Glenn Close Glenn Close ( born March 19 , 1947 ) is an American actress , singer and film producer . With an acting career spanning over 40 years , she has been consistently acclaimed for her versatility and is widely regarded as one of the finest actresses of her generation . She has won three Emmy Awards , three Tony Awards , four Golden Globe Awards , and has received six Academy Award nominations .   Close began her professional stage career in 1974 in Love for Love , and was mostly a New York stage actress through the rest of the 1970s and early 1980s , appearing in both plays and musicals , including the Broadway productions of Barnum in 1980 and The Real Thing in 1983 , for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play . Her film debut was in The World According to Garp ( 1982 ) , which she followed up with supporting roles in The Big Chill ( 1983 ) and The Natural ( 1984 ) ; all three earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress . She would later receive nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in Fatal Attraction ( 1987 ) , Dangerous Liaisons ( 1988 ) and Albert Nobbs ( 2011 ) . She won two more Tony Awards in the 1990s , for Death and the Maiden in 1992 and Sunset Boulevard in 1995 , while she won her first Emmy Award for the 1995 TV film Serving in Silence : The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story .   She starred as Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 2003 TV film The Lion in Winter , winning a Golden Globe Award . In 2005 , she starred in the drama series The Shield . Then , from 2007 to 2012 , she starred as Patty Hewes in the FX drama series Damages , a role that won her a Golden Globe and two Emmys . She has voiced the character of Mona Simpson in the animated sitcom The Simpsons since 1995 . She returned to Broadway in November 2014 , in a revival of Edward Albee 's A Delicate Balance . Her other films include Jagged Edge ( 1985 ) , Hamlet ( 1990 ) , Reversal of Fortune ( 1990 ) , 101 Dalmatians ( 1996 ) , Paradise Road ( 1997 ) , Air Force One ( 1997 ) , Cookie 's Fortune ( 1999 ) , Heights ( 2005 ) , Guardians of the Galaxy ( 2014 ) and The Girl With All The Gifts ( 2016 ) .   Close is a six-time Academy Award nominee , tying the record for being the actress with the most nominations never to have won ( along with Deborah Kerr and Thelma Ritter ) . As of 2016 , Close has more Oscar nominations without a win than any other living actor . In addition , she has been nominated for four Tonys ( three wins ) , fourteen Emmys ( three wins ) , thirteen Golden Globes ( two wins ) , two Drama Desk Awards ( one win ) and eight Screen Actors Guild Awards ( one win ) . She has also won an Obie award and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and a BAFTA . Close has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame .


The Big Chill stars an award nominated actor.

Lawrence Kasdan Lawrence Edward Kasdan ( born January 14 , 1949 ) is an American screenwriter , director and producer . He is best known as co-writer of the films The Empire Strikes Back , Raiders of the Lost Ark , and Return of the Jedi . Kasdan co-wrote the Star Wars sequel trilogy film Star Wars : The Force Awakens , and will co-write the series ' Han Solo spin-off film .   He has been nominated for three Oscars : twice for Best Original Screenplay for The Big Chill and Grand Canyon and once for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Accidental Tourist . He is the father of directors Jake Kasdan and Jon Kasdan , and the father-in-law of musician Inara George .


Western Romance languages Western Romance languages are one of the two subdivisions of a proposed subdivision of the Romance languages based on the La Spezia -- Rimini line . They include the Gallo-Romance and Iberian-Romance branches as well as northern Italian . The subdivision is based solely on the use of the `` s '' for pluralization and the weakening of some consonants , but that makes the categorization highly problematic because there is much higher lexical similarity between all dialects of Italian and French than between French and Spanish . There is also much higher morphological similarity between Spanish and Italian dialects than between Italian and French .   Based on mutual intelligibility , Dalby counts a dozen languages : Portuguese , Spanish , Asturian-Leonese , Aragonese , Catalan , Gascon , Provençal , Gallo-Wallon , French , Franco-Provençal , Romansh , and Ladin . This classification criterion is however problematic , due to the much higher levels of mutual intelligibility between Italic and Iberian languages than between either of these with Gallo-Romance languages .   Some classifications include Italo-Dalmatian ; the resulting clade is generally called Italo-Western Romance . Other classifications place Italo-Dalmatian with Eastern Romance .   Sardinian does not fit into either Western or Eastern Romance , and may have split off before either .   Today the four most-widely spoken standardized Western Romance languages are Spanish ( c. 410 million native ) , Portuguese ( c. 220 million native , another 45 million or so second-language speakers , mainly in Lusophone Africa ) , French ( c. 75 million native speakers , another 70 million or so second-language speakers , mostly in Francophone Africa ) , and Catalan ( c. 7.2 million native ) . Many of these languages have large numbers of non-native speakers ; this is especially the case for French , in widespread use throughout West Africa as a lingua franca .


Houston economy is incapable of having a base in manufacturing.

Houston Houston ( -LSB- ˈhjuːstən -RSB- ) is the most populous city in the state of Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States . With a census-estimated 2014 population of 2.239 million within an area of 667 sqmi , it is also the largest city in the southern United States and the seat of Harris County . Located in Southeast Texas near the Gulf of Mexico , it is the principal city of the Greater Houston metro area , which is the fifth-most populated MSA in the United States .   Houston was founded on August 28 , 1836 , near the banks of Buffalo Bayou ( now known as Allen 's Landing ) and incorporated as a city on June 5 , 1837 . The city was named after former General Sam Houston , who was president of the Republic of Texas and had commanded and won at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 mi east of where the city was established . The burgeoning port and railroad industry , combined with oil discovery in 1901 , has induced continual surges in the city 's population . In the mid-20th century , Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center -- the world 's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions -- and NASA 's Johnson Space Center , where the Mission Control Center is located .   Houston 's economy has a broad industrial base in energy , manufacturing , aeronautics , and transportation . Leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment , outside of New York City , Houston has more Fortune 500 headquarters than any other U.S. municipality within its city limits . The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled . Nicknamed the `` Space City '' , Houston is a global city , with strengths in business , international trade , entertainment , culture , media , fashion , science , sports , technology , education , medicine , and research . The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community . Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S. . It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits , which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District . Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts .


Jemaine Clement Jemaine Clement ( born 10 January 1974 ) is a New Zealand comedian , actor , voice actor , singer , writer , director , and multi-instrumentalist , known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Bret McKenzie .


U.S. state A U.S. state is a constituent political entity of the United States of America . There are 50 states , which are bound together in a union with each other . Each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a defined geographic territory , and shares its sovereignty with the United States federal government . Due to the shared sovereignty between each state and the federal government , Americans are citizens of both the federal republic and of the state in which they reside . State citizenship and residency are flexible , and no government approval is required to move between states , except for persons covered by certain types of court orders ( e.g. , paroled convicts and children of divorced spouses who are sharing custody ) .   States range in population from just under 600,000 ( Wyoming ) to over 39 million ( California ) , and in area from 1214 sqmi ( Rhode Island ) to 663268 sqmi ( Alaska ) . Four states use the term commonwealth rather than state in their full official names .   States are divided into counties or county-equivalents , which may be assigned some local governmental authority but are not sovereign . County or county-equivalent structure varies widely by state . State governments are allocated power by the people ( of each respective state ) through their individual constitutions . All are grounded in republican principles , and each provides for a government , consisting of three branches : executive , legislative , and judicial .   States possess a number of powers and rights under the United States Constitution ; among them ratifying constitutional amendments . Historically , the tasks of local law enforcement , public education , public health , regulating intrastate commerce , and local transportation and infrastructure have generally been considered primarily state responsibilities , although all of these now have significant federal funding and regulation as well . Over time , the U.S. Constitution has been amended , and the interpretation and application of its provisions have changed . The general tendency has been toward centralization and incorporation , with the federal government playing a much larger role than it once did . There is a continuing debate over states ' rights , which concerns the extent and nature of the states ' powers and sovereignty in relation to the federal government and the rights of individuals .   States and their residents are represented in the federal Congress , a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives . Each state is represented in the Senate by two senators , and is guaranteed at least one Representative in the House . Representatives are elected from single-member districts ; seats in the House are distributed among the states in proportion to the most recent constitutionally mandated decennial census . Each state is also entitled to select a number of electors to vote in the Electoral College , the body that elects the President of the United States , equal to the total of representatives and senators from that state .   The Constitution grants to Congress the authority to admit new states into the Union . Since the establishment of the United States in 1776 , the number of states has expanded from the original 13 to 50 . Alaska and Hawaii are the most recent states admitted , both in 1959 .   The Constitution is silent on the question of whether states have the power to secede ( withdraw ) from the Union . Shortly after the Civil War , the U.S. Supreme Court , in Texas v. White , held that a state can not unilaterally do so .


