Patrick Swayze oozed the kind of charm that puts bums in seats at the multiplex. He was a triple threat, as he was able to do action movies, romance, and could even dance like a pro. Of course, a perfectionist like Swayze was not about to sit back and be comfortable with box office appeal. What had always eluded him was the respect of critics. As it became clear that his life would come to an abrupt and early end, he had one final shot at critical acclaim.

Plenty of today’s Hollywood action stars seem a little below average when it comes to height—hello, Tom Cruise. Jeff Chandler was something different entirely. With his broad frame, he towered over most of his costars. The wavy silver hair, dark complexion, and deep, resonant voice certainly didn’t hurt either. When a terrible tragedy took his life far too early, Hollywood lost one of its true leading men. But years later, a shocking accusation would force people to see Chandler in a completely different light.

Sure, the Grateful Dead were synonymous with psychedelics, free love, and 47-minute guitar noodles, but they were not synonymous with personal hygiene. Even so, only one guy earned the nickname “Pigpen,” and he was a walking contradiction. Pigpen McKernan just said no to acid and “Yes, please” to rotgut booze. And while the rest of the band drifted into cosmic improvisation, he stayed rooted in the blues.

Henry Winkler became a TV icon as Fonzie on Happy Days, but years of typecasting nearly stalled his career. Discover how he reinvented himself, found new success, and earned Emmy-winning acclaim.

James Best became a household name as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard, but his television legend was built decades earlier through Westerns, anthology dramas, cult films, and unforgettable guest roles.

When Mission: Impossible premiered on CBS in 1966, Barbara Bain quickly became one of its biggest attractions. As master spy Cinnamon Carter, she brought intelligence, elegance, and confidence to every mission. The series became an immediate hit, and Bain's performance helped define what audiences expected from sophisticated television espionage.