Freeman’s long career has been marked by distinction in varied parts, from a convict in “The Shawshank Redemption” to a chauffeur in “Driving Miss Daisy” and God in “Bruce Almighty” and “Evan Almighty.” He has been nominated for an Academy Award five times and won the best supporting actor Oscar for Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” (2005). Eastwood again directed Freeman in “Invictus,” in the role of Nelson Mandela.

Clooney rose to fame, and eventual movie stardom, in the role of Dr. Doug Ross in the hit NBC series “ER,” from 1994 to 1999. He has been nominated for five Academy Awards and won a best supporting actor Oscar for “Syriana” (2005). In addition, Clooney has branched out into directing, producing and screenwriting. In “Up in the Air,” he played a corporate hatchet man who flies around the U.S. firing people.

Bridges, the son of the late actor Lloyd Bridges and the brother of actor Beau Bridges, has starred in iconic movies such as “The Last Picture Show,” “The Fisher King,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys” and “The Big Lebowski.” He has received five Academy Award nominations in a film career that dates to 1971. In “Crazy Heart,” he plays down-on-his luck country singer and songwriter Bad Blake. Bridges is said to be a favorite to win his first Oscar.

Firth first got the public’s attention playing the brooding, handsome Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC version of “Pride and Prejudice.” He appeared in the box office hit “Mamma Mia!” (2008), two “Bridget Jones” films and has won accolades for “A Single Man,” the first movie directed by Tom Ford, in which Firth plays an English professor trying to cope with the death of his lover in a car accident. He won the best actor award at the Venice Film Festival and also received the BAFTA award for best actor.

Renner’s breakthrough performance as a member of a team that disarms roadside bombs in the Iraq war film “The Hurt Locker” has earned him critical praise. He received the best actor award from the Boston Society of Film Critics and from the National Society of Film Critics. The Modesto, Calif.-born actor, whose career has included smaller roles in films such as “North Country” and “28 Weeks Later,” will star this year alongside Jon Hamm, Blake Lively and Ben Affleck in “The Town,” directed by Affleck.