Hawaii Hawaii ( -LSB- langpronaudio = en-us-Hawaii . ogghəˈwaɪ.i , _ - ji , _ - ʔi -RSB- ; Hawai -LSB- - hawhəˈvɐjʔi -RSB- ) is the 50th and most recent state to have joined the United States of America , having received statehood on August 21 , 1959 . Hawaii is the only U.S. state located in Oceania and the only one composed entirely of islands . It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia , occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean . Hawaii is the only U.S. state not located in the Americas .   The state encompasses nearly the entire volcanic Hawaiian archipelago , which comprises hundreds of islands spread over 1500 mi . At the southeastern end of the archipelago , the eight main islands are -- in order from northwest to southeast : Niihau , Kauai , Oahu , Molokai , Lānai , Kahoolawe , Maui , and the Island of Hawaii . The last is the largest island in the group ; it is often called the `` Big Island '' or `` Hawaii Island '' to avoid confusion with the state or archipelago . The archipelago is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania .   Hawaii 's diverse natural scenery , warm tropical climate , abundance of public beaches , oceanic surroundings , and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists , surfers , biologists , and volcanologists . Because of its central location in the Pacific and 19th-century labor migration , Hawaii 's culture is strongly influenced by North American and Asian cultures , in addition to its indigenous Hawaiian culture . Hawaii has over a million permanent residents , along with many visitors and U.S. military personnel . Its capital is Honolulu on the island of Oahu .   Hawaii is the 8th-smallest and the 11th-least populous , but the 13th-most densely populated of the fifty U.S. states . It is the only state with an Asian plurality . The state 's coastline is about 750 mi long , the fourth longest in the U.S. after the coastlines of Alaska , Florida , and California .


Hairspray sold more than 1,200,000 copies in the USA.

Hairspray (2007 soundtrack) Hairspray : Soundtrack to the Motion Picture is the soundtrack album for the 2007 New Line Cinema musical film Hairspray . The film is an adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name , itself adapted from John Waters 's original 1988 film . It features performances from the film 's cast , which includes John Travolta , Michelle Pfeiffer , Christopher Walken , Amanda Bynes , James Marsden , Queen Latifah , Brittany Snow , Zac Efron , Elijah Kelley , and Nikki Blonsky as the lead character of Tracy Turnblad .   The album has sold upwards of 1,200,000 copies in the USA , and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA .


Inhumans is an upcoming television series.

Inhumans (TV series) Marvel 's Inhumans , or simply Inhumans , is an upcoming American television series developed for ABC , based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name . It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) , sharing continuity with the films and other television series of the franchise . The series is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television , with IMAX Corporation as a financing partner and Scott Buck serving as showrunner .   The series is centered around Black Bolt , with Anson Mount in the role , and other members of the Inhuman Royal Family . A film from Marvel Studios based on the Inhumans began development in 2011 , before being announced in October 2014 for a November 2018 release as part of their Phase Three slate of films . The species was first introduced to the MCU in the second season of Marvel 's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , and the film was subsequently removed from Marvel Studios ' release schedule in April 2016 . Inhumans was announced in November , to be partly filmed on IMAX digital cameras and to be the first live-action television series to debut on IMAX screens . Buck joined the series the next month . Mount was cast in February 2017 , with Iwan Rheon , Serinda Swan , Eme Ikwuakor , Isabelle Cornish , Ken Leung , Ellen Woglom , Sonya Balmores , and Mike Moh also starring in the series . Filming began in March 2017 , at the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point airfield in Kalaeloa , Hawaii .   Inhumans is set to debut on IMAX screens on September 1 , 2017 , and run for two weeks , before premiering on ABC on September 22 , and airing eight episodes .


Rob Lowe Robert Hepler Lowe ( -LSB- ˈloʊ -RSB- born March 17 , 1964 ) is an American actor . He came to prominence in the 1980s , playing teen and young adult roles in films such as The Outsiders ( 1983 ) , Oxford Blues ( 1984 ) , St. Elmo 's Fire ( 1985 ) , and About Last Night ... ( 1986 ) . However , he continued acting in less prominent film roles , and went on to high-profile roles in television series such as The West Wing ( 1999 -- 2003 ) , Brothers & Sisters ( 2006 -- 2010 ) , and Parks and Recreation ( 2010 -- 2014 ) .   In addition to receiving an Emmy Award nomination in 2001 for his work on The West Wing , Lowe has been nominated for six Golden Globe Awards ; his nominations span four of the seven categories for male actors .


Joey Graceffa Joseph Michael `` Joey '' Graceffa ( -LSB- grəˈsɛfə -RSB- born May 16 , 1991 ) is an American YouTube personality , actor , author , producer , and singer . He has two active YouTube channels , both of which are named after him . One of them is for vlogging and the other is used for video gaming content . They both have a combined total of more than 1.6 billion views . His other YouTube channel , which he no longer uses , called WinterSpringPro , has 60 million views ( as of May 2017 ) . He was a contestant on 22nd and 24th seasons of The Amazing Race and has appeared in short films ( as web films ) and short web television series on YouTube and its subscription-only service YouTube Red .


Before We Go was the first movie Chris Evans directed.

Before We Go Before We Go ( previously titled 1:30 Train ) is a 2014 American independent romantic drama film directed by Chris Evans in his directorial debut , and starring Evans , Alice Eve and Mark Kassen . The film had its world premiere in the special presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival . The film was released on video on demand on July 21 , 2015 , and had a limited release on September 4 , 2015 in the United States by Radius-TWC .


Dave Bautista stars in The Man with the Iron Fists.

The Man with the Iron Fists The Man with the Iron Fists is a 2012 American martial arts film directed by RZA and written by RZA and Eli Roth . The film stars RZA , Russell Crowe , Cung Le , Lucy Liu , Byron Mann , Rick Yune , Dave Bautista , and Jamie Chung . Set in 19th century China , the story follows a series of lone warriors who are forced to unite to defeat a common foe and save their home of Jungle Village .   Development began in 2005 when RZA shared his idea for the film with Roth . After nearly two years of development , Roth and RZA secured financial backing in May 2010 . Filming began in December 2010 on a $ 15 million budget and concluded by March 2011 . The film was shot in Shanghai and at other locations in China . RZA and Howard Drossin composed the film 's musical score , and RZA produced its soundtrack , which featured several new songs by various artists . A series of concerts featuring music from the soundtrack were held to promote the film .   The film was released in North America on November 2 , 2012 . Critics were divided over the film 's homage to martial arts films , considering it well-choreographed and representative of the genre , but offering nothing original , and the direction was criticized for a lack of refinement . The performances of Crowe and Mann were well received . The film earned $ 19 million at the box office .


Daniel Craig Daniel Wroughton Craig ( born 2 March 1968 ) is an English actor . He trained at the National Youth Theatre and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1991 , before beginning his career on stage . His film debut was in the drama The Power of One ( 1992 ) . Other early appearances were in the Disney family film A Kid in King Arthur 's Court ( 1995 ) and the biographical film Elizabeth ( 1998 ) , as well as in the historical war drama television series Sharpe 's Eagle ( 1993 ) and the action-adventure drama series Zorro . Cast as the fictional British secret agent James Bond in October 2005 , his first film in the role , Casino Royale , was released internationally in November 2006 .   Craig 's appearances in the British television film Love Is the Devil : Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon ( 1998 ) , the indie war film The Trench ( 1999 ) , and the drama Some Voices ( 2000 ) attracted the film industry 's attention . This led to roles in bigger productions such as the action film Lara Croft : Tomb Raider ( 2001 ) , the crime thriller Road to Perdition ( 2002 ) , the crime thriller Layer Cake ( 2004 ) , and the Steven Spielberg historical drama Munich ( 2005 ) . Craig achieved international fame when chosen as the sixth actor to play the role of Ian Fleming 's James Bond in the official film series , taking over from Pierce Brosnan in 2005 . Although his casting was initially greeted with scepticism , his debut was highly acclaimed and earned him a BAFTA award nomination , with Casino Royale becoming the highest-grossing in the series at the time . Quantum of Solace followed two years later .   Craig 's third Bond film , Skyfall , premiered in 2012 and is currently the highest-grossing film in the series , was the highest-grossing film in the UK until 2015 and the fifteenth highest-grossing film of all time . Craig 's fourth Bond film , Spectre , premiered in 2015 . In 2006 , he joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Since taking the role of Bond , he has continued to star in other films , including the World War II film Defiance ( 2008 ) , science fiction Western Cowboys & Aliens ( 2010 ) , and the English-language adaptation of Stieg Larsson 's mystery thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ( 2011 ) . Craig also made a guest appearance as Bond in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games , alongside Queen Elizabeth II . As of 20 February 2017 , Craig is the second longest serving James Bond , surpassed only by Roger Moore .


Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons is an American rock band from Las Vegas , Nevada , consisting of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds , lead guitarist Wayne Sermon , bassist Ben McKee , and drummer Daniel Platzman . The band first gained exposure in 2012 with the releases of their debut studio album Night Visions and its first single `` It 's Time '' . Billboard placed them at the top of their `` Year In Rock '' rankings for 2013 , and named them their `` Breakthrough Band of 2013 '' . Rolling Stone named their single `` Radioactive '' from Night Visions the `` biggest rock hit of the year '' , and MTV called them `` the year 's biggest breakout band '' . Night Visions peaked at number two on the weekly US Billboard 200 chart and the UK Albums Chart . The band 's second studio album Smoke + Mirrors was released in 2015 , and reached number one in the US , Canada and the UK .   Imagine Dragons has won two American Music Awards for Favorite Alternative Artist , a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance , five Billboard Music Awards , and a World Music Award . In May 2014 , the band was nominated for a total of fourteen different Billboard Music Awards , including Top Artist of the Year and a Milestone Award , which recognizes innovation and creativity of artists across different genres . As of January 2017 , Imagine Dragons have sold 9 million albums and 27 million singles worldwide .


Cheyenne Jackson has been in multiple films.

