Trivia: Onstage, on television, in the movies or in a serious interview, listening to and watching comedian/actor Robin Williams was an extraordinary experience. An improvisational master with a style comparable to Danny Kaye, his words rushed forth in a gush of manic energy. They punctuated even the most basic story with sudden subject detours that often dissolved into flights of comic fancy, bawdy repartee, and unpredictable celebrity impressions before returning earthward with some pithy comment or dead-on observation.Born in Chicago on July 21st, 1951, Williams was raised as an only child and had much time alone with which to develop his imagination, often by memorizing Jonathan Winters' comedy records. After high school, Williams studied political science at Claremont Men's College, as well as drama at Marin College in California and then at Juilliard. His first real break came when he was cast as a crazy space alien on a fanciful episode of Happy Days. William's portrayal of Mork from Ork delighted audiences and generated so great a response that producer Garry Marshall gave Williams his own sitcom, Mork and Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982. The show was a hit and established Williams as one of the most popular comedians (along with Richard Pryor and Billy Crystal) of the '70s and '80s.Williams made his big screen debut in the title role of Robert Altman's elaborate but financially disastrous comic fantasy Popeye (1980). His next films included the modestly successful The World According to Garp, The Survivors, Moscow on the Hudson, Club Paradise, The Best of Times. Then in 1987, writer-director Barry Levinson drew from both sides of Williams - the manic shtickmeister and the studied Juliard thesp - for Good Morning, Vietnam, in which the comedian-cum-actor portrayed real-life deejay Adrian Cronauer, stationed in Saigon during the late sixties. Levinson shot the film strategically, by encouraging often outrageous, behind-the-mike improvisatory comedy routines for the scenes of Cronauer's broadcasts but evoking more sober dramatizations for Williams's scenes outside of the radio station. Thanks in no small part to this strategy, Williams received a much-deserved Oscar nomination for the role, but lost to Michael Douglas in Wall Street.Williams subsequently tackled a restrained performance as an introverted scientist trying to help a catatonic Robert De Niro in Awakenings (1990). He also earned accolades for playing an inspirational English teacher in the comedy/drama Dead Poets Society (1989) -- a role that earned him his second Oscar nomination. Williams's tragi-comic portrayal of a mad, homeless man in search of salvation and the Holy Grail in The Fisher King (1991) earned him a third nomination. In 1993, he lent his voice to two popular animated movies, Ferngully: The Last Rain Forest and most notably Aladdin, in which he played a rollicking genie and was allowed to go all out with ad-libs, improvs, and scads of celebrity improvisations.Further successes came in 1993 with Mrs. Doubtfire, in which he played a recently divorced father who masquerades as a Scottish nanny to be close to his kids. He had another hit in 1995 playing a rather staid homosexual club owner opposite a hilariously fey Nathan Lane in The Birdcage. In 1997, Williams turned in one of his best dramatic performances in Good Will Hunting, a performance for which he was rewarded with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.Williams kept up his dramatic endeavors with both of his 1998 films: the comedy Patch Adams and What Dreams May Come, a vibrantly colored exploration of the afterlife. He next had starring roles in both Bicentennial Man and Jakob the Liar, playing a robot-turned-human in the former and a prisoner of the Warsaw ghetto in the latter. Though it was obvious to all that Williams' waning film career needed an invigorating breath of fresh air, many may not have expected the dark 180-degree turn he attempted in 2002 with roles in Death to Smoochy, Insomnia and One Hour Photo. Catching audiences off-guard with his portrayal of three deeply disturbed and tortured souls, the roles pointed to a new stage in Williams' career in which he would substitute the sap for more sinister motivations.Absent from the big-screen in 2003, Williams continued his vacation from comedy in 2004, starring in the little-seen thriller The Final Cut and in the David Duchovny-directed melodrama The House of D. After appearing in the comic documentary The Aristocrats and lending his voice to a character in the animated adventure Robots in 2005, he finally returned full-time in 2006 with roles in the vacation laugher RV and the crime comedy Man of the Year. His next project, The Night Listener, was a tense and erosive tale of literary trickery fueled by such serious issues as child abuse and AIDS.Williams wasn't finished with comedy, however. He lent his voice to the cast of the family feature Happy Feet and Happy Feet 2, played a late night talk show host who accidentally wins a presidential election in Man of the Year, portrayed an enthusiastic minister in License to Wed, and played a statue of Teddy Roosevelt that comes to life in Night at the Museum and its sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. He would also enjoy family-friendly comedic turns in World's Greatest Dad, Shrink, and Old Dogs.In 2013, he returned to television, playing the head of an advertising agency in The Crazy Ones; the show did well in the ratings, but was canceled after only one season. He also played yet another president, Dwight Eisenhower, in Lee Daniel's The Butler. Williams died in 2014 at age 63.

