1

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley

Image: Олег Мороз

If someone mentions Sigourney Weaver, one character instantly comes to mind: Ellen Ripley. Weaver first played her in Alien (1979) and then returned for three sequels in 1986, 1992, and 1997. Her performance was groundbreaking, redefining female roles in action films. And while Weaver has had many other great roles, none have matched the legendary status of Ripley.

2

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter

Image: Josh Mackey

Although Anthony Hopkins has an extensive and varied filmography, one role stands out above all others: the chilling Hannibal Lecter, one of the most iconic villains in movie history. Hopkins first portrayed him in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), alongside the brilliant Jodie Foster. He later returned to the role in Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002).

3

Julie Andrews – Mary Poppins

Image: Guillaume de Germain

We'll always love Julie Andrews for bringing the magical Mary Poppins to life in the 1964 Disney classic. Believe it or not, that was her very first film, and it earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress! Just a year later, she captivated audiences again in The Sound of Music , but Mary Poppins remains the role most closely tied to her charming persona.

4

Al Pacino – Michael Corleone

Image: Tibor Pinter

Al Pacino first appeared as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) and returned for the sequels in 1974 and 1990. His powerful performance turned Michael into one of the most iconic characters in film history. To this day, it's almost impossible not to think of Pacino as the unforgettable and complex successor to Don Corleone.

5

Marlon Brando – Don Vito Corleone

Image: Maximilian Kopsch

When it comes to exceptional characters, we can't leave out Don Vito Corleone, brought to life by the legendary Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972). This role was so iconic that it redefined the image of the gangster on screen. When we picture Brando, we often imagine him wearing the prosthetics he used to portray the mob boss. The performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously declined in protest of Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans.

6

John Travolta – Tony Manero

Image: Paul Zoetemeijer

Although John Travolta has played many roles throughout his career, the one that defined him was the unique Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977). From the moment he appeared on screen in that white suit nearly 50 years ago, Travolta became forever linked to the disco king who ruled the dance floor and captured countless hearts along the way.

7

Lynda Carter – Wonder Woman

Image: Dale de Vera

From 1975 to 1979, Lynda Carter brought Wonder Woman to life in a way that left a lasting mark on television. Her performance was so memorable that it defined the character for an entire generation. For many of us, Lynda Carter is Wonder Woman, and it's hard to imagine anyone else filling those iconic boots.

8

Tom Hanks – Forrest Gump

Image: Yosuke Ota

If there's one thing our generation knows well, it's that "life is like a box of chocolates." That memorable line comes from Forrest Gump , played by Tom Hanks in 1994. With his big heart, kindness, and unexpected wisdom, Forrest won over audiences everywhere. The impact of the character was so powerful that it not only cemented Hanks’ status as a leading actor but also forever linked his image to the role.

9

Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones

Image: Intricate Explorer

If there's one actor forever tied to Indiana Jones , it’s Harrison Ford. He first took on the role in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and then embodied the archaeologist again in sequels released in 1984, 1989, 2008, and 2023. With his iconic fedora and whip, Ford made the character unforgettable, so much so that it's hard to imagine anyone else bringing him to life.

10

Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa

Image: Luisa Frassier

Although some producers wanted to cast another actor, Sylvester Stallone refused to let anyone else bring the story of Rocky Balboa to the screen. As we know, Stallone wrote the script with the intention of playing the role himself, and thank goodness he did! It's hard to imagine anyone else portraying the iconic boxer the way he did. And we're not the only ones who think so; the Academy clearly agreed, as Rocky (1976) earned ten Oscar nominations.

1

Federal holiday

Image: Kyrie kim

Every year in America, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 3rd Monday of January. This date was chosen because MLK was born on January 15, 1929, which fell on a Thursday.

But did you know that MLK Day is the only US federal holiday that celebrates the birthday of someone who wasn't a US president? Can you guess what the other one is? That’s right—it’s Presidents’ Day, observed on the 3rd Monday of February in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

2

Not afraid

Image: Grant Durr

If there’s one thing that defines MLK, it’s his bravery. And just as he was not afraid to confront the oppressive norms of his time, neither was he afraid of jail. In fact, he was arrested between 25 and 30 times, always for reasons related to his nonviolent activism.

It was during one of these arrests, in 1963, that he wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail.

3

Improvisation

Image: Demure Storyteller

Martin Luther King Jr.'s " I Have a Dream" speech remains one of the most famous speeches in the world to this day. Those powerful, inspiring words could only come from a brilliant mind. But did you know that part of his speech was improvised?

