CAST

WILL SMITH (Oscar) has enjoyed success in a career encompassing hit films, his own television series and multi-platinum records. He earned an Academy Award® nomination for his portrayal of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's acclaimed biopic "Ali." In addition, he received Golden Globe and Image Award nominations for the role and was named the 2002's Male Star of the Year at ShoWest.

This year, Smith continued his succession of mega-hit July releases with the sci-fi smash "I, Robot," taken from the book by Isaac Asimov and directed by Alex Proyas, on which Smith served as an executive producer. In July 2003, he reunited with Martin Lawrence for "Bad Boys II," the sequel to their 1995 hit "Bad Boys." Smith had earlier starred in two blockbusters that topped the box office in back-to-back summers. In 1996, he took on alien invaders in Roland Emmerich's science fiction actioner "Independence Day." The following year, he starred with Tommy Lee Jones in Barry Sonnenfeld's sci-fi comedy "Men in Black," for which Smith also recorded the Grammy-winning title song. In 2002, Smith, Jones and Sonnenfeld reteamed for the sequel "Men in Black II."

Smith was already a Grammy-winning recording artist when he made his successful transition to acting in television and films. Following roles in the movies "Where the Day Takes You" and "Made in America," he received widespread critical acclaim for his starring role in the drama "Six Degrees of Separation," with Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland. In 1995, he was named ShoWest's Male Star of Tomorrow.

His film credits also include "Enemy of the State," opposite Gene Hackman, for which he earned an Image Award nomination; "Wild Wild West," for which he also recorded the hit title song; and the title role in Robert Redford's "The Legend of Bagger Vance," which brought him an Image Award nomination. He next stars in the romantic comedy "Hitch," for director Andy Tennant, which Smith is also producing.

Smith began his career in the music industry while still in high school. Teaming with his friend Jeff Townes to form DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Smith became a chart-topping rap artist. Together, they recorded several platinum and multi-platinum albums, and won numerous awards, including two Grammys and three American Music Awards.

Smith's musical success led to his starring in the hit television sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," which ran for six years on NBC. Smith earned two Golden Globe Award nominations and two Image Award nominations for his work on the show.

Continuing to record, Smith released his first solo album, Big Willie Style, in 1998, for which he won a Grammy and four American Music Awards. In 1999, he was honored at the Image Awards as the Entertainer of the Year. His next CD, Willennium, featuring the hit single "Will2K," went double platinum. As a producer, Smith is partnered with James Lassiter in Overbrook Entertainment. Under the Overbrook banner, Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, co-created and produced the UPN comedy series "All of Us."

ROBERT DE NIRO (Don Lino) is one of the most honored actors of our time. A two-time Academy Award® winner, De Niro won his first Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the young Vito Corleone in 1974's "The Godfather, Part II." Six years later, he took home his second Academy Award®, this time for Best Actor, for his transformation into boxer Jake La Motta in Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull." For his work on that film, De Niro also won Golden Globe, National Board of Review and the New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Awards.

De Niro has earned four additional Academy Award® nominations for his indelible performances in Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver," Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter," Penny Marshall's "Awakenings," and Scorsese's remake of "Cape Fear." He also received the New York, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics Awards for "Taxi Driver"; a Golden Globe nomination for "The Deer Hunter"; and the National Board of Review Award for "Awakenings."

De Niro had earlier won the National Society of Film Critics' Best Supporting Actor Award for his work in Scorsese's "Mean Streets," and the New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Bang the Drum Slowly." His many honors also include a New York Film Critics Award for his work in Scorsese's "Goodfellas," and Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in Martin Brest's "Midnight Run" and Scorsese's "New York, New York."

Considered a consummate dramatic actor, De Niro has, in recent years, been recognized as much for his comedic work. He starred opposite Billy Crystal in 1999's smash hit comedy "Analyze This," for which he earned Golden Globe and American Comedy Award nominations. The following year, he was again nominated for both awards for his performance as the fearsome prospective father-in-law, Jack Byrnes, in "Meet the Parents," with Ben Stiller. He and Crystal reunited in 2002 for "Analyze That," and later this year, De Niro will reprise the role of Jack Byrnes in "Meet the Fockers," in which he stars with Stiller, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.

De Niro's other upcoming films include the dramatic thrillers "Hide and Seek" and "Chaos," which he is also producing, and the drama "The Bridge of San Rey." In addition, De Niro will direct the drama "The Good Shepherd," in which he will also star with Leonardo DiCaprio.