Trivia: It is difficult to say which came first, Pink's clever name, or the color of her hair. Regardless of which inspired which, the rock star's glowing neon-pink locks, in combination with her youthful rock & roll sounds, make her name impossible to forget. Pink was born Alecia Moore on September 8, 1979, in Doylestown, PA. She was raised in nearby Philadelphia, where she broke into the music scene at an age defying the laws of curfew, and had released her first solo album (Can't Take Me Home) by the age of 19, in the spring of 2000. Her successful pop music career led to her performance of the song "Lady Marmalade" in the film Moulin Rouge starring Nicole Kidman in 2001. Pink made several television appearances on the MTV Music Awards, and released a performance video, Pink: Most Girls/There You Go, in 2000. In 2002, she appeared in the feature film Rollerball, an action-fantasy film starring Chris Klein, LL Cool J, and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Pink's second album, M!ssundaztood, came out just prior to the film's release, and in 2006 the pop princess continued her acting career as star of the claustrophobic thriller Catacombs, which found her stalked in the dark tunnels beneath the streets of Paris. Two years later, her single So What found Pink at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time in her career.

Trivia: Another member of the Saturday Night Live Screen Actors Guild, Will Ferrell made his major film debut as Steve Butabi, one of the spectacularly clueless brothers who serve as the protagonists of A Night at the Roxbury (1998). The character originated on SNL, where Ferrell had been a regular since 1995, entertaining audiences with his celebrity impressions and such characterizations as Craig the Spartan Cheerleader and junior high-school teacher Marty Culp.Born in Irvine, CA, on July 16, 1967, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in sports information. Following graduation, he worked as a sportscaster on a weekly cable show, but he soon found his interests leaning toward acting and standup comedy. He enrolled in classes and workshops given at a local community college, and after only a year of training, he was invited to join the Groundlings, an infamous L.A. comedy improv group. Ferrell's involvement with the Groundlings led to his SNL discovery; from that point on, the previously unknown comic found himself enjoying growing recognition and a steady paycheck.Although A Night at the Roxbury turned out to be a complete and utter flop, it did little to prevent Ferrell from finding more screen work; the following year, he could be seen as journalist Bob Woodward in Dick and as the object of fellow SNL castmate Molly Shannon's unwanted affection in Superstar. A series of scene-stealing supporting roles followed for Ferrell in such films as Drowning Mona, Zoolander, and, most-notably, Old School. In the 2003 Todd Phillips film, Ferrell sunk his teeth into the role of Frank "The Tank", delivering several lines that would forever be quoted by frat guys the world over.But it was Ferrell's other 2003 film that truly announced his arrival as a Hollywood star. As the oversized titular character in director Jon Favreau's holiday comedy Elf, Ferrell delighted audiences and critics alike, making the modestly-budgeted film a surprise box-office smash.In the wake of Elf's success, Ferrell's 2004 plate was full, starring as fictional '70s TV newscaster Ron Burgundy in Anchorman (a film which had enough outtakes to merit an entire second feature upon being released to home video), taking a role in the Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda, and signing on for lead roles in two long-anticipated projects: the filmed adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's cult novel A Confederacy of Dunces and the big-screen version of the classic sitcom Bewitched. Though the curse that had plagued the big-screen adaptation of Confederacy seemed to persist when, by mid-2006, there still seemed to be no signs that the film would be going before the cameras anytime soon, Ferrell continued to crack-up audiences with a hilarious cameo in the popular Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson comedy Weddng Crashers, as well as a memorable turn in The Producers - a big screen adaptation of the smash Broadway hit that was inspired by Mel Brooks' 1968 comedy classic of the same name. As the 2000's unfolded, it became clear that Ferrell's comic fame could not be matched. He would score box office gold with many movies to comes, such as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Stranger Than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Step-Brothers, Everything Must Go, and The Campaign, in addition to popular runs on TV series like The Office and Eastbound & Down.

Trivia: He was sent like a gift from the basketball gods upon Michael Jordan's (second) retirement from the NBA, labeled "The Chosen One" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 17. Amazingly, LeBron James has more than lived up to the hype brought on by his otherworldly teenage skills. James combines Jordan's intensity and will to win with the court vision and charisma of Magic Johnson, somehow without ever appearing the prima donna. A born showman, he plays to the crowd with high-flying dunk displays in warm-ups, followed by elaborate dances with teammates that go well beyond the standard chest-bumping. While demonstrating early in his career to be very much like Mike (wearing Jordan's No. 23), James shows more promise than Jordan in performing off the court. The affable James enthusiastically showed off his creativity, acting instincts, and dance moves as a 2007 guest host of Saturday Night Live and as co-host (with Jimmy Kimmel) of ESPN's 2007 ESPY Awards. Perhaps "King James'" easiness on stage was forged during his high-profile prep career in Akron, OH, where Kristopher Belman's cameras followed James' every move as a senior while making More Than a Game (2008). The documentary details the heartwarming bond James shared with four longtime classmates as they played the most nationally televised high school season ever.