That's right! On August 28, 1963, MLK impressed the world from the Lincoln Memorial steps with a carefully prepared speech, but he also added spontaneous thoughts inspired by the excitement of the moment. In fact, the speech's most famous words—the ones that gave it its title—weren’t part of the original draft.

4

Star Trek fan

Image: Stefan Cosma

MLK was also someone who appreciated quality TV. He was known to be a fan of the original Star Trek series.

But he wasn't just a fan—he went on to influence the show! Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura, was about to leave the show, but she met King, and he encouraged her to stay. He believed that Nichols' role was crucial in inspiring young African Americans.

5

Birth name

Image: insung yoon

The famous Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, as Michael King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, named after his father, Michael King Sr. However, a few years later, that would change.

In 1934, after learning about Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, Michael King Sr. decided to change both his own name and his son’s to Martin Luther King Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr., respectively.

6

College at 15

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Martin Luther King Jr. skipped several grades and entered college at the young age of 15! Given his remarkable intelligence, this isn’t surprising, but his brilliance never fails to impress.

In 1944, he was admitted to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. His studies there helped shape his critical perspective on society and its dynamics. Additionally, it was during his time at Morehouse that he decided to become a minister.

7

The first on Time

Image: NordWood Themes

Time magazine's Person of the Year (originally called "Man of the Year") debuted in 1927, with American aviator Charles Lindbergh gracing the cover.

It took 36 years for the first African American to earn this recognition. Of course, that honor went to Martin Luther King Jr., who was named Person of the Year in 1963 , following the historic March on Washington and his unforgettable " I Have a Dream " speech.

8

Julia Roberts!

Image: Nikhil Mistry

Just when you think there are no more surprises , here’s a fact that will astonish you: What do Martin Luther King Jr. and actress Julia Roberts have in common?

It turns out that Julia Roberts’ mom, Betty Lou Bredemus, was an active member of the Civil Rights Movement—even during her pregnancy—making her well-known to Martin Luther King Jr.'s family. And here’s the surprising part: MLK’s parents helped cover the medical expenses for Julia Roberts’ birth!

9

He lived to 39

Image: Unseen Histories

His impressive career, filled with groundbreaking achievements, might lead us to believe that he had many years to achieve all of it.

However, the minister was still a young man when he was tragically attacked on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Sadly, Martin Luther King Jr. lived to be only 39 years old.

10

Writer

Image: Aaron Burden

MLK was not only a leader, activist, thinker, pastor, and Nobel Peace Prize winner; he was also a writer. That's right! King Jr. wrote several articles, letters, and books.

Among the most cited are his books Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958), Strength to Love (1963), Why We Can't Wait (1964), Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967), and the Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963).

1

Smoked mackerel & leek hash

Image: Denis Agati

If you have 250 grams of potatoes, two large leeks, a can of smoked mackerel, and four eggs , you can make this delicious dish.

Cook the potatoes in the microwave for five minutes. Meanwhile, heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the leeks with a pinch of salt, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, increase the heat, and fry for a couple of minutes. Flake the mackerel into the pan. Make four indents in the leek mixture, crack an egg into each, then cover the pan and cook for 6–8 minutes, until the whites have set and the yolks remain runny.

2

Cacio e pepe

Image: Immo Wegmann

You probably have a packet of dried spaghetti in your pantry. For this recipe, you’ll need 200 grams of spaghetti , 25 grams of butter , 50 grams of finely grated pecorino or parmesan cheese , and some black pepper .

Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium frying pan over low heat, add the ground black pepper, and toast for a few minutes. Transfer the pasta to the pan along with 100 ml of pasta water. Toss briefly, then evenly sprinkle the cheese over the pasta—but don’t stir. Let the cheese melt for 30 seconds, then toss everything together and stir until well combined.

3

Peanut butter & jam flapjacks

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Peanut butter and jelly have saved the day more than once, and they do it again in this simple recipe. You’ll need 5 tablespoons of salted butter , 250 grams of peanut butter , 8 tablespoons of strawberry or raspberry jam , and 200 grams of rolled oats .

Preheat the oven, butter a 20 cm square cake tin, and line the base and sides with baking parchment. Put 3 tablespoons each of the peanut butter and jam in separate small bowls and set aside. Put the remaining peanut butter, the rest of the jam, and the butter and sugar into a pan set over medium heat and stir. Add the oats, then leave to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer it to the prepared cake tin and gently press it down with your hands. Dot the reserved peanut butter and jam over the top, then bake for 20–25 minutes.