His long list of film credits also includes Elia Kazan's "The Last Tycoon"; Bernardo Bertolucci's "1900"; Ulu Grossbard's "True Confessions" and "Falling in Love"; Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America"; Martin Scorsese's "King of Comedy" and "Casino"; Terry Gilliam's "Brazil"; Roland Joffe's "The Mission"; Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" and "The Wedding Party"; Alan Parker's "Angel Heart"; Martin Ritt's "Stanley & Iris"; Neil Jordan's "We're No Angels"; Ron Howard's "Backdraft"; Michael Caton-Jones' "This Boy's Life"; Kenneth Branagh's "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein"; Michael Mann's "Heat"; Jerry Zaks' "Marvin's Room"; James Mangold's "Cop Land"; Barry Levinson's "Sleepers" and "Wag the Dog"; Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown"; Alfonso Cuaron's "Great Expectations"; John Frankenheimer's "Ronin"; and Joel Schumacher's "Flawless."

A native New Yorker, De Niro takes great pride in his production company, Tribeca Productions, as well as the Tribeca Film Center, which launched the first Tribeca Film Festival in 2003. Under the Tribeca banner, De Niro has produced, directed and/or starred in a variety of film and television projects, including many of the aforementioned films. The production company's first project was the acclaimed 1992 television series "Tribeca," on which De Niro served as an executive producer.

RENÉE ZELLWEGER (Angie) won an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress this year for her performance in Anthony Minghella's Civil War drama "Cold Mountain." In addition, Zellweger swept the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Critics Choice and BAFTA Awards for her portrayal of the strong-willed and independent Ruby Thewes.

The Oscar® win for "Cold Mountain" also marked Zellweger's third consecutive Academy Award® nomination. In 2002, she earned a Best Actress nod for her work in the title role of "Bridget Jones's Diary," for which she also garnered Golden Globe, SAG, Critics Choice and BAFTA Awards nominations. The following year, she earned her second Academy Award® nomination for her portrayal of the murderous Roxie Hart in Rob Marshall's screen adaptation of Bob Fosse's smash hit musical "Chicago." Her acting/singing/dancing performance in that movie also brought Zellweger Golden Globe and SAG Awards for Best Actress. In addition, she shared in SAG and Critics Choice Awards won for Best Ensemble Cast, which included Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah. Zellweger next reprises the role of Bridget Jones in the sequel "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," being released on November 19, 2004. She recently completed production on "Cinderella Man," in which she stars opposite Russell Crowe under the direction of Ron Howard.

Hailing from Texas, Zellweger graduated from the University of Texas before landing her first acting roles in the television projects "A Taste for Killing" and "Murder in the Heartland." While still living in Texas, she made her feature film debut in Richard Linklater's coming-of-age film "Dazed and Confused," followed by supporting roles in Ben Stiller's "Reality Bites" and John G. Avildsen's "8 Seconds." Zellweger's first starring role came in 1994's "Love and a .45," for which she earned her first Independent Spirit Award nomination. She went on to star in "The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Empire Records" and "The Whole Wide World," for which she gained another Independent Spirit Award nomination.

However, it was her performance opposite Tom Cruise in Cameron Crowe's "Jerry Maguire" that catapulted Zellweger to international stardom. Her portrayal of single mother Dorothy Boyd, who risks everything for love, brought Zellweger Critics Choice and National Board of Review Awards for Breakthrough Performer of the Year, as well as a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress.

Zellweger won her first Golden Globe Award in 2001 for her performance as a deluded soap opera fan in Neil LaBute's dark comedy "Nurse Betty," with Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock. Her other film credits include starring roles in "One True Thing," with Meryl Streep and William Hurt; the romantic comedy "The Bachelor," with Chris O'Donnell; the Farrelly brothers' "Me, Myself & Irene," opposite Jim Carrey; the drama "White Oleander," with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robin Wright-Penn; and the romantic comedy "Down With Love," opposite Ewan McGregor.

JACK BLACK (Lenny) is currently filming a remake of the classic "King Kong," in which he stars with Naomi Watts under the direction of Peter Jackson. Black was recently honored with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for his starring role as Dewey Finn, a down-and-out rock star-turned-elementary schoolteacher in the hit comedy "The School of Rock." Black also won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for his hilarious portrayal of the substitute teacher who turns his fourth grade class into a rock band. In addition, he was named the Comedy Star of the Year at this year's ShoWest Convention.

