Only half-chidingly dubbed by Esquire magazine as “the best woman in the world, in terms of her generosity, her dedication, and her courage,” Jolie seemed intent on remaking her image on her own terms, even as the tabloids struggled to scandalize it. In the mid-2000s, Jolie’s public profile exploded into another stratosphere when she became romantically linked with the sexiest man alive, Brad Pitt – before and after he and his then wife, Jennifer Aniston called it quits. After the scandalous divorce, Pitt and Jolie slowly came out as a couple to the delight of the world’s paparazzi. Now one half of the “most gorgeous couple on earth,” Jolie used her high profile and celebrity to bring attention to a number of worthwhile causes – winning the grudging respect of even the most cynical of her critics.

Britney Spears will play a secretary in her forthcoming cameo in sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The show's star Neil Patrick Harris has revealed all about Spears' forthcoming acting foray, dubbing her part a "very interesting role." She says, "I was shocked that Madame Spears was willing to come and do some acting! She hasn't acted in a while. She plays the secretary to another girl that Ted (played by Josh Radnor) is after.

"It will be very unlike any Britney we have seen before, and we have seen a lot of Britney recently." And Harris is intrigued about the prospect of meeting the troubled superstar: "What if she shows up on set and she is absolutely, totally normal and that whole thing has been a big ruse? She is smoking a cigarette and (says), 'Oh yes, it is all a big bit. I have a master plan.'"

Full Biography

Lindsay Lohan

When it came time to find a young actress to assume the role of the twins (originated by Hayley Mills) for the 1998 remake of the film "The Parent Trap," an exhaustive casting search occurred throughout the USA, Canada and even in London. Perhaps because the behind-the-scenes figures opted to avoid the obvious and cast the Olsen twins, thousands of girls were considered. After three callbacks and a screen test with stars Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson, freckle-faced Long Islander, Lindsay Lohan, won the role. Although she was just 11 years old when she was cast, she had an impressive resume. As the lovely redhead grew into adulthood, she continued to impress critics and gain fans of all ages – but most particularly, the ‘tween set who grew up along with her. After making her star-making turn in the hit comedy, “Mean Girls,” and her first adult romance with actor Wilmer Valderrama, Lohan became a favorite of the press. But once the still underage actress began hitting the town, losing drastic weight and getting into numerous fender benders – to say nothing of her numerous trips to the hospital for various reasons – it was then that the tabloids and blog sites began referencing her wild child ways more than her still consistently good work on screen.

Born July 2, 1986 in New York City, NY, Lindsay Morgan Lohan was the oldest child of four born to mother Dina Lohan, a former Radio City Rockette, and Michael Lohan, a long-time Wall Street trader. Their daughter began modeling at age three and was purported to be the first red-haired child signed by the Ford Modeling Agency. TV commercials for various products followed, including a Jell-O spot with pitchman Bill Cosby. Lohan also had recurring roles on two daytime dramas – CBS' "Guiding Light" and as Ali Fowler on NBC's "Another World" – before she landed the first movie role for which she ever auditioned. Playing twins separated at birth – one American and one British – for "The Parent Trap" remake, she turned in a delightful and skilled performance which led to numerous offers for the youngster. Lohan next filmed the telepic "Life-Size" (2000) – originally a "Wonderful World of Disney" production later released on home video – opposite Tyra Banks as a Barbie-style doll come-to-life – part of Lohan's three-picture deal with Disney. In 2000, Lohan was cast as Bette Midler's teen daughter on the short-lived CBS sitcom, "Bette" (2000). After shooting the pilot episode, the show's producers decided it would be easier on the L.A.-based crew if filming moved to California, so Lindsay gave up the role to stay in New York.