Cheyenne Jackson Cheyenne David Jackson ( born July 12 , 1975 ) is an American actor and singer-songwriter . His credits include leading roles in Broadway musicals and other stage roles , as well as film and television roles , concert singing , and music recordings .   After beginning his acting career in regional theatre in Seattle , he moved to New York and was an understudy in Thoroughly Modern Millie ( 2002 ) and Aida ( 2003 ) . He next originated the role of Matthew in Altar Boyz ( 2004 ) . Jackson 's first leading role on Broadway was in All Shook Up ( 2005 ) , which earned him a Theatre World Award for `` Outstanding Broadway Debut . '' Since then , on the New York stage , he has starred in The Agony & the Agony ( 2006 ) , Xanadu ( 2007 ; Drama League , Drama Desk nominations ) , Damn Yankees ( 2008 ) , Finian 's Rainbow ( 2010 ; Drama Desk nomination ) , 8 ( 2011 ) , The Heart of the Matter ( 2012 ) and The Performers ( 2013 ) .   He has also appeared in a number of films , including the 2006 Academy Award-nominated United 93 , in which his portrayal of Mark Bingham earned him the Boston Society of Film Critics 2006 award for Best Ensemble Cast . He also had a leading role in the 2014 independent romantic comedy ensemble , Mutual Friends , and guest roles in television series such as NBC 's 30 Rock and Fox 's Glee . Most recently , Jackson starred in the FX Horror-anthology , American Horror Story , in its fifth and sixth seasons .   In concert , Jackson has sold out Carnegie Hall twice : The Power of Two in 2010 and Music of the Mad Men Era in 2011 . He also performs in cabaret . In addition to his Broadway cast albums , he has released three albums of popular music , including a joint album called The Power of Two with Michael Feinstein in 2008 . In 2012 , Jackson released two singles , `` Drive '' and `` Before You '' , from his 2013 album I 'm Blue , Skies . In 2016 , Jackson released his latest album , Renaissance , an album adapted and expanded from his solo concert Music of the Mad Men Era .


Al Capone was prosecuted for a federal offense.

Al Capone Alphonse Gabriel Capone ( -LSB- æl_kəˈpoʊn -RSB- January 17 , 1899 -- January 25 , 1947 ) , sometimes known by the nickname Scarface , was an American gangster who attained fame during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit . His seven-year reign as crime boss ended when he was 33 years old .   Capone was born in Brooklyn in New York City to Italian immigrants . He was considered a Five Points Gang member who became a bouncer in organized crime premises such as brothels . In his early twenties , he moved to Chicago and became bodyguard and trusted factotum for Johnny Torrio , head of a criminal syndicate that illegally supplied alcohol -- the forerunner of the Outfit -- and that was politically protected through the Unione Siciliana . A conflict with the North Side Gang was instrumental in Capone 's rise and fall . Torrio went into retirement after North Side gunmen almost killed him , handing control to Capone . Capone expanded the bootlegging business through increasingly violent means , but his mutually profitable relationships with mayor William Hale Thompson and the city 's police meant that Capone seemed safe from law enforcement .   Capone apparently reveled in attention , such as the cheers from spectators when he appeared at ball games . He made donations to various charities and was viewed by many to be a `` modern-day Robin Hood '' . However , the Saint Valentine 's Day Massacre of gang rivals , resulting in the killing of seven men in broad daylight , damaged Chicago 's image -- as well as Capone 's -- leading influential citizens to demand governmental action and newspapers to dub him `` Public Enemy No. 1 '' .   The federal authorities became intent on jailing Capone , and they prosecuted him for tax evasion in 1931 , a federal crime and a novel strategy during the era . During the highly publicized case , the judge admitted as evidence Capone 's admissions of his income and unpaid taxes during prior ( and ultimately abortive ) negotiations to pay the government any back taxes he owed . Capone was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison . After conviction , he replaced his old defense team with experts in tax law , and his grounds for appeal were strengthened by a Supreme Court ruling , but his appeal ultimately failed .   He was already showing signs of syphilitic dementia early in his sentence , and he became increasingly debilitated before being released after eight years . On January 25 , 1947 , Capone died of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke .


Karl Urban was in a film directed by J.J. Abrams.

Karl Urban Karl-Heinz Urban ( born 7 June 1972 ) is a New Zealand actor . He is best known for playing Julius Caesar and Cupid in Xena : Warrior Princess and Hercules : The Legendary Journeys , Éomer in the second and third installments of Peter Jackson 's The Lord of the Rings trilogy , Vaako in second and third installments of the Riddick film series , Dr. Leonard `` Bones '' McCoy in Star Trek , Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond , and Judge Dredd in Dredd . He won acclaim for his performances in New Zealand films The Price of Milk and Out of the Blue . He also played the main character John Kennex in the short-lived television series Almost Human . He will play Skurge in the Marvel Studios film Thor : Ragnarok set for a November 3 , 2017 release .


Star Trek Into Darkness Star Trek Into Darkness is a 2013 American science fiction action film directed by J. J. Abrams and written by Roberto Orci , Alex Kurtzman , and Damon Lindelof . It is the twelfth installment in the Star Trek film franchise and the sequel to the 2009 film Star Trek , as the second in a rebooted film series . The film features Chris Pine reprising his role as Captain James T. Kirk , with Zachary Quinto , Simon Pegg , Karl Urban , Zoe Saldana , John Cho , Anton Yelchin , Bruce Greenwood , and Leonard Nimoy reprising their roles from the previous film . Benedict Cumberbatch , Alice Eve and Peter Weller are also credited in the film 's principal cast . It was the last time Nimoy would portray the character of Spock before his death in 2015 . Set in the 23rd century , Kirk and the crew of USS Enterprise are sent to the Klingon homeworld seeking former Starfleet member-turned terrorist John Harrison .   After the release of Star Trek , Abrams , Burk , Lindelof , Kurtzman , and Orci agreed to produce its sequel . Filming began in January 2012 . Into Darknesss visual effects were primarily created by Industrial Light & Magic . The film was converted to 3D during its post-production stage .   Star Trek Into Darkness premiered at Event Cinemas in Sydney , Australia , on April 23 , 2013 , and was released on May 9 in Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom , Europe , and Peru , with other countries following . The film was released on May 17 in the United States and Canada , opening at IMAX cinemas a day earlier . Into Darkness was a financial success and received positive reviews from critics . Its gross earnings of over $ 467 million worldwide have made it the highest-grossing entry in the Star Trek franchise . At the 86th Academy Awards , the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects . It was followed by Star Trek Beyond in 2016 .


The stratosphere is a layer of Mar's atmosphere.

Stratosphere The stratosphere ( -LSB- ˈstrætəˌsfɪər , _ - toʊ - -RSB- ) is the second major layer of Earth 's atmosphere , just above the troposphere , and below the mesosphere . About 20 % of the atmosphere 's mass is contained in the stratosphere . The stratosphere is stratified in temperature , with warmer layers higher and cooler layers closer to the Earth . The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun 's ultraviolet radiation by the ozone . This is in contrast to the troposphere , near the Earth 's surface , where temperatures decreases with altitude . The border between the troposphere and stratosphere , the tropopause , marks where this temperature inversion begins . Near the equator , the stratosphere starts at 18 km ; at mid latitudes , it starts at 10 - and ends at 50 km ; at the poles , it starts at about 8 km . Temperatures vary within the stratosphere with the seasons , in particular with the polar night ( winter ) . The greatest variation of temperature takes place over the poles in the lower stratosphere ; those variations are largely steady at lower latitudes and higher altitudes .


Emma Roberts Emma Rose Roberts ( born February 10 , 1991 ) is an American actress and singer . After making her film debut as Kristina Jung in Blow ( 2001 ) , Roberts gained recognition for her lead role as Addie Singer on the Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous ( 2004 -- 07 ) . She released her debut studio album , Unfabulous and More ( 2005 ) , which also served as the series ' soundtrack . Roberts then appeared in a series of film roles , including Nancy Drew ( 2007 ) , Wild Child ( 2008 ) , Hotel for Dogs ( 2009 ) , Valentine 's Day ( 2010 ) , It 's Kind of a Funny Story ( 2010 ) , and The Art of Getting By ( 2011 ) .   Looking for more mature roles , Roberts went on to obtain both supporting and lead roles in Lymelife ( 2009 ) , 4.3.2.1 . ( 2010 ) , Scream 4 ( 2011 ) , Adult World ( 2013 ) , We 're the Millers ( 2013 ) , and Palo Alto ( 2013 ) . She starred in the lead role of Chanel Oberlin on the Fox television series Scream Queens , as well as playing main roles in two seasons of American Horror Story .


Harald V of Norway is married to Sonja Haraldsen.

Harald V of Norway Harald V ( -LSB- ˈhɑrːɑɫ -RSB- ; born 21 February 1937 ) is the King of Norway , having ascended the throne following the death of his father on 17 January 1991 .   Harald was the third child and only son of Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden . He was second in the line of succession at the time of his birth , behind his father . In 1940 , as a result of the German occupation during World War II , the royal family went into exile . Harald spent part of his childhood in Sweden and the United States . He returned to Norway in 1945 , and subsequently studied for periods at the University of Oslo , the Norwegian Military Academy , and Balliol College , Oxford .   In 1957 , following the death of his grandfather , Haakon VII , Harald became crown prince . A keen sportsman , he represented Norway in sailing at the 1964 , 1968 , and 1972 Olympic Games , and later became patron of World Sailing . Harald married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968 , with their relationship initially being controversial due to her status as a commoner . The couple had two children , Märtha and Haakon . Harald succeeded his father as king in 1991 , with Haakon becoming his heir apparent .


