Daniel Day-Lewis

widely considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. Daniel Day-Lewis rarely takes on roles, but when the man commits, he makes it his life. Most famously known for an unprecedented dedication to roles, on set DDL will literally stay in character for the entire shooting of his films. All worthless if the performances were alright, but there's no acting, he actually is the person on screen.

Towards the commitment, several entertaining examples...

in 'My Left Foot' while "Playing a severely paralyzed character onscreen, offscreen Day-Lewis had to be wheeled around the set in his wheelchair, and crew members would curse at having to lift him over camera and lighting wires, all so that he might gain insight into all aspects of Christy Brown's life, including the embarrassments. He broke two ribs during filming from assuming a hunched-over position in his wheelchair for so many weeks".

'In The Name Of The Father', Daniel "spent stretches of time in a prison cell. He also insisted that crew members throw cold water at him and verbally abuse him"

for 'Gangs Of New York' "took lessons as an apprentice butcher, remained in New York accent on and off-screen (impossible when you hear him speak as Daniel Day-Lewis), while filming his dedication even threatened his life when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He refused to wear a warmer coat or to take treatment because it was not in keeping with the period"

and finally in 'Last of the Mohicans' he "carried a Kentucky rifle at all times during filming and learned how to skin animals."

Even if I agree some of the movies he does are mediocore, his performances are always hauntingly brilliant and make the films memorable. One only hopes he continues to sign on and not delve into retirement, move to Florence and become a shoemaker (as he did in the 1990's).

Check him out here in the trailer for his latest "There Will Be Blood" http://youtube.com/watch?v=ml2Ae2SIXac (he is in every scene of the over two-hour movie, and still you want more)

or as we all remember 'Bill The Butcher' http://youtube.com/watch?v=aY2tbeP_K1M

Fyodor Dostoevsky

The best author of any era. Timeless. The man who brought forth "Crime and Punishment", "The Brothers Karamazov", "The Idiot", and is responsible for countless others. I've encountered the big three, and they knocked me on my ass. When it comes to stating my religious beliefs, I'm a full on believer in only one God...'Dostoevsky'. He belittles all forms of religion in such kind, simple, and few words. Additionally, his expression on psychology, and articulating the thoughts hiding inside our less than happy selves is incredible.

Nietzsche said of Jesus: "it is regrettable that no Dostoevsky lived near him." He also stated "Dostoevsky was the only psychologist from whom I had anything to learn: he belongs to the happiest windfalls of my life, happier even than the discovery of Stendhal."

i recommend reading "the brothers Karamazov". here's a link on the man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyodor_Dostoevsky

Michael Cohl

The most famous man you've never heard of. He is not well known, because he spends all his time promoting other people's names: The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, U2. Michael Cohl is probably the best Promoter in the world and he hails from Canada and he started out owning a strip club in Ottawa. He might be most famously known in the industry for stealing the Rolling Stones in 1989 away from Bill Graham (only promoter to be a celebrity in his own right, also owned the Fillmore!!!), but you know Cohl's work as creating SARSstock (pic below left), promoting the largest rock concert in history (the Stones this past year in Rio, below right) and most major tours coming across Canada. I advise getting your eyes on a documentary on the man...'Satisfaction, the life and times of Michael Cohl' http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/cohl.html. Quite interesting stories enclosed, including the relationship he built with Harold Ballard, and a price fixing scandal.

here's another article on him: http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2006/07/2123.cfm

Lenny Bruce

Not sure if you've ever heard of this man, regardless you should hear him. He's one of the best and most controversial comedians of all time, and the only one to ever be arrested for termed 'offensive' words said on stage. Anyway, if you get some spare time, you should check out the following link, which leads you to a documentary on the man entitled "Swear To Tell The Truth", its narrated by Robert De Niro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVaBfUMYhR8&mode=related&search=