Kurt Russell

Born: 17 March 1951
Where: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Kurt Russell landed a part in Elvis movie It Happened at the World's Fair when he was just 10.

In 1960, Walt Disney himself signed Russell to a 10-year contract. Once his stint as a child actor was over, Russell spent the early 1970s playing minor league baseball.

In 1979, he played Elvis Presley in director John Carpenter's TV movie. The pair went on to work together on cult classic Escape From New York and sequel Escape From LA, as well as The Thing and Big Trouble In Little China.

In 1983 he met Goldie Hawn when they starred in Swing Shift. The two have lived together ever since. The movie was a failure - as was their next joint venture, Overboard.

After his career stalled in the 1980s, Tango And Cash and Backdraft were key in re-establishing Russell - but he was the second choice both times. He only landed Tango and Cash after Patrick Swayze dropped out and Dennis Quaid was the first choice for the Backdraft lead.

Russell and Hawn live on a 72-acre retreat, Home Run Ranch, outside of Aspen. He has two sons - Boston, from a brief marriage to actress Season Hubley, and Wyatt with Hawn.