Black has been one of the industry's most popular comedy stars since his breakout role in Stephen Frears' critically acclaimed romantic comedy "High Fidelity." For his scene-stealing performance as a sarcastic music store employee, Black won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor, and also received American Comedy Award and MTV Movie Award nominations. He went on to star opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in the title role of the Farrelly brothers' comedy "Shallow Hal." He also co-starred with Colin Hanks in "Orange County," scripted by "School of Rock" screenwriter Mike White, and lent his voice to the role of Zeke in the animated comedy hit "Ice Age."

Black had earlier made his feature film debut in Tim Robbins' political comedy "Bob Roberts." Robbins later cast him in the dramatic features "Dead Man Walking" and "Cradle Will Rock." Black's other film credits include Barry Levinson's "Envy," with Ben Stiller; the comedy "Saving Silverman"; the critically acclaimed drama "Jesus' Son"; Tony Scott's action thriller "Enemy of the State"; Michael Caton-Jones' dramatic thriller "The Jackal"; Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!"; Tony Scott's "The Fan"; and Ben Stiller's dark comedy "The Cable Guy."

In addition to his acting work, Black partnered with his friend Kyle Gass to form the folk-rock group Tenacious D, in which Black is the lead singer. Their self-titled first album was released in the fall of 2001 on Epic Records and was quickly certified gold. Tenacious D also had a variety series on HBO that aired in 1999, and more recently released their first DVD, "Tenacious D: The Masterworks," which has been certified platinum (five times over). Black is also planning to bring Tenacious D to the big screen in the film "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny."

ANGELINA JOLIE (Lola) was honored with an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the 1999 drama "Girl, Interrupted." For her multi-layered performance as the young, streetwise mental patient Lisa Rowe, Jolie also won the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and Critics Choice Awards in the same category. She was also named the Supporting Actress of the Year at the 2000 ShoWest Convention.

In addition to being an award-winning dramatic actress, Jolie has emerged as one of the film industry's most popular female action stars. In 2001, she starred in the title role of the hit film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," and she later reprised her role in the sequel "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life." She also starred as a car thief, teamed with Nicolas Cage and Robert Duvall, in the crime actioner "Gone in Sixty Seconds."

Jolie more recently starred in D.J. Caruso's thriller "Taking Lives," with Ethan Hawke and Kiefer Sutherland; Martin Campbell's drama "Beyond Borders"; Stephen Herek's romantic comedy "Life or Something Like It"; and the dramatic thriller "Original Sin," opposite Antonio Banderas, which reunited her with writer/director Michael Cristopher.

Jolie had previously collaborated with Michael Cristopher when he directed her in the title role of the 1998 HBO movie "Gia," about the life and tragic death of supermodel Gia Carangi. Jolie's unflinching performance as the stunning young woman whose life was cut short by drug abuse and then AIDS brought her Golden Globe and SAG Awards, as well as an Emmy Award nomination. She received dual Emmy nominations that year, earning another one for her work in John Frankenheimer's miniseries "George Wallace," opposite Gary Sinise. Jolie also won a Golden Globe Award and garnered a Cable ACE Award nomination for her portrayal of the controversial Alabama governor's second wife, Cornelia.

She first gained the attention of critics and audiences with starring roles in such films as Iain Softley's "Hackers" and Annette Haywood-Carter's "Foxfire." Jolie then joined the all-star ensemble cast of "Playing by Heart," winning the National Board of Review's award for Breakthrough Performance of the Year for her work in the film. She went on to star in Mike Newell's "Pushing Tin," with John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, and Phillip Noyce's thriller "The Bone Collector," opposite Denzel Washington.

This fall, Jolie is starring in two more feature films in addition to "Shark Tale." She next stars with Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow in the sci-fi action adventure "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." In November, she stars in Oliver Stone's epic biopic "Alexander," opposite Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great. She most recently wrapped filming on the romantic action adventure "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," in which she stars with Brad Pitt under the direction of Doug Liman.

MARTIN SCORSESE (Sykes) is best known as one of the film industry's most respected filmmakers. He has earned six Academy Award® nominations, including four for Best Director and two for Best Adapted Screenplay. His most recent Oscar® nomination came in 2003 for his directing work on the epic "Gangs of New York." That same year, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director and was honored by his peers with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America (DGA), as well as a DGA Award nomination for Best Director.