John McCain was nominated for presidency in 2008.

John McCain John Sidney McCain III ( born August 29 , 1936 ) is an American politician who currently serves as the senior United States Senator from Arizona . He was the Republican nominee for the 2008 U.S. presidential election .   McCain followed his father and grandfather , both four-star admirals , into the United States Navy , graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958 . He became a naval aviator , flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers . During the Vietnam War , he was almost killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire . In October 1967 , while on a bombing mission over Hanoi , he was shot down , seriously injured , and captured by the North Vietnamese . He was a prisoner of war until 1973 . McCain experienced episodes of torture , and refused an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer . His war wounds have left him with lifelong physical limitations .   He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981 and moved to Arizona , where he entered politics . Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 , McCain served two terms . He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 , winning re-election easily five times , most recently in 2016 . While generally adhering to conservative principles , McCain at times has had a media reputation as a `` maverick '' for his willingness to disagree with his party on certain issues . After being investigated and largely exonerated in a political influence scandal of the 1980s as a member of the Keating Five , he made campaign finance reform one of his signature concerns , eventually gaining passage of the McCain -- Feingold Act in 2002 . He is also known for his work in the 1990s to restore diplomatic relations with Vietnam , and for his belief that the Iraq War should have been fought to a successful conclusion . McCain has chaired the Senate Commerce Committee , opposed spending that he considered to be pork barrel , and played a key role in alleviating a crisis over judicial nominations with the bi-partisan group known as the Gang of 14 .   McCain ran for the Republican nomination in 2000 but lost a heated primary season contest to George W. Bush of Texas . He secured the nomination in 2008 after coming back from early reversals , but was defeated by Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the general election , losing by a 365 -- 173 electoral college margin and by 53 -- 46 % in the popular vote . He subsequently adopted more orthodox conservative stances and attitudes and largely opposed actions of the Obama administration , especially in regard to foreign policy matters . By 2013 , however , he had become a key figure in the Senate for negotiating deals on certain issues in an otherwise partisan environment . In 2015 , McCain became chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee .


Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Joanna Aniston ( born February 11 , 1969 ) is an American actress , producer , and businesswoman . She is the daughter of Greek-born actor John Aniston and American actress Nancy Dow . Aniston gained worldwide recognition for portraying Rachel Green on the popular television sitcom Friends ( 1994 -- 2004 ) , a role which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award , a Golden Globe Award , and a Screen Actors Guild Award . The character was widely popular during the airing of the series and was later recognized as one of the 100 greatest female characters in United States television .   Aniston has played the female protagonist in a number of comedies and romantic comedies . Her box office hits include Bruce Almighty ( 2003 ) , The Break-Up ( 2006 ) , Marley & Me ( 2008 ) , Just Go with It ( 2011 ) , Horrible Bosses ( 2011 ) , and We 're the Millers ( 2013 ) , each of which have grossed over 200 million in worldwide receipts . Her most critically acclaimed roles included the role of Olivia in Friends with Money ( 2006 ) , The Good Girl ( 2002 ) , for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead , and the drama Cake ( 2014 ) , for which she received nominations for the Golden Globe Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress . Her other films include Along Came Polly ( 2004 ) and He 's Just Not That Into You ( 2009 ) . In 2008 , she co-founded the production company Echo Films .   In 2012 , Aniston received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . She is one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood , and as of 2014 , her net worth is estimated to be 150 million . She has also been included in magazines ' lists of the world 's most beautiful women . People magazine named Aniston `` The Most Beautiful Woman '' in 2004 and 2016 , and Men 's Health magazine voted her the `` Sexiest Woman of All Time '' in 2011 . Divorced from actor Brad Pitt , to whom she was married for five years , she has been married to actor Justin Theroux since 2015 .


The Americans (2013 TV series) The Americans is an American television period drama series created and produced by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg . The series premiered in the United States on January 30 , 2013 on the cable network FX .   Set in the early 1980s during the Cold War , The Americans is the story of Elizabeth ( Keri Russell ) and Philip Jennings ( Matthew Rhys ) , two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple living in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington , D.C. , with their children Paige ( Holly Taylor ) and Henry ( Keidrich Sellati ) and their neighbor Stan Beeman ( Noah Emmerich ) , an FBI agent working in counterintelligence .   On May 25 , 2016 , FX set an end-date for the series by renewing it for a fifth and sixth season . The 10-episode sixth and final season is slated to air in 2018 .


Carol Leifer's comedy career began in the 1980s.

Carol Leifer Carol Leifer ( -LSB- ˈliːfər -RSB- ;  born July 27 , 1956 ) is a four-time Emmy Award-nominated American comedian , writer , producer and actress whose career as a stand-up comedian started in the 1970s when she was in college . David Letterman discovered her performing in a comedy club in the 1980s and she has since been a guest on Late Night with David Letterman over twenty-five times as well as numerous other shows and venues . She has written many television scripts including for The Larry Sanders Show , Saturday Night Live and most notably , Seinfeld .   Leifer 's inner-monologue driven , observational style is often autobiographical encompassing subjects about her Jewish ancestry and upbringing , coming out , same-sex marriage , relationships ( having been married previously to a man and now partnered with a woman ) and parenting .


Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears ( born December 2 , 1981 ) is an American singer , dancer , and actress . Born in McComb , Mississippi , and raised in Kentwood , Louisiana , she performed acting roles in stage productions and television shows as a child before signing with Jive Records in 1997 . Spears 's first and second studio albums , ... Baby One More Time ( 1999 ) and Oops ! ... I Did It Again ( 2000 ) , became international successes , with the former becoming the best-selling album by a teenage solo artist . Title tracks '' ... Baby One More Time '' and `` Oops ! ... I Did It Again '' broke international sales records . In 2001 , Spears released her self-titled third studio album , Britney , and played the starring role in the film Crossroads ( 2002 ) . She assumed creative control of her fourth studio album , In the Zone ( 2003 ) , which yielded the worldwide success of the single `` Toxic '' .   In 2007 , Spears 's much-publicized personal issues sent her career into hiatus . Her fifth studio album , Blackout , was released later that year , and spawned singles such as `` Gim me More '' and `` Piece of Me '' . Her erratic behavior and hospitalizations continued through the following year , at which point she was placed under a still ongoing conservatorship . Spears 's sixth studio album , Circus ( 2008 ) , included the international chart-topping single `` Womanizer '' . Her seventh studio album , Femme Fatale ( 2011 ) , became her first to yield three top-ten singles in the United States . She released her eighth studio album Britney Jean in 2013 . Later that year , Spears began the four-year residency show , Britney : Piece of Me , at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas . In 2016 , Spears released her ninth studio album , Glory . In 2017 , she announced that her residency show would develop into a world tour , Britney : Live in Concert .   Spears is regarded as a pop icon and credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s . She became the best-selling teenage artist of all time and garnered honorific titles including the `` Princess of Pop '' . Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades , including a Grammy Award , six MTV Video Music Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award , seven Billboard Music Awards including the Millennium Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . In 2009 , Billboard ranked her as the 8th overall Artist of the Decade , and also recognized her as the best-selling female artist of the 2000s , as well as the fifth overall . The Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) lists Spears as the eighth top-selling female artist in the United States , with 34 million certified albums . She has sold over 100 million records worldwide making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time . According to Billboard Spears has sold about 22.38 million singles in digital downloads in US and is the fourth best-selling female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began .   Rolling Stone recognized her instant success as one of the Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments of all time , while VH1 ranked her eleventh on their `` 100 Greatest Women in Music '' list in 2012 , and Billboard named her the sexiest woman in music . Forbes reported that Spears was the highest paid female musician of 2012 , with earnings of $ 58 million , having last topped the list in 2002 .


Zendaya is professionally known by just her first name.

Zendaya Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman ( born September 1 , 1996 ) , known mononymously as Zendaya ( -LSB- zɛnˈdeɪ.ə -RSB- ) , is an American actress , singer , and dancer . From 2010 to 2013 , she starred in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up as Rocky Blue . She has starred in two films and played one of the lead roles in the film Frenemies as Halley Brandon . She voiced Fern in the Pixie Hollow Games . She appeared in Good Luck Charlie as Rocky Blue and in a Good Luck Charlie and Shake It Up crossover title Charlie Shakes It Up . She appeared on PrankStars as herself in the episode `` Walk The Prank '' and on A.N.T. Farm as Sequoia Jones in the episode `` Creative ConsultANT . ''   Zendaya signed a deal with Hollywood Records on August 8 , 2012 , and started recording songs for her debut album on August 12 , 2012 . She released a single from an independent label called `` Swag It Out '' and another single with Bella Thorne called `` Watch Me , '' which is featured on the Break It Down album . On March 20 , 2012 , Zendaya released the song `` Something to Dance For '' as promotional single from Shake It Up : Live 2 Dance soundtrack .


Equidae Equidae ( sometimes known as the horse family ) is the taxonomic family of horses and related animals , including the extant horses , donkeys , and zebras , and many other species known only from fossils . All extant species are in the genus Equus . Equidae belongs to the order Perissodactyla , which includes the extant tapirs and rhinoceros , and several extinct families .   The term equid refers to any member of this family , including any equine .


