since childhood. She has starred in films like Blue Lagoon and Midnight Meat Train. |
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Michael Douglas is known for his wit and dynamism. |
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Nicole Kidman is not just a pretty face. Her subtle charm and ability to express emotion set her apart from others. |
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Cameron Diaz's dazzling blue eyes, contagious smile, and gorgeous figure make her a sure bet at the box office. |
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Denzel Washington has played many cinematic roles with great intensity. His major role in the TV series St. Elsewhere made him famous. |
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Leonardo DiCaprio has had great success with hits such as Blood Diamond and Titanic. |
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Keira Knightley starred in Pirates of the Caribbean and received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. |
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Dev Patel star of "Slumdog Millionaire" Won Golden Globe 2009 Best Picture award and 2009 Oscar for Best Picture |
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Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in "The Blind Side" as a mother who helps a homeless teen become a football star. |
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Colin Firth won the 2011 Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in "The King's Speech". |
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Jean Dujardin won a 2012 Oscar for his starring role in "The Artist", a movie in the style of a black-and-white silent film. |