Emma Thompson stands out as a multi-talented talent in acting and screenwriting. With two Oscars and a lifelong commitment to drama, she inspires audiences worldwide. Discover little-known facts about her career, activism, and iconic roles that highlight her unique presence in Hollywood and British theatre.
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is the only person to win Academy Awards for both acting and screenwriting.
She wrote the screenplay for Sense and Sensibility (1995) in just six weeks, which won her an Oscar.
Her two Oscars were presented by her frequent co-star Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Emma’s parents were actors Eric Thompson and Phyllida Law, giving her a theatrical upbringing.
She is a skilled member of the Cambridge Footlights, where she honed her comedy early in her career.
In the late 1980s, she gained attention for her performances in the BBC series Tutti Frutti and Fortunes of War.
Emma declined an offer to star in James Bond films multiple times, preferring to focus on dramatic roles.
She won a BAFTA for Best Actress for her role in Howards End (1992), a role that solidified her film career.
Emma Thompson famously reprised her role as Professor McGonagall in multiple Harry Potter films, becoming a favorite among fans.
She has a distinct voice and narrated the film Nanny McPhee (2005) while also starring in it.
Emma’s environmental activism includes voicing strong support for climate change initiatives and sustainable living.
She adapted and starred in the dark comedy Nanny McPhee based on a children’s book by Christianna Brand.
Emma Thompson won an Emmy for her guest role on Ellen in 1998, a rare comedic foray for the dramatic actress.
She has played roles in multiple Shakespearean films, including Much Ado About Nothing and Love Actually.
In 2018, Emma was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire for her contributions to drama.
Bryan Cranston achieved critical and popular acclaim portraying Walter White in Breaking Bad, earning multiple Emmy wins. With a versatile career spanning comedy, drama, film, and stage, Cranston is a celebrated actor and director.
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Lee Cranston was born on March 7, 1956, in Hollywood, California.
He rose to stardom for his iconic portrayal of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin, in the AMC series Breaking Bad (2008–2013).
Cranston won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times for Breaking Bad (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014).
Before Breaking Bad, he gained fame as the humorous and quirky Hal on Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006), earning multiple Emmy nominations.
Cranston began acting in commercials and guest-starring TV roles as a child, developing his craft over decades.
His film roles include Saving Private Ryan (1998), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Drive (2011), Contagion (2011), and Trumbo (2015), where he portrayed screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.
Bryan Cranston received Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations for his role in Trumbo.
On stage, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way (2013) and later for Network (2019).
He has directed episodes of TV shows including Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, and Sneaky Pete.
Bryan Cranston narrated the documentary Apollo 11 and voiced characters in animated films like Isle of Dogs (2018).
He starred in the crime drama series Sneaky Pete (2015–2019) and Your Honor (2020–2023).
Cranston is known for his deep voice, intense character work, and ability to transition between comedy and drama seamlessly.
Despite fame, he remains known for his humility and dedication to craft.
Bryan Cranston was nominated for and won several awards for both his acting and directing work over his career.
Beyond acting, he is active in charity work and mentorship within the industry.
Brad Pitt is a Hollywood heartthrob and an Oscar-winning producer. However, his path to stardom involved humble beginnings and strange jobs. For instance, he dressed as a giant chicken to attract customers to a restaurant before he found fame. Furthermore, he studied journalism in college but dropped out two weeks before graduation. Consequently, his risk-taking nature defined his career. Therefore, get ready to meet the man behind the sunglasses. You will view him differently.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt wore a chicken suit for a living. Before he became an actor, he dressed as a giant yellow chicken to wave at cars for El Pollo Loco in Los Angeles.
China banned him for nearly twenty years. Because the government disliked his movie Seven Years in Tibet, officials forbade him from entering the country until 2016.
He voluntarily chipped his tooth for Fight Club. Specifically, he visited a dentist to remove a piece of his front tooth so his character, Tyler Durden, looked tougher.
He dropped out of college two weeks before graduation. Although he studied journalism at the University of Missouri, he left just days before the ceremony to pursue acting.
He injured his Achilles tendon while playing Achilles. Ironically, he tore the tendon in his heel during the filming of Troy, which delayed the production for months.
Brad Pitt is a passionate architect. In fact, he took informal lessons from the legendary architect Frank Gehry and even designed eco-friendly houses in New Orleans.
He speaks with a mumble in Snatch for a reason. Because he struggled to master the specific London accent, he convinced the director to let him use an unintelligible dialect instead.
He owns a successful winery. Along with his former partner, he purchased Château Miraval in France, and the estate produces award-winning rosé wine.
George Clooney lost a major role to him. apparently, Clooney auditioned five times for the role of J.D. in Thelma & Louise, but the director chose Pitt.
He is a licensed pilot. Consequently, he owns a vintage Supermarine Spitfire from World War II and enjoys flying it personally.
He checked himself into a psychiatric ward for research. To prepare for his role in 12 Monkeys, he spent time in a Philadelphia hospital to understand the patients’ experiences.
He debuted as a sculptor in Finland. Recently, he displayed his own plaster and bronze sculptures at a museum in Tampere, surprising the art world.
Plan B Entertainment is his creation. remarkably, his production company produced Best Picture winners like Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave, and The Departed.
He saved a fan from a crushing crowd. During filming in majestic Gran Canaria, he noticed a young girl struggling against a barrier and pulled her to safety.
Finally, he won his first acting Oscar recently. Although he won as a producer before, he finally took home the Best Supporting Actor trophy for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