Equus (genus) Equus is a genus of mammals in the family Equidae , which includes horses , asses , and zebras . Within Equidae , Equus is the only recognized extant genus , comprising seven living species . The term equine refers to any member of this genus , including horses . Like Equidae more broadly , Equus has numerous extinct species known only from fossils . The genus most likely originated in North America and spread quickly to the Old World . Equines are odd-toed ungulates with slender legs , long heads , relatively long necks , manes ( erect in most subspecies ) and long tails . All species are herbivorous , and mostly grazers with simpler digestive systems than ruminants but able to subsist on lower quality vegetation .   While the domestic horse and donkey ( along with their feral descendants ) exist worldwide , wild equine populations are limited to Africa and Asia . Wild equine social systems come in two forms ; a harem system with tight-knit groups consisting of one adult male or stallion , several females or mares and their young or foals ; and a territorial system where males establish territories with resources that attract females , which associate very fluidly . In both systems , females take care of their offspring but males may play a role as well . Equines communicate with each other both visually and vocally . Human activities have threatened wild equine populations and out of the seven living species , only the plains zebra remains widespread and abundant .


Big (film) Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy film directed by Penny Marshall , and stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin , a young boy who makes a wish `` to be big '' and is then aged to adulthood overnight . The film also stars Elizabeth Perkins , David Moscow as small Josh , John Heard , and Robert Loggia , and was written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg .


Awakenings Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks 's 1973 memoir of the same title . It tells the true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks , fictionalized as American Malcolm Sayer ( portrayed by Robin Williams ) , who , in 1969 , discovered beneficial effects of the drug L-Dopa . He administered it to catatonic patients who survived the 1917 -- 28 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica . Leonard Lowe ( played by Robert De Niro ) and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonia and have to deal with a new life in a new time . The film was nominated for three Academy Awards .   Directed by Penny Marshall , the film was produced by Walter Parkes and Lawrence Lasker , who first encountered Sacks 's book as undergraduates at Yale University and optioned it a few years later . Awakenings stars Robert De Niro , Robin Williams , Julie Kavner , Ruth Nelson , John Heard , Penelope Ann Miller , and Max von Sydow . The film features a non-speaking cameo from jazz musician Dexter Gordon ( who died before the film 's release ) and then-unknowns Bradley Whitford , Peter Stormare , and Vincent Pastore play a doctor , neurochemist , and psych-ward patient , respectively .


John Heard (actor) John Matthew Heard , Jr. ( born March 7 , 1945 ) is an American film and television actor . He is probably best known for his lead roles in several films , including Chilly Scenes of Winter , Heart Beat , Cutter 's Way , Cat People , and C.H.U.D. , as well as supporting roles in After Hours , Big , Beaches , Awakenings , Rambling Rose , The Pelican Brief , My Fellow Americans , Snake Eyes , and Animal Factory . He also played Peter McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York , as well as appearing in Sharknado . Heard won an Emmy Award for guest starring on The Sopranos .


Cat People (1982 film) Cat People is a 1982 American erotic horror film directed by Paul Schrader and starring Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell . Jerry Bruckheimer served as executive producer . Alan Ormsby wrote the screenplay , basing it loosely on the story by DeWitt Bodeen , the screenwriter for the acclaimed original Cat People ( 1942 ) . Giorgio Moroder composed the film 's score , including the theme song which features lyrics and vocals by David Bowie .


Heart Beat (film) Heart Beat is a 1980 American drama film written and directed by John Byrum , based on the autobiography by Carolyn Cassady . The film is about seminal figures in the Beat Generation . The character of Ira , played by Ray Sharkey , is based on Allen Ginsberg . The film stars Nick Nolte , Sissy Spacek and John Heard .   The movie received generally mixed reviews , although the soundtrack was met with critical acclaim , as well as being a large box office success .


Rambling Rose (film) Rambling Rose is a 1991 American drama film set in Georgia during the Great Depression starring Laura Dern and Robert Duvall in leading roles with Lukas Haas , John Heard and Diane Ladd in supporting roles . Rambling Rose was directed by Martha Coolidge and written by Calder Willingham ( adapted from his own 1972 novel of the same name ) .   Laura Dern and Diane Ladd , daughter and mother in real life , were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress , respectively , making them the first ever mother-daughter duo to be nominated for Academy Awards for the same film or even in the same year . Laura Dern , 24 at the time , was among the youngest actresses to be nominated in the leading actress category .


Home Alone Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus . The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister , a boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation . Kevin initially relishes being home alone , but soon has to contend with two would-be burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern . The film also features Catherine O'Hara and John Heard as Kevin 's parents .   Culkin was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Musical or Comedy . After its release , Home Alone became the highest-grossing live action comedy film of all time in the United States , and also held the record worldwide until it was overtaken by The Hangover Part II in 2011 . It is the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time at the North American box office ( when adjusted for inflation ) . Home Alone has spawned a successful film franchise with four sequels , including the 1992 film Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York , the only Home Alone sequel to have the original cast reprising their roles .


My Fellow Americans My Fellow Americans is a 1996 American comedy film starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner as feuding ex-presidents . Dan Aykroyd , Lauren Bacall , Esther Rolle , John Heard , Wilford Brimley , Bradley Whitford and Jeff Yagher are also in the cast . It is named for the traditional opening of Presidential addresses to the American people .   Lemmon 's perennial collaborator , Walter Matthau , was slated to costar . Health problems kept him from appearing so Garner was chosen to star opposite Lemmon for their first project together . The film was unofficially called `` Grumpy Old Presidents '' by those on the set .


After Hours (film) After Hours is a 1985 American black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese , written by Joseph Minion , and starring Griffin Dunne with an ensemble cast . The film follows Paul Hackett , portrayed by Dunne , as he experiences a series of misadventures while making his way home from New York City 's SoHo district during the night .   Warner Home Video released the film on VHS in 1991 for both widescreen and pan-and-scan NTSC laserdiscs . It has also been released on DVD .


Beaches (film) Beaches ( also known as Forever Friends ) is a 1988 American comedy-drama film adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from the Iris Rainer Dart novel of the same name . It was directed by Garry Marshall , and stars Bette Midler , Barbara Hershey , Mayim Bialik , Skyler Blask , John Heard , James Read , Spalding Gray , and Lainie Kazan .   Despite generally negative reviews from critics , the film was a commercial success , grossing $ 59 million in the box office , and gained a cult following .   A sequel , based on the novel Beaches II : I 'll Be There was planned with Barbara Eden but never filmed .


Snake Eyes (film) Snake Eyes is a 1998 American conspiracy thriller film directed by Brian De Palma , featuring his trademark use of long tracking shots and split screens . It starred Nicolas Cage , Gary Sinise and Carla Gugino . The film was written by David Koepp and De Palma , and was released to theaters on August 7 , 1998 . It costed an estimated $ 73 million to produce and returned $ 103 million worldwide , but received mixed to negative reviews from critics .


Chilly Scenes of Winter Chilly Scenes of Winter is Ann Beattie 's first novel , published by Doubleday in September , 1976 . The marketing copy from the paperback edition declared , `` This is the story of a love-smitten Charles ; his friend Sam , the Phi Beta Kappa and former coat salesman ; and Charles ' mother , who spends a lot of time in the bathtub feeling depressed . ''


Animal Factory Animal Factory is a 2000 crime drama film about life in prison , set in San Quentin . The film was directed by Steve Buscemi , and stars Willem Dafoe , Edward Furlong , Danny Trejo , John Heard , Mickey Rourke , Tom Arnold , Seymour Cassel , and Mark Boone , Jr. . Animal Factory is based on the novel of the same name by Eddie Bunker who plays the part of Buzzard in the film .


One rock band from England is The Beatles.

The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960 . With members John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr , they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era . Rooted in skiffle , beat and 1950s rock and roll , the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles , ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock , often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways . In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as `` Beatlemania '' , and as the group 's music grew in sophistication in subsequent years , led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney , they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s .   The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960 , with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player . The core of Lennon , McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of drummers , including Pete Best , before asking Starr to join them in 1962 . Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act , and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings , greatly expanding their popularity in the United Kingdom after their first hit , `` Love Me Do '' , in late 1962 . They acquired the nickname `` the Fab Four '' as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year , and by early 1964 became international stars , leading the `` British Invasion '' of the United States pop market . From 1965 onwards , the Beatles produced increasingly innovative recordings , including the albums Rubber Soul ( 1965 ) , Revolver ( 1966 ) , Sgt. Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band ( 1967 ) , The Beatles ( commonly known as the White Album , 1968 ) and Abbey Road ( 1969 ) . After their break-up in 1970 , they each enjoyed successful musical careers of varying lengths . McCartney and Starr , the surviving members , remain musically active . Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980 , and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001 .   The Beatles are the best-selling band in history , with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide . They have had more number-one albums on the British charts and sold more singles in the UK than any other act . According to the RIAA , the Beatles are also the best-selling music artists in the United States , with 178 million certified units . In 2008 , the group topped Billboard magazine 's list of the all-time most successful `` Hot 100 '' artists ; , they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with twenty . They have received ten Grammy Awards , an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards . The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 , and all four were inducted individually from 1994 to 2015 . They were also collectively included in Time magazine 's compilation of the twentieth century 's 100 most influential people .


The Olympic Games are international sporting events.

Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games or Olympics ( Jeux olympiques ) are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions . The Olympic Games are considered the world 's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating . The Olympic Games are held every four years , with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart .   Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games , which were held in Olympia , Greece , from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD . Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) in 1894 , leading to the first modern Games in Athens in 1896 . The IOC is the governing body of the Olympic Movement , with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority .   The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th and 21st centuries has resulted in several changes to the Olympic Games . Some of these adjustments include the creation of the Winter Olympic Games for ice and winter sports , the Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability , and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes . The IOC has had to adapt to a variety of economic , political , and technological advancements . As a result , the Olympics has shifted away from pure amateurism , as envisioned by Coubertin , to allowing participation of professional athletes . The growing importance of mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialisation of the Games . World wars led to the cancellation of the 1916 , 1940 , and 1944 Games . Large boycotts during the Cold War limited participation in the 1980 and 1984 Games .   The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations ( IFs ) , National Olympic Committees ( NOCs ) , and organising committees for each specific Olympic Games . As the decision-making body , the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Games , and organises and funds the Games according to the Olympic Charter . The IOC also determines the Olympic programme , consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games . There are several Olympic rituals and symbols , such as the Olympic flag and torch , as well as the opening and closing ceremonies . Over 13,000 athletes compete at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events . The first , second , and third-place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals : gold , silver , and bronze , respectively .   The Games have grown so much that nearly every nation is now represented . This growth has created numerous challenges and controversies , including boycotts , doping , bribery , and a terrorist attack in 1972 . Every two years the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national and sometimes international fame . The Games also constitute an opportunity for the host city and country to showcase themselves to the world .


The Great Gatsby was edited by Gertrude Stein.

The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald that follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922 . The story primarily concerns the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quixotic passion and obsession for the beautiful former debutante Daisy Buchanan . Considered to be Fitzgerald 's magnum opus , The Great Gatsby explores themes of decadence , idealism , resistance to change , social upheaval , and excess , creating a portrait of the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American Dream .   Fitzgerald -- inspired by the parties he had attended while visiting Long Island 's north shore -- began planning the novel in 1923 , desiring to produce , in his words , `` something new -- something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned . '' Progress was slow , with Fitzgerald completing his first draft following a move to the French Riviera in 1924 . His editor , Maxwell Perkins , felt the book was vague and persuaded the author to revise over the next winter . Fitzgerald was repeatedly ambivalent about the book 's title and he considered a variety of alternatives , including titles that referenced the Roman character Trimalchio ; the title he was last documented to have desired was Under the Red , White , and Blue .   First published by Scribner 's in April 1925 , The Great Gatsby received mixed reviews and sold poorly ; in its first year , the book sold only 20,000 copies . Fitzgerald died in 1940 , believing himself to be a failure and his work forgotten . However , the novel experienced a revival during World , and became a part of American high school curricula and numerous stage and film adaptations in the following decades . Today , The Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a literary classic and a contender for the title `` Great American Novel . '' In 1998 , the Modern Library editorial board voted it the 20th century 's best American novel and second best English-language novel of the same time period .


Moses Malone was in the NBA Finals in 1981.

Moses Malone Moses Eugene Malone ( March 23 , 1955 -- September 13 , 2015 ) was an American basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association ( ABA ) and the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) from 1974 through 1995 . The center was named the NBA Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) three times and was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA selection . Malone won his only NBA championship in 1983 , when he was both the league and Finals MVP with the Philadelphia 76ers . He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001 .   Malone began his pro career out of high school after he was selected in the third round of the 1974 ABA Draft by the Utah Stars . He was named an ABA All-Star as a rookie and played two seasons in the league until it merged with the NBA in 1976 . He landed in the NBA with the Buffalo Braves , who traded him after two games to the Houston Rockets . Malone became a five-time All-Star in six seasons with the Rockets . After leading the NBA in rebounding in 1979 , he was named league MVP for the first time . He led the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981 , and won his second MVP award in 1982 . Malone was traded to Philadelphia the following season , when he repeated as MVP and led the 76ers to a championship in his first year . In his first of two stints with Philadelphia , he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons . Following another trade , Malone was an All-Star in his only two seasons with the Washington Bullets ( known later as the Wizards ) . He signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks , earning his 12th straight and final All-Star selection in his first season . In his later years , he played with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to the 76ers and completing his career with the San Antonio Spurs .   Malone led the NBA in rebounding six times , including a then-record five straight seasons ( 1981 -- 1985 ) . He finished his career as the all-time leader in offensive rebounds after leading both the ABA and NBA in the category a combined nine times . Malone was nicknamed `` Chairman of the Boards '' for his rebounding prowess . Combining his ABA and NBA statistics , he ranks seventh all-time in career points ( 29,580 ) and third in total rebounds ( 17,834 ) . He was named to both the ABA All-Time Team and the NBA 's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team .


Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. ( born October 1 , 1924 ) is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 . A member of the Democratic Party , he served as the Governor of Georgia prior to his election as president . Carter has remained active in public life during his post-presidency , and in 2002 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Carter Center .   Carter joined the United States Navy after graduating high school , serving on nuclear submarines . He left the Navy in 1953 to return to Georgia , where he worked as a peanut farmer . From 1963 to 1967 , Carter served in the Georgia State Senate . In 1970 , Carter won election as Governor of Georgia , defeating former Governor Carl Sanders in the Democratic primary . He served as governor from 1971 to 1975 . Despite being little-known outside of Georgia at the start of the campaign , Carter won the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination . In the general election , Carter defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in a relatively close election .   On his second day in office , Carter pardoned all evaders of the Vietnam War drafts . During Carter 's term as President , two new cabinet-level departments , the Department of Energy and the Department of Education , were established . He established a national energy policy that included conservation , price control , and new technology . In foreign affairs , Carter pursued the Camp David Accords , the Panama Canal Treaties , the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ( SALT II ) , and the return of the Panama Canal Zone to Panama . On the economic front he confronted persistent `` stagflation '' , a combination of high inflation , high unemployment and slow growth . The end of his presidential tenure was marked by the 1979 -- 1981 Iran hostage crisis , the 1979 energy crisis , the Three Mile Island nuclear accident , and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan . In response to the invasion , Carter ended détente , escalated the Cold War , and led the international boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow . In 1980 , Carter faced a primary challenge from Senator Ted Kennedy , but Carter won re-nomination at the 1980 Democratic National Convention . Carter lost the general election in an electoral landslide to Republican nominee Ronald Reagan . Polls of historians and political scientists usually rank Carter as a below average president .   In 2012 , he surpassed Herbert Hoover as the longest-retired president in U.S. history , and he is also the first president to mark the 40th anniversary of his inauguration . He set up the Carter Center in 1982 as his base for advancing human rights . He has also traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations , observe elections , and advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations . Additionally , Carter is a key figure in the Habitat for Humanity project and he has written several books about various topics . In reference to current political views , he has criticized some of Israel 's actions and policies in regards to the Israeli -- Palestinian conflict and has advocated for a two-state solution . He has vigorously opposed the Supreme Court 's decision in Citizens United v. FEC to strike down limits on campaign spending by corporations and unions , saying that the U.S. is `` no longer a functioning democracy '' and now has a system of `` unlimited political bribery . ''


Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford , Jr. ( born Leslie Lynch King , Jr. ; July 14 , 1913 -- December 26 , 2006 ) was an American politician who served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977 , following the resignation of Richard Nixon . Prior to this he served eight months as the 40th Vice President of the United States , following the resignation of Spiro Agnew . He was the first person appointed to the vice presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment , and consequently the only person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected to executive office . Before his appointment to the vice presidency , Ford served 25 years as U.S. Representative from Michigan 's 5th congressional district , the final nine of them as the House Minority Leader .   As President , Ford signed the Helsinki Accords , marking a move toward détente in the Cold War . With the conquest of South Vietnam by North Vietnam nine months into his presidency , U.S. involvement in Vietnam essentially ended . Domestically , Ford presided over the worst economy in the four decades since the Great Depression , with growing inflation and a recession during his tenure . One of his most controversial acts was to grant a presidential pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal . During Ford 's presidency , foreign policy was characterized in procedural terms by the increased role Congress began to play , and by the corresponding curb on the powers of the President . In the Republican presidential primary campaign of 1976 , Ford defeated former California Governor Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination . He narrowly lost the presidential election to the Democratic challenger , former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter , making him the first President who succeeded to office as a result of a mid-term vacancy since Chester A. Arthur not to be elected in his own right .   Following his years as President , Ford remained active in the Republican Party . After experiencing health problems , he died at home on December 26 , 2006 . Ford lived longer than any other U.S. president -- 93 years and 165 days -- while his 895-day presidency was the shortest of all presidents who did not die in office .


Gregor Clegane was introduced in 1996 fantasy novel A Game of Thrones.

Gregor Clegane Ser Gregor Clegane , nicknamed The Mountain , is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin , and its television adaptation Game of Thrones . He is a retainer to House Lannister . An enormous man , he is well known for his size , prowess in battle and cruelty .   Introduced in 1996 's A Game of Thrones , Gregor is the older brother of Sandor Clegane , from the fictional kingdom of Westeros . He subsequently appeared in Martin 's A Clash of Kings ( 1998 ) , A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ) and in A Dance with Dragons ( 2011 ) as Ser Robert Strong .   Ser Gregor Clegane is a huge knight and the elder brother of Sandor Clegane . Called `` The Mountain That Rides '' , he is known for his incredibly cruel nature and uncontrollable temper . His size and strength make him a fearsome warrior , and he has earned a reputation for cruelty and brutality . He is able to wield a two-handed sword one handed . When they were children , Gregor shoved Sandor 's face into a brazier , gruesomely scarring him .   Gregor Clegane is portrayed by Conan Stevens in season one , by Ian Whyte in season two , and by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in seasons four , five , and six in the HBO television adaptation .


