Victor Hugo   France : The exponent of freedom and liberty Born : 1802      Died : 1885 Victor Hugo was the literary giant of the nineteenth century. Even now, intellectuals study his writings and find it topical. He was an immortal writer as also a good painter. He was the writer who was a firm believer in freedom of thought and through his poems and novels he gave a new turn...

Bruce Lee   America : Master of martial arts Born : 1940 Died : 1973 The sudden demise of Bruce Lee on July 20, 1973 created a sensation throughout the world. It was nearly unbelievable that such a healthy and fit person expired so suddenly. At the time of his death, he was sitting with his girlfriend Betty Ting Pei and planning his new film. The Government of Hong Kong appointed...

Marlon Brando   Britain : The highest paid superstar Born : 1924 Marlon Brando is considered an extremely talented actor whose natural acting won him many laurels. He won the prestigious Oscar Award twice for his powerful acting in On the Waterfront (1954) and The Godfather (1972). He has acted with all-time greats of Hollywood like Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, John Houston, Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra....

Alfred Hitchcock   England : Master of suspense Born : 1899      Died : 1980 Alfred Hitchcock, the very name conjures up suspense and horror in the minds of movie-goers all over the world. The spectators sat on the edge of their seats as the plot of his films unfolded, shocked and thrilled them at every turn of the story. This Master of Suspense was born in England in 1899....

Ronald Reagan   America: A ‘B’ class actor & politician Born : 1911 Ronald Reagan is the most conspicuous example of a film actor striding the world stage as a successful statesman. For two decades, he remained the central character in world’s diplomacy and grim political scenario and was elected 35th President of the United States for two consecutive terms from 1980 to 1988. Born on February 6, 1911 at Illinois...

Sean Connery   England: James Bond – 007  Born : 1930 If there is an actor who completely submerged his identity into the character he played on the screen, it is Sean Connery. The role of Agent 007-James Bond fitted him like a glove and his portrayal of a dashing, cunning, romantic and resourceful secret agent won him innumerable fans throughout the world. One could never think of another person playing...

Sophia Loren   Italy: Hollywood superstar Born : 1934 This Hollywood superstar had s very humble beginnings. Born to an  unmarried mother, she rose to the top with her own efforts taking advantage of opportunities that came her way. Eventually, she was hailed as an actress of rare talents. She was named Laila in her childhood. Later, she adopted the names Sophia Siccolin, Sophia Lazaro and finally Sophia Loren. She was...