Scorsese most recently directed "The Aviator," a biopic about the early years of the legendary director and aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes, which is due out in December 2004.

Born in New York City, Scorsese was raised in the neighborhood known as "Little Italy," which would later come to inform several of his films. While earning a Masters Degree from New York University's School of Film, he made a number of prize-winning short films, including "The Big Shave." He made his feature film directorial debut in 1969 with "Who's That Knocking at My Door," and served as assistant director and an editor on the seminal documentary "Woodstock."

In 1973, Scorsese gained critical acclaim for his film "Mean Streets," which he also wrote and produced, and which marked his first collaboration with actor Robert De Niro. The following year, he directed his first documentary, "Italianamerican," and the feature "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." He followed with the drama "Taxi Driver," which won the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and brought Scorsese the first of his five DGA Award nominations, as well as a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director, and the Los Angeles Film Critics' New Generation Award.

Scorsese received his first Academy Award® nomination and his second DGA Award nomination for "Raging Bull," which earned a total of eight Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture. He also won another National Society of Film Critics Award and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work on the biopic about boxer Jake La Motta. Scorsese's second Oscar® nomination for Best Director came for 1988's controversial drama "The Last Temptation of Christ."

In 1991, Scorsese garnered dual Academy Award® nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for "Goodfellas." The crime drama also brought Scorsese another DGA Award nomination, as well as a Writers Guild Award nomination, two Golden Globe nominations, three BAFTA Awards, and Best Director Awards from several top critics groups, including the New York, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics.

Scorsese's other film directing credits include "New York, New York"; "The Last Waltz"; "The Color of Money"; "Cape Fear"; "The Age of Innocence," which he also co-wrote and for which he was Oscar®-nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay; "Casino"; "Kundun"; and "Bringing Out the Dead."

In addition, Scorsese has directed several documentaries for both the big and small screens, including "A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies," "Il Mio Viaggio In Italia" ("My Voyage to Italy"), and "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues," for PBS. He is currently working on a documentary about Bob Dylan.

Scorsese is the founder and chair of The Film Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of motion picture history, and is a co-chair of the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition to the aforementioned film awards, Scorsese's many individual honors include the AFI's Lifetime Achievement Award and a Golden Lion from the Venice Film Festival.

ZIGGY MARLEY (Ernie), a popular reggae artist with a legendary last name, makes his film acting and animation debut with "Shark Tale." Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, Marley was only ten years old when he started sitting in on recording sessions with his father's band, the renowned reggae troupe Bob Marley and the Wailers. Joining with his three siblings to form The Melody Makers, Ziggy Marley began crafting his own soulful sound, blending blues, R&B, hip hop, and roots reggae. The Melody Makers released their first album, Play the Game Right, in 1986, followed the next year by Hey World! The Melody Makers won their first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording for 1988's Conscious Party, which included the hit songs "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down." The following year they took home their second Grammy Award for the album One Bright Day. Over the next decade, The Melody Makers released five more CDs: Jahmekya; Joy and Blues; Free Like We Want 2 B; Fallen is Babylon, for which they won their third Grammy; and Spirit of Music. In 2000, the group put out the live album Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Live, Vol. 1, which featured performances of some of their biggest hits, as well as a cover of Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved."

After two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, Marley stepped out on his own in 2003 with his first solo album, Dragonfly.

DOUG E. DOUG (Bernie) first showcased his comedic talents as a stand-up comedian, but has since emerged as a comedy actor in films and on television. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Doug began doing stand-up at the age of 17, appearing at some of New York's best-known venues, including the Apollo Theatre and The Comic Strip. In 1990, he made his film debut with a small role in Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues." The following year, he landed his first major role in the independent feature "Hangin' With the Homeboys," for director Joseph B. Vasquez. Doug earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Male Lead for his performance as a rebellious teenager.

Doug then reunited with Spike Lee in "Jungle Fever," and subsequently appeared in the comedy "Class Act" and the horror comedy "Dr. Giggles." In 1993, Doug starred as a member of the upstart Jamaican bobsled team, who defied the odds to compete in the Winter Olympics, in Jon Turtletaub's smash hit comedy "Cool Runnings." He went on to star in the comedy "Operation Dumbo Drop" and a remake of the family classic "That Darn Cat." His more recent film credits include "Everything's Jake" and "Eight Legged Freaks." In addition, Doug made his feature film directorial debut with "Citizen James," which he also wrote, produced and starred in.