Trivia: New York-born and bred actress Rosario Dawson made her screen debut in Larry Clark's controversial Kids (1995). Literally picked off the street to play Ruby, one of the film's titular teens, Dawson -- who is of Puerto Rican, Cuban, Black, Irish, and Native American heritage -- had never acted before being cast in the film. Following Kids, she next appeared in Spike Lee's He Got Game (1998) and that same year starred in Side Streets, a series of vignettes about life in New York's five boroughs. Faithful to her New York roots through and through, Dawson has continued to star in films set in her hometown, including Light It Up and Down to You.Soon, Dawson branched into mainstream film, appearing in populist projects like Josie and the Pussycats, Men in Black 2, The Rundown, and the big-screen adaptation of Rent. The actress would also appear in harder films, like Sin City and Death Proof, as well as damanding dramatic roles, like that of a rape victim struggling to recover in Descent.

Trivia: As Saturday Night Live's first-ever female head writer, quick-witted comedian Tina Fey not only shattered the glass ceiling at SNL, but also succeeded in proving that she is one of the most talented comedy writers in the entertainment industry. The Upper Darby, PA, native quickly made her way to Chicago's famed Second City after finishing drama studies at the University of Virginia in 1992, maintaining her livelihood with a job at the local YMCA and rapidly excelling through Second City's exhausting course load. Advised by her instructor to skip forward to the more selective Second City Training Center, Fey took him up on his advice and, though rejected at first, she was eventually accepted into the fold. When Saturday Night Live came to Second City seeking some fresh new talent in 1995, Fey and friend Adam McKay stood out from the pack. It was McKay's prompting that eventually found Fey hired as a writer for the enduring sketch comedy series. In addition to opening the door for her entrance into SNL, her tenure at Second City also found Fey making the acquaintance of future husband Jeff Richmond, who served as director for the Chicago comedy troupe. After joining the cast as a staff writer in 1997, Fey soon made history as SNL's first female writing supervisor two short years later. She was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program three years in a row from 2001-2003, and her mark both behind the scenes and as one-half of the Weekend Update crew (opposite SNL favorite Jimmy Fallon) was unmistakable. When Fallon left SNL in 2004, Amy Poehler took over his position at the news desk, making her and Fey the first two-woman news team in Weekend Update history.In the midst of her hectic schedule at Studio 8H, Fey somehow found time to perform the critically praised two-woman comedy show Dratch and Fey in both Chicago (1999) and New York (2000). Fey's other work has included writing for such programs as the confrontational comedy series The Colin Quinn Show, shown on pay-cable mainstay Comedy Central. If fans had wondered when -- as all high-profile SNL cast members eventually do -- Fey would set her sights on feature films, their curiosity would soon be answered when it was announced that Fey would be writing and appearing in Mean Girls (2004), an adaptation of author Rosalind Wiseman's popular book Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence. The film's combination of high-school realism and smart humor made it a hit with teens and adults alike. As the 2004-2005 season of SNL drew to a close, Fey announced that she wouldn't be returning for the next season, but fans of the writer and comedian didn't stray too far. She would leave the show only to become a bigger star in her own right, creating, writing, and starring in the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, which she both wrote and starred in as the head writer for a popular sketch comedy series. Additionally, Fey would cement her role as the queen of comedy with roles in feature films like Baby Mama and Date Night.

Trivia: One of Scotland's most acclaimed comedians, Craig Ferguson first became known to American audiences as Nigel Wick, Drew Carey's evil boss on The Drew Carey Show. A fixture of the series from 1995, Ferguson won over film audiences four years later with his portrayal of Crawford Mackenzie, an indefatigable but naïve hairdresser intent on competing in the World Freestyle Hairstyling Competition in the mock-documentary The Big Tease.Originally hailing from Glasgow, Ferguson started out as a musician, but gradually segued into comedy via the stage and television. He earned great popularity as the star of a series of self-titled specials on the BBC, and also received positive notices as the lead of the West End revival of The Rocky Horror Pictures Show and Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, which was staged at the Edinburgh Festival. By the mid-'90s, Ferguson decided it was time to move on, to set his sights on grander schemes, and duly moved to L.A. Upon his arrival, he found himself being forced to masticate a particularly large slab of humble pie, as the charm and wit that had earned him so many fans back home did little but translate to open casting calls and endless auditions in Hollywood. Ferguson's luck began to change when he landed the role of Mr. Wick on The Drew Carey Show and he was able to use his initial hard-luck experiences in L.A. as the basis for The Big Tease, which, in addition to starring in, he wrote and executive produced with Sacha Gervasi. The film, which also starred Frances Fisher and contained a pivotal cameo by Carey, was relatively well-received by critics and enjoyed a fairly successful commercial release.Ferguson followed The Big Tease in 2000 with Saving Grace, which Ferguson also co-wrote and co-produced. He would go on to appear in movies like Trust Me, and lend his voice to animated films like How to Train Your Dragon and Winnie the Pooh, but Ferguson would become best known for his late night talk show, The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, beginning in 2005.