War Dogs was produced by Bradley Cooper and someone else.

War Dogs (2016 film) War Dogs is a 2016 American biographical black comedy-drama film directed by Todd Phillips and written by Phillips , Jason Smilovic and Stephen Chin , based on a Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson . Lawson then wrote a book titled Arms and the Dudes detailing the story . The film follows two arms dealers , Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz , who receive a US Army contract to supply munitions for the Afghan National Army worth approximately $ 300 million . The film is heavily fictionalized and dramatized , and some of its events , such as the duo driving through Iraq , were either invented or based on other events , such as screenwriter Stephen Chin 's own experiences .   The film stars Jonah Hill , Miles Teller , Ana de Armas and Bradley Cooper , who also co-produced . Filming began on March 2 , 2015 in Romania . The film premiered in New York City on August 3 , 2016 and was theatrically released by Warner Bros. . Pictures on August 19 , 2016 . It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $ 86 million . Hill received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance .


Ian Holm Sir Ian Holm CBE ( born 12 September 1931 ) is an English actor known for his stage work and many film roles . He received the 1967 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for his performance as Lenny in The Homecoming and the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in the title role of King Lear . He won the 1981 BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as athletics trainer Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire , for which he was also nominated for an Academy Award .   Other well-known film roles include Ash in Alien , Sir William Gull in From Hell , Father Vito Cornelius in The Fifth Element , and the hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series .


Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness , ( born Alec Guinness de Cuffe , 2 April 1914 -- 5 August 2000 ) was an English actor . After an early career on the stage , Guinness was featured in several of the Ealing Comedies , including The Ladykillers and Kind Hearts and Coronets in which he played nine different characters . He is also known for his six collaborations with David Lean : Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations ( 1946 ) , Fagin in Oliver Twist ( 1948 ) , Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai ( 1957 , for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor ) , Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia ( 1962 ) , General Yevgraf Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago ( 1965 ) , and Professor Godbole in A Passage to India ( 1984 ) . He is also known for his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas 's original Star Wars trilogy , receiving a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor .   Guinness was one of three British actors , along with Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud , who made the transition from Shakespearean theatre to blockbuster films immediately after World War II . Guinness served in the Royal Naval Reserve during the war and commanded a landing craft during the invasion of Sicily and Elba . During the war he was granted leave to appear on the stage play Flare Path about the RAF Bomber Command .   Guinness has won an Academy Award , a BAFTA , a Golden Globe and a Tony Award . In 1959 , he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts . He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 , the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in 1980 and the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 1989 .


Jeremy Irons Jeremy John Irons ( born 19 September 1948 ) is an English actor . After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School , Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969 and has since appeared in many West End theatre productions , including The Winter 's Tale , Macbeth , Much Ado About Nothing , The Taming of the Shrew , Godspell , Richard II , and Embers . In 1984 , he made his Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard 's The Real Thing and received a Tony Award for Best Actor .   Irons ' first major film role came in the 1981 romantic drama The French Lieutenant 's Woman , for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor . After starring in dramas such as Moonlighting ( 1982 ) , Betrayal ( 1983 ) , and The Mission ( 1986 ) , he gained critical acclaim for portraying twin gynaecologists in David Cronenberg 's psychological thriller Dead Ringers ( 1988 ) . In 1990 , Irons played accused murderer Claus von Bülow in Reversal of Fortune , and took home multiple awards , including an Academy Award for Best Actor .   Other notable films have included Steven Soderbergh 's mystery thriller Kafka ( 1991 ) , the period drama The House of the Spirits ( 1993 ) , the romantic drama M. Butterfly ( 1993 ) , the voice of Scar in Disney 's The Lion King ( 1994 ) , Simon Gruber in the action film Die Hard with a Vengeance ( 1995 ) , the drama Lolita ( 1997 ) , Musketeer Aramis in The Man in the Iron Mask ( 1998 ) , the action adventure Dungeons & Dragons ( 2000 ) , the drama The Merchant of Venice ( 2004 ) , the drama Being Julia ( 2004 ) , the epic historical drama Kingdom of Heaven ( 2005 ) , the fantasy-adventure Eragon ( 2006 ) , the Western Appaloosa ( 2008 ) , and the indie drama Margin Call ( 2011 ) . In 2016 , he appeared in Assassin 's Creed and , starting that year , he plays Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Extended Universe , beginning with Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , and later reprising the role in Justice League ( 2017 ) and The Batman ( TBA ) .   Irons has also made several notable appearances on TV . He earned his first Golden Globe Award nomination for his break-out role in the ITV series Brideshead Revisited ( 1981 ) . In 2005 , Irons starred opposite Helen Mirren in the historical miniseries Elizabeth I , for which he received a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor . From 2011 to 2013 he starred as Pope Alexander VI in the Showtime historical series The Borgias . He is one of the few actors who won the `` Triple Crown of Acting '' , winning an Academy Award ( for film ) , an Emmy Award ( television ) and a Tony Award ( for theatre ) . In October 2011 , he was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations .


Kafka (film) Kafka is a 1991 mystery thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh . Ostensibly a biopic , based on the life of Franz Kafka , the film blurs the lines between fact and Kafka 's fiction ( most notably The Castle and The Trial ) , creating a Kafkaesque atmosphere . It was written by Lem Dobbs , and stars Jeremy Irons in the title role , with Theresa Russell , Ian Holm , Jeroen Krabbé , Joel Grey , Armin Mueller-Stahl , and Alec Guinness .   Released after Soderbergh 's critically acclaimed debut Sex , Lies , and Videotape it was the first of what would be a series of low-budget box-office disappointments . It has since become a cult film , being compared to Terry Gilliam 's Brazil and David Cronenberg 's Naked Lunch ( all of which star Ian Holm ) .


Elizabeth II Elizabeth II ( Elizabeth Alexandra Mary ; born 21 April 1926 ) has been Queen of the United Kingdom , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand since 6 February 1952 . She is Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of 12 countries that have become independent since her accession : Jamaica , Barbados , the Bahamas , Grenada , Papua New Guinea , Solomon Islands , Tuvalu , Saint Lucia , Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , Belize , Antigua and Barbuda , and Saint Kitts and Nevis .   Elizabeth was born in London as the elder child of the Duke and Duchess of York , later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth , and she was educated privately at home . Her father acceded to the throne on the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in 1936 , from which time she was the heir presumptive . She began to undertake public duties during the Second World War , serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service . In 1947 , she married Philip , Duke of Edinburgh , a former prince of Greece and Denmark , with whom she has four children : Charles , Prince of Wales ; Anne , Princess Royal ; Prince Andrew , Duke of York ; and Prince Edward , Earl of Wessex .   Elizabeth 's many historic visits and meetings include a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and visits to or from five popes . She has seen major constitutional changes , such as devolution in the United Kingdom , Canadian patriation , and the decolonisation of Africa . She has reigned through various wars and conflicts involving many of her realms . She is the world 's oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain 's longest-lived . In 2015 , she surpassed the reign of her great-great-grandmother , Queen Victoria , to become the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state in world history . In October 2016 , she became the longest currently reigning monarch and head of state following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand .   Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children , her coronation in 1953 , and the celebration of milestones such as her Silver , Golden , and Diamond Jubilees in 1977 , 2002 , and 2012 , respectively . In 2017 she became the first British monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee . Moments of sadness for her include the death of her father in 1952 at age 56 ; the assassination of Prince Philip 's uncle Lord Mountbatten in 1979 ; the breakdown of her children 's marriages in 1992 ( her annus horribilis ) ; the death in 1997 of her son 's former wife , Diana , Princess of Wales ; and the deaths of her mother and sister in 2002 . Elizabeth has occasionally faced republican sentiments and press criticism of the royal family ; however , support for the monarchy remains high , as does her personal popularity .


Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Kate Hudson ( born September 12 , 1981 ) is an American singer , actress and spokesperson . She rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol , coming in seventh place .   As an actress , she made her film debut portraying Effie White in Dreamgirls , for which she gained worldwide acclaim and won an Academy Award , a Golden Globe Award , a BAFTA Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress . She has also appeared in such films as Sex and the City , The Secret Life of Bees and Black Nativity . She has made numerous television appearances , including guest roles on Smash , Empire and Inside Amy Schumer . In 2015 she made her Broadway debut in the role of Shug Avery in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple .   As a singer , Hudson has released three studio albums . Her debut album Jennifer Hudson , released in 2008 , debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA , with sales exceeding a million copies worldwide . The record was nominated for four Grammy Awards , winning the 2009 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album . Her second album I Remember Me , released in 2011 , also debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA . Her third and most recent album JHUD peaked in the top ten and featured the Grammy-nominated track `` It 's Your World '' . She also became the principal singer of The Color Purple musical album , which earned her the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program ( shared with the cast of The Color Purple ) .   In October 2008 , after Hudson 's mother , brother and nephew were killed in a shooting , Hudson stepped out of the public eye for three months . Hudson resumed her public appearances in 2009 , with high-profile performances at Super Bowl XLIII , the Grammy Awards , American Idol , and The Oprah Winfrey Show . Hudson has been described as a friend of former President Barack Obama , who invited her to appear with him at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills during his first term in May 2009 . She also performed at the White House at the `` Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement '' event . In 2013 , she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . In 2016 , Hudson was announced as a coach on the 2017 Series of The Voice UK . The following year , Hudson was announced as a coach on the thirteenth season of The Voice .