On television, Doug had a regular role on the series "Cosby," in which he starred with one of his idols and earliest inspirations, Bill Cosby. Doug earned three consecutive Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the show. He had earlier starred in the series "Where I Live," and has also had guest roles on a number of other shows.

MICHAEL IMPERIOLI (Frankie) is presently best known for his starring role on the award-winning HBO series "The Sopranos." His portrayal of Tony Soprano's nephew, Christopher, has brought Imperioli three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, the most recent coming this year. He has also earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In addition, Imperioli shared in a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award won by "The Sopranos" for Outstanding Ensemble Cast, and in three more SAG Award nominations in the same category.

Imperioli first gained attention for his performance as Spider in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas." He has since been seen in more than 40 films, including five for director Spike Lee: "Jungle Fever," "Malcolm X," "Clockers," "Girl 6" and "Summer of Sam," the last of which Imperioli also co-wrote and executive produced. His film credits go on to include "Peter Mattei's "Love In the Time of Money," Walter Hill's "Last Man Standing," Steve Buscemi's "Trees Lounge," Gary Winnick's "Sweet Nothing," Mary Harron's "I Shot Andy Warhol," the Hughes brothers' "Dead Presidents," Scott Kalvert's "The Basketball Diaries," Nancy Savoka's "Household Saints" and John G. Avildsen's "Lean on Me."

On television, Imperioli has appeared in a number of longform projects, including Hallmark's recent production of "Hamlet," directed by and starring Campbell Scott; the HBO movie "Disappearing Acts"; and "Witness to the Mob." He next stars in the Hallmark Production "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," to air on ABC in December.

An accomplished stage actor, Imperioli has also produced and directed a number of plays on the New York stage. He received critical acclaim for his performances in such plays as "Aven' U Boys," "Displaced Persons," "Half Deserted Street," "The Writing on the Wall" and "Little Blood Brother." He and his wife, Victoria, also launched Studio Dante, a 60-seat theatre to present new works. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Imperioli is also a screenwriter who has scripted several episodes of "The Sopranos." He also wrote the screen adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel Omerta.

VINCENT PASTORE (Luca) is a veteran character actor with a long list of film and television roles to his credit. He recently had a recurring role on the final season of "The Practice," and is also remembered for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's hit series "The Sopranos." His television work also includes HBO's "Gotti," with Armand Assante, and William H. Macy's "A Slight Case of Murder." In addition, he has guest starred on such series as "Less Than Perfect," "Ed" and "Law & Order," among others, and was the host of the TLC series "Repo Man: Stealing for a Living." On the big screen, he next begins filming "Revolver," under the direction of Guy Ritchie. Currently onscreen in the comedy "The Cookout," with Queen Latifah, Pastore has several more films upcoming, including the independent features "Return to Sleepaway Camp" and "Spy."

His recent feature film credits also include Reginald Hudlin's "Serving Sara," starring Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley; Scott Kalvert's "Deuces Wild," with Matt Dillon; Penny Marshall's "Riding in Cars With Boys," starring Drew Barrymore; Jon Favreau's "Made," with Favreau and Vince Vaughn; "Corky Romano"; Norman Jewison's "The Hurricane," starring Denzel Washington; and "Mickey Blue Eyes," with Hugh Grant. He had earlier been seen in such films as "Jane Austen's Mafia!," "The Jerky Boys," "Walking and Talking," Ted Demme's "Who's the Man," "True Love" and Scott Kalvert's "The Basketball Diaries."

PETER FALK (Don Feinberg) will forever be best known to generations of television fans as Lieutenant Columbo on the mystery-crime series "Columbo," which also spawned dozens of television movies. Falk won four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the deceptively disheveled but shrewdly discerning homicide detective. In addition, he earned six more Emmy nominations and two more Golden Globe nominations for the role of Columbo, which he has played for more than 30 years.

Falk was already a star of stage and screen long before he was cast in "Columbo," although he did not begin acting professionally until the age of 28. He started his career in 1956 in the off-Broadway production of "Don Juan," followed by a revival of "The Iceman Cometh." Over the next three years, he worked non-stop on the New York stage.

