The star on his pursuit of comedy, following in Conan O’Brien’s footsteps at Harvard and his friendship with Mindy Kaling. B.J. He’s known for TV’s The Office and the films Inglourious Basterds, The Founder and Vengeance. He co-stars in The Devil Wears Prada 2. [Photo above of B.J. Novak in Los Angeles in 2025 by Julian Ungano]

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The music on their debut album, “Ramones,” released 50 years ago this month, was so primitive that the 14 short tracks took just seven days and $6,400 to record. Though it peaked at only 111 on the Billboard album chart, and its two singles— “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”—failed to chart, top rock critics and the underground press rave…

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The Normal and Ballistic actress on her Rocky Horror Picture Show obsession, her childhood rebelliousness and her many tattoos. The British actress is known for the series Game of Thrones and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as the 300 action-film franchise. She currently stars in the new films Ballistic and Normal. [Photo above of Lena …

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The ‘Miniature Wife’ star on how a third-base mishap led to the stage and why ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ was her big break. The actress, director and producer known for the film series “Pitch Perfect” and “The Hunger Games,” and TV’s “Modern Family” stars in the new Peacock series “The Miniature Wife.” [Photo above of Elizabeth Banks by Art Streiber/NBC …

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Before ‘Breaking Bad,’ Bryan Cranston Nearly Joined the L.A.P.D.: The star of the new Malcolm in the Middle series on his father’s abandonment, a two-year motorcycle trip and his comedic chops. [Photo above of Bryan Cranston in 2025 by Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio]

Cranston has won seven Emmys and two Tonys. He is known for TV’s Breaking Bad and Seinfeld, …

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How Fab 5 Freddy Wound Up in Blondie’s ‘Rapture’ and Helped Launch Rap: The graffiti artist and ‘Everybody’s Fly’ memoirist on his early art passion and friendships with Debbie Harry and Jean-Michel Basquiat. [Photo above of Fab 5 Freddy by Eric Johnson]

Fred Brathwaite, also known as Fab 5 Freddy, is a visual and graffiti artist and filmmaker whose name…

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Alex Bregman’s Road to a $175 Million Chicago Cubs Deal Began With a Lucky Break: The All-Star third baseman on his supportive parents, powering through disappointment and house hunting in his new city.

Alex Bregman plays third base for the Chicago Cubs, who signed him in January to a five-year, $175-million contract. He played in three All-Star games an…

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Kurt Russell Kicked Elvis Presley and Wound Up Playing Him: The ‘Madison’ actor on his passion for log homes, how he spent his first acting check and his 43-year love affair with Goldie Hawn.

Kurt Russell is an actor known for the “Fast and the Furious” film franchise and the movies “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” He co-stars in …

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Liza Minnelli is an actress, singer and dancer who won an Oscar for her role in the 1972 film “Cabaret” and has also received four Tonys, an Emmy and an honorary Grammy. She is the author of “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!” (Grand Central), a memoir. [Photo above of Liza Minnelli by Greg Gorman]

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Thin Lizzy was ahead of its time and a victim of lousy luck. Formed in 1969, the Irish hard-rock band released five unsuccessful albums in a row, starting in 1971. Despite the first three on Decca and the second two on Vertigo failing to chart in the U.S., Vertigo gave the band one last shot. After “Jailbreak,” the sixth LP, was released 50 years ago th…

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Julianne Nicholson is an actress who won Emmys for her roles in the series “Mare of Easttown” and “Hacks.” She co-stars in the new season of the Hulu series “Paradise.” [Photo above of Julianne Nicholson in 2025 by Shayan Asgharnia]

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Jeremy Irons is an English actor who won an Oscar for Reversal of Fortune, a Tony for The Real Thing and three Emmys, one for the series Elizabeth I. He has appeared in more than 60 films and co-stars in the PBS series The Count of Monte Cristo, due March 1. [Photo above of Jeremy Irons in Seville, Spain, in 2024 by Gianfranco Tripodo]

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The album was released 50 years ago this month just as disco was picking up steam commercially. Though the LP was loaded with songs about lost love and bad luck, the LP glamorized its bluesy mood with slick, seductive arrangements that reflected the era’s dance craze.

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Constance Zimmer is an actress known for the TV series Entourage, Unreal and House of Cards. She co-stars in the FX series Love Story and the new season of Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer. [Photo above of Constance Zimmer by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]

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Gina Gershon is an actress known for the films Showgirls, Bound, Woody Allen’s Rifkin’s Festival and the TV series The Assassin, as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her new memoir is AlphaPussy (Akashic). [Photo above of Gina Gerson by Billy Bennight/Zuma Press]

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David Lyons is an Australian actor known for TV’s “ER” and “Revolution” and the movies “Safe Haven” and “Eat Pray Love.” He co-stars in Netflix’s “The Beast in Me” and season three of “The Night Agent.”

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Claire Foy is an Emmy Award-winning British actress known for the film “First Man” and for playing Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons of “The Crown.” She stars in the film “H Is for Hawk.” [Photo above of Claire Foy by ] you have a WSJ.com subscription, go here. [Photo above of Claire Foy in The Crown by Jason Bell/Netflix]

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Actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis is known for her roles in the sitcoms “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “New Girl” and in the film “Licorice Pizza.” She currently co-stars in the Netflix series “A Man on the Inside.” [Photo above of Mary Elizabeth Ellis by Robyn Von Swank]

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Peter Frampton’s landmark live album became a runaway success thanks to his soulful singing and the music’s punchy pop-rock energy, captured in a recording of remarkable clarity.

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Justin Theroux, 54, is an actor known for the films Mulholland Drive and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and the series The Leftovers. He currently co-stars in season 2 of the Prime Video series Fallout. [Photo above of Justin Theroux by Lexie Moreland/Getty Images]

Here’s Justin in David Lynch’s brilliant Mulholland Drive (2001) visiting The Cowboy…

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