4

Caramelized banana & chocolate pie

Image: Mike Dorner

This is a great dessert to improvise if you have three bananas , 70 grams of hazelnuts , 150 grams of dark chocolate , a 500-gram block of puff pastry , and three tablespoons of brown sugar .

Preheat the oven. Process the hazelnuts in a small food processor, then transfer them to a bowl with the chocolate. Roll out the pastry into a 30 cm circle on a sheet of baking parchment. Sprinkle the chocolate and hazelnut mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a 5 cm border. Arrange the bananas on top and scatter most of the remaining hazelnuts over them. Fold the pastry edges over the filling. Transfer the pie, along with the baking parchment, to a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. Bake for 25–30 minutes.

5

Garlic chicken parcels

Image: Claudio Schwarz

You will need two chicken breasts , a 320-gram sheet of all-butter puff pastry , 150 grams of garlic and herb cream cheese , half a lemon , and 200 grams of green beans and broccoli .

Heat the oven. Cut a slit halfway into each chicken breast, then place each one between two sheets of baking parchment and flatten slightly with a rolling pin. Cut the pastry sheet in half widthwise and place both halves on a baking tray. Place a chicken breast on top of each pastry half, then fill the cavities with the cream cheese. Sprinkle with lemon zest, then fold the edges of the pastry over the chicken and pinch to seal. Flip each parcel over so the seam is on the bottom. Then bake for 30 minutes until deep golden. About 10 minutes before your parcels are ready, steam or boil the greens until tender. Toss with a little oil, season, and serve.

6

Red pepper linguine

Image: amirali mirhashemian

The second pasta recipe on our list requires one roasted red pepper , a bit of olive oil , 50 grams of walnuts , a small garlic clove , 100 grams of spaghetti or linguine , and some parmesan cheese .

In a food processor, blend the roasted red pepper with the olive oil, walnuts, and garlic until smooth. Season well and set aside. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions indicate. Drain, reserving a bit of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan, add the reserved cooking water and red pepper sauce, and warm through over low heat. Serve in a bowl, topped with parmesan and some chopped toasted walnuts.

7

Creamy tomato courgetti

Image: Caroline Attwood

The original recipe calls for Parma ham, but any ham you have in your fridge will do. You will need four slices of ham , half a pack of basil , 350 grams of tomato and mascarpone sauce , and a 250-gram pack of courgetti .

Tear the ham and basil into coarse pieces. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and dry-fry the ham until crisp. Transfer the ham and basil to a plate, then add the sauce to the same pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then stir in the courgetti. Cook for 1 more minute until warmed through. Divide between bowls and top with the ham and basil.

8

Jerk prawn & coconut rice bowls

Image: blackieshoot

If you have a 150-gram pack of peeled prawns , a bit of jerk seasoning , a 400-gram can of kidney beans in chili sauce , and a 250-gram pouch of ready-cooked coconut rice , you can make this quick and flavorful dish.

Heat a bit of oil in a large frying pan, add the prawns and jerk seasoning, and cook for two minutes. Drain the beans, reserving three tablespoons of the chili sauce. Add the beans to the pan along with the reserved sauce and coconut rice. Fry for 3–4 minutes, then season with salt to taste.

9

Sweet potatoes with mushrooms & rosemary

Image: Louis Hansel

If you have sweet potatoes lying around and aren’t sure what to make, here’s an idea. You’ll need two sweet potatoes , 200 grams of halved chestnut mushrooms , a bit of freshly chopped rosemary , and some Parmesan cheese .

Preheat the oven. Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, then microwave them for 8–10 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, heat a bit of oil in a non-stick pan, add the mushrooms and rosemary, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and lightly browned. Season to taste. Transfer the potatoes to the oven and roast for 15 minutes until the skins start to crisp. Split them open, top with the mushrooms, and sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

10

Sweet chili dogs

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

Who doesn’t love hot dogs? Or chili? This extra-simple recipe combines both. You’ll need four fat sausages , two onions , a bit of chili sauce , four hot dog buns , and two tablespoons of tomato purée .

Preheat the oven. Place the sausages in a roasting tin and cook for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Meanwhile, fry the onions in a bit of oil until softened. Stir in the chili sauce and tomato purée, season to taste, and cook for 1 minute more. Split the hot dog buns, add a spoonful of the sweet chili onions, place a sausage in each, then top with another spoonful of onions. Enjoy!