Leaving New York for Hollywood in 1960, Falk made an immediate impression, earning two consecutive Academy Award® nominations for Best Supporting Actor, in 1961 for "Murder, Inc." and the next year for Frank Capra's "Pocketful of Miracles." In 1961, he also received his first Emmy nomination for his performance in an episode of "The Law and Mr. Jones." The very next year, Falk won his first Emmy Award for his work on an episode of "The Dick Powell Show."

In 1963, Falk appeared in Stanley Kramer's comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." His notable early film credits also include the comedy "Robin and the 7 Hoods," co-starring with the "Rat Pack's" Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.; and Blake Edwards' "The Great Race." In 1965, Falk undertook his first television series, starring in the title role of "The Trials of O'Brien." Three years later, he first appeared as then-Sergeant Columbo in the television movie "Prescription: Murder." His other television credits include the movies "Brigadoon," "A Hatful of Rain," and, more recently, "A Storm in Summer," "A Town Without Christmas," "The Lost World" and "Finding John Christmas."

During the 1970s, Falk's film career was highlighted by three collaborations with his close friend, the late actor/director John Cassavetes: "Husbands" and "A Woman Under the Influence," both directed by Cassavetes; and "Mikey and Nicky," in which they starred under the direction of Elaine May. He has also had a long association with playwright Neil Simon that began on Broadway in 1971 with Falk's Tony Award-winning performance in "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," directed by Mike Nichols. Falk went on to star in the Simon-scripted films "Murder by Death" and "The Cheap Detective," and also starred in the 1995 television remake of Simon's "The Sunshine Boys."

Falk's film credits also include William Friedkin's "The Brink's Job," Arthur Hiller's "The In-Laws," Robert Aldrich's "...All the Marbles," Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride," Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire," Susan Seidelman's "Cookie," Joe Mantegna's "Lakeboat," and Jon Favreau's "Made." Continuing to return to the stage, Falk recently starred in Arthur Miller's "Mr. Peter's Connections," and "Defiled," the latter at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse.

KATIE COURIC (Katie Current) has been co-anchor of NBC's top-rated morning show, "Today," since April 5, 1991. She joined the program in June 1990 as its first national correspondent and then served as substitute co-anchor from February 1991 until being named the permanent co-anchor. In addition, she is a contributing anchor for "Dateline NBC."

Since joining NBC News in July 1989 as a deputy Pentagon correspondent, Couric has interviewed a panoply of world leaders, national political figures, writers, actors and pop culture icons. Her landmark interviews have ranged from presidents, presidential candidates and first ladies to exclusives with such newsmakers as Tricia Meili, widely known as the Central Park Jogger; John and Patsy Ramsey; family members of the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy; the parents of Matthew Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student who was the victim of a nationally publicized hate-crime incident; and John F. Kennedy, Jr., in his final interview.

In May 2001, Couric was honored with a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for her series "Confronting Colon Cancer," which aired on "Today" in March 2000. As a part of the series, she underwent a colonoscopy on camera in an effort to demystify the exam for the viewers. Her many honors also include six Emmys, a National Headliner Award, the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Award, an Associated Press Award, a Matrix Award, two Gracie Allen Awards, the Julius B. Richmond Award from the Harvard School of Public Health, and UNICEF's Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. Her piece on colon cancer also contributed to NBC News' 2001 Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence for the news department.

Couric has made colon cancer a major focus both in her work and in her personal life. In March 2000, along with Lilly Tartikoff and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, she launched the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA), in an effort to end the threat of colon cancer through education to encourage preventive testing and new medical research. These initiatives have met with some success. As a result of the attention NCCRA and NBC's "Today" show have focused on colorectal cancer, the number of colonoscopy screenings has increased almost 20%. Researchers at the University of Michigan refer to this as "the Couric Effect." In addition to a variety of annual events, Couric has hosted two enormously successful fundraisers, called "Hollywood Hits Broadway," which have raised close to $10 million for the NCCRA and the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Couric graduated with honors from the University of Virginia before beginning her career in 1979 as a desk assistant for the ABC News bureau in her native Washington, D.C. In 1980, she joined CNN as an assignment editor and later moved to Atlanta as an associate producer. She subsequently became the producer of a two-hour news and information program and eventually became a political correspondent. From 1984 to 1986, she was a general assignment reporter at NBC's WTVJ in Miami. From 1987 to 1989, Couric was a general assignment reporter at WRC-TV, the NBC television station in Washington, D.C. While there, she won an Emmy and an Associated Press Award for her work.