American Idol American Idol is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller , produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment , and distributed by FremantleMedia North America . It began airing on Fox on June 11 , 2002 , and ended its first-run on April 7 , 2016 . In 2018 , the show will make its debut on ABC . It started off as an addition to the Idols format based on the British series Pop Idol , and became one of the most successful shows in the history of American television . The concept of the series involves discovering recording stars from unsigned singing talents , with the winner determined by the viewers in America through telephones , Internet , and SMS text voting . Winners chosen by viewers in its fifteen seasons were Kelly Clarkson , Ruben Studdard , Fantasia , Carrie Underwood , Taylor Hicks , Jordin Sparks , David Cook , Kris Allen , Lee DeWyze , Scotty McCreery , Phillip Phillips , Candice Glover , Caleb Johnson , Nick Fradiani , and Trent Harmon.American Idol employed a panel of judges who critiqued the contestants ' performances . The original judges were record producer and music manager Randy Jackson , pop singer and choreographer Paula Abdul and music executive and manager Simon Cowell . The judging panel for the final seasons consisted of country singer Keith Urban , singer and actress Jennifer Lopez , and jazz singer Harry Connick , Jr. . The first season was hosted by radio personality Ryan Seacrest and comedian Brian Dunkleman , with Seacrest as the sole master of ceremonies for the rest of the series .   The success of American Idol has been described as `` unparalleled in broadcasting history '' . The series was also said by a rival TV executive to be `` the most impactful show in the history of television '' . It became a recognized springboard for launching the career of many artists as bona fide stars . According to Billboard magazine , in its first ten years , `` Idol has spawned 345 Billboard chart-toppers and a platoon of pop idols , including Kelly Clarkson , Carrie Underwood , Katharine McPhee , Chris Daughtry , Fantasia , Ruben Studdard , Jennifer Hudson , Clay Aiken , Adam Lambert and Jordin Sparks while remaining a TV ratings juggernaut . ''   For an unprecedented eight consecutive years , from the 2003 -- 04 television season through the 2010 -- 11 season , either its performance or result show had been ranked number one in U.S. television ratings . The series concluded its original run on Fox after 15 seasons . American Idol will return for a sixteenth season -- its first on ABC -- in 2018 . The announcement was made official on Good Morning America '' on May 9 , 2017 .


Lance Armstrong had no part in the founding of Team Radio Shack.

Lance Armstrong Lance Edward Armstrong ( born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18 , 1971 ) is an American former professional road racing cyclist . Armstrong is the 1993 professional world champion , and won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005 . However , in 2012 , he was banned from sanctioned Olympic sports for life as a result of long-term doping offenses . As part of those sanctions , all results going back to August 1998 , including his seven Tour wins , were voided .   At age 16 , Armstrong began competing as a triathlete and was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 . In 1992 , Armstrong began his career as a professional cyclist with the Motorola team . He had notable success between 1993 and 1996 , including the World Championship in 1993 , Clásica de San Sebastián in 1995 , Tour DuPont in 1995 and 1996 , and a handful of stage victories in Europe , including stage 18 of the 1995 Tour de France .   In 1996 , he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal metastatic testicular cancer . After his recovery , he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation ( now the Livestrong Foundation ) to assist other cancer survivors .   Returning to cycling in 1998 , he was a member of the US Postal/Discovery team between 1998 and 2005 , when he won his Tour de France titles , as well as a bronze medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics . Armstrong retired from racing at the end of the 2005 Tour de France , but returned to competitive cycling with the Astana team in January 2009 , finishing third in the 2009 Tour de France later that year . Between 2010 and 2011 , he raced with Team Radio Shack , the UCI ProTeam he helped found . He retired for a second time in 2011 .   Armstrong had been the subject of doping allegations ever since winning the 1999 Tour de France . In 2012 , a United States Anti-Doping Agency investigation concluded that Armstrong had used performance-enhancing drugs over the course of his career and named him as the ringleader of `` the most sophisticated , professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen . '' Armstrong chose not to contest the charges , citing the potential toll on his family . As a result , he received a lifetime ban from all sports that follow the World Anti-Doping Code -- effectively ending his competitive career . He was also stripped of all of his achievements from August 1998 onward , including his seven Tour de France titles . The Union Cycliste Internationale upheld USADA 's decision and decided that his stripped wins would not be allocated to other riders . Armstrong chose not to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport . In a 2013 interview , Armstrong confessed that some of the allegations were true . He has declined to testify about the full extent of his use of the drugs . In the aftermath of his fall from grace , a CNN article wrote that `` The epic downfall of cycling 's star , once an idolized icon of millions around the globe , stands out in the history of professional sports . ''


Gabourey Sidibe made her acting debut in 12 Years a Slave.

Gabourey Sidibe Gabourey Sidibe ( -LSB- ˈɡæbəˌreɪ_ˈsɪdɪˌbeɪ -RSB- ; born May 6 , 1983 ) is an American actress who made her acting debut in the 2009 film Precious , a role that brought her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress . From 2010 to 2013 , she was a main cast member of the Showtime series The Big C.   Sidibe co-starred on the television series American Horror Story : Coven as Queenie and American Horror Story : Freak Show as Regina Ross , and later reprised her role as Queenie in American Horror Story : Hotel . Since 2015 , she stars in the Fox musical drama series Empire as Becky Williams .


Labor Pains was released in August in a country.

Labor Pains Labor Pains ( also known as Almost Pregnant in Mexico ) is a 2009 romantic comedy film written by Stacy Kramer . Originally the film was released in theatres on July 9 , 2009 , only in Europe , Latin America and United Arab Emirates . In United States , the film received a television premiere on ABC Family on July 19 , 2009 . The film drew 2.1 million viewers , a better-than-average prime-time audience for ABC Family , and per the network , was the week 's top cable film among coveted female demographic groups .   Labor Pains was directed by Lara Shapiro and was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 4 and 31 in the United States and United Kingdom , respectively . It was starring Lindsay Lohan , Bridgit Mendler , Luke Kirby , Chris Parnell , Cheryl Hines and Kevin Covais .


Led Zeppelin put out the album Physical Graffiti in the 20th century.

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968 . The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page , singer Robert Plant , bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones , and drummer John Bonham . The band 's heavy , guitar-driven sound , rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums , has earned them recognition as one of the progenitors of heavy metal , though their unique style drew from a wide variety of influences , including folk music .   After changing their name from the New Yardbirds , Led Zeppelin signed a deal with Atlantic Records that afforded them considerable artistic freedom . Although the group was initially unpopular with critics , they achieved significant commercial success with albums such as Led Zeppelin ( 1969 ) , Led Zeppelin II ( 1969 ) , Led Zeppelin III ( 1970 ) , Led Zeppelin IV ( 1971 ) , Houses of the Holy ( 1973 ) , and Physical Graffiti ( 1975 ) . Their fourth album , which features the track `` Stairway to Heaven '' , is among the most popular and influential works in rock music , and it helped to secure the group 's popularity .   Page wrote most of Led Zeppelin 's music , particularly early in their career , while Plant generally supplied the lyrics . Jones ' keyboard-based compositions later became central to the group 's catalogue , which featured increasing experimentation . The latter half of their career saw a series of record-breaking tours that earned the group a reputation for excess and debauchery . Although they remained commercially and critically successful , their output and touring schedule were limited during the late 1970s , and the group disbanded following Bonham 's death from alcohol-related asphyxia in 1980 . In the decades that followed , the surviving members sporadically collaborated and participated in one-off Led Zeppelin reunions . The most successful of these was the 2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in London , with Jason Bonham taking his late father 's place behind the drums .   Led Zeppelin are widely considered one of the most successful , innovative , and influential rock groups in history . They are one of the best-selling music artists in the history of audio recording ; various sources estimate the group 's record sales at 200 to 300 million units worldwide . With RIAA-certified sales of 111.5 million units , they are the second-best-selling band in the US . Each of their nine studio albums placed in the top 10 of the Billboard album chart and six reached the number-one spot . They achieved eight consecutive UK number-one albums . Rolling Stone magazine described them as `` the heaviest band of all time '' , `` the biggest band of the Seventies '' , and `` unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history '' . They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 ; the museum 's biography of the band states that they were `` as influential '' during the 1970s as the Beatles were during the 1960s .


Physical Graffiti Physical Graffiti is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin , released as a double album on 24 February 1975 by their newly founded imprint label Swan Song Records . The band wrote and recorded eight new songs for the album at Headley Grange , which stretched the total time of the record beyond the typical length of a single LP , so the band decided to make Physical Graffiti a double album by including unreleased tracks from earlier recording sessions : one outtake from Led Zeppelin III , three from Led Zeppelin IV , and three from Houses of the Holy , including the unused title track from the latter album .   Physical Graffiti was commercially and critically successful upon its release and debuted at number one on album charts in both the US and the UK . The album was later certified 16x platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) in 2006 , signifying shipments of over eight million copies .