Profiles of the performers who shape the screen and stage: their craft, their breakthroughs and the discipline behind the fame.
A two-time Oscar nominee from Benin who overcame poverty and homelessness, Djimon Hounsou became a powerful presence in Hollywood and a proud African voice. This is his story.
Known for The Walking Dead and Black Panther and celebrated as a playwright, Danai Gurira is a Zimbabwean-American artist of rare range and purpose. This is her story.
From The Wire to the Creed and Black Panther films, Michael B. Jordan became one of Hollywood's most compelling leading men and a producer-director shaping the industry. This is his story.
A British-Nigerian actor who rose from the London indie film Attack the Block to global fame in the Star Wars sequels, John Boyega is one of his generation's most compelling talents. This is his story.
An Oscar-winning actor known for Mr. Robot and his portrayal of Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek became one of the most distinctive talents of his generation. This is his story.
An award-winning actress, producer and director, Genevieve Nnaji became the face of Nollywood and a pioneer who carried Nigerian cinema onto the global stage. This is her story.
An Academy Award winner who transforms herself completely for every role, Charlize Theron rose from a farm near Johannesburg to the heights of Hollywood. This is her story.
From teen idol to Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp built one of the most distinctive careers in modern cinema. This is his story.
From Risky Business to the record-breaking Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise has spent four decades as one of the most bankable and dedicated stars in film history. This is his story.
From civil rights activist to recovering addict to the most commercially successful actor of all time, Samuel L. Jackson took an extraordinary road to stardom. This is his story.