Trivia: Voice actor Tom Kenny was born in New York and worked as a standup comedian. After brief roles in the comedy features How I Got Into College and Shakes the Clown, he started doing sketch comedy on the FOX series The Edge. One of his first voice acting gigs was the cow on Rocko's Modern Life. In 1995, he starting writing and acting on the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. It was there that he met his future wife, fellow cast member Jill Talley. After Mr. Show ended, Kenny turned to voice acting full-time with popular Cartoon Network series like Dexter's Laboratory. On The Powerpuff Girls, he provided colorful narration as well as several character voices. Grown-up audiences heard him on Dilbert, Futurama, The Animatrix, or Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights. Though he has dozens of credits to his name, Kenny is probably most well known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants. First aired in 1999 on Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated series about a fry cook who lives at the bottom of the sea. Popular with both young and old audiences, the show became one of the most highly-rated cartoons on TV. Kenny was also the narrator and various other characters on the show, and reprised his role for The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in 2004. The always-in-demand vocal talent performed multiple roles in The Ant Bully, took over the duty of voicing Rabbit in 2011's Winnie the Pooh, and gave Wheelie a voice in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. In 2012 he could be heard in Tim Burton feature length adaptation of his short film Frankenweenie.

Trivia: Appeared in a Shakey's Pizza commercial at the age of 5.Started doing comedy at Gotham City Improv in New York.In 2014, was honored with two awards at the first annual Voice Arts Awards.Rescued her dog, Sir Philip Bumble Pickle Pants, at a mobile station.Supports the Pickle Pants Dog Rescue in Los Angeles and the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM).

Trivia: Best known as housekeeper Pearl Gallagher on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, actress Mary Jo Catlett got her start on the stage, appearing in numerous musicals like Hello Dolly! and Promenade. Moving from the stage to the screen, the comedienne paid her dues in show business during the '70s, appearing on everything from Fantasy Island to The Smurfs. After playing Pearl for four years between 1982 and 1986, Catlett got right back into the habit, wracking up a massive list of appearances throughout the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, even taking on the recurring role of Mrs. Poppy Puff on the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.

Trivia: American actor/writer Brian Doyle-Murray began his professional performing career at Chicago's Second City comedy troupe. Once established, Brian was instrumental in bringing his younger brother Bill into Second City. While Bill Murray's star ascended, Brian stayed busy as a writer and comic character actor. He co-wrote the 1980 comedy hit Caddyshack and had choice supporting roles in such films as Modern Problems (1981), Club Paradise (1986) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). Brian has also appeared to excellent effect in several of his brother Bill's starring features, most recently in the hilarious role of the lugubrious mayor of Punxsutawney in Groundhog Day (1993). One of the staff writers of the earliest years of Saturday Night Live, Brian Doyle-Murray has remained active on television as a guest actor, as a regular on the 1991 sitcom Good Sports, and in such made for TV movies as Babe Ruth (1991).

Trivia: Although probably best known as the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, New York native Robert Smigel's legacy is really more that of a writer. Writing for Saturday Night Live since 1985, he is one of the longest running writers in the show's history, though he's only been producing and acting on it since the '90s. Some of his parodies and sketches include "Superfans" and "The McLaughlin Group." Smigel has also written for Lookwell, The Dana Carvey Show, and Late Night. As an actor, he's had bit parts in such comedies as Wayne's World 2 (1993) and, since then, nearly all of Adam Sandler's movies, including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Little Nicky, and Punch-Drunk Love. His puppet character of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog has transcended O'Brien for wider pastures such as Christmas specials and award shows. Some of Smigel's best work has been in animation. Appearing in tiny bursts on cable and late-night programming, his short cartoon bits include "The Ambiguously Gay Duo," co-created with comedian Stephen Colbert, and "Fun With Real Audio," cartoons which re-imagine popular figures of the day. Smigel eventually had enough bits to launch a whole show as creator, executive producer, and voice actor of TV Funhouse on Comedy Central. Aired in eight episodes from 2000-2001, the show was a hilarious blend of live-action, puppetry, and animation. Smigel is also a voice on Crank Yankers and a writer of many television specials.