Sean Penn

Son of actor-director Leo Penn, Sean Penn has gained acclaim for his roles in such films as "Mystic River," "I Am Sam," and "Dead Man Walking." For Penn's latest directorial endeavor, "Into the Wild," he took on the true story of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch, left), an Emory University graduate who abandons his material possessions and hitchhikes to Alaska. Read The Globe's review of "Into the Wild."

Other notable credits: "The Pledge" (2001) and "The Indian Runner" (1991).