Born to a gifted furniture craftsman in Manhattan, Donner grew up with a powerful desire to act. After studying both business and theatre arts at New York University, he made the rounds of "five-line parts" in obscure productions.

Then he played a role in Martin Ritt's television production of W. Somerset Maugham's "Of Human Bondage." That experience spelled the end of his acting career.

After directing a number of distinguished plays in the days of live television in New York, and honing his skills alongside such other rising young television directors as Sidney Lumet, John Frankenheimer, and Arthur Penn, Donner moved to Los Angeles in 1958.

He began directing commercials, industrial films and some highly successful documentaries. He big break came when he was asked to direct his friend Steve McQueen in an episode of the series "Wanted: Dead or Alive."

Donner subsequently directed the pilots for such memorable series as "Kojak," "Bronk," and a multitude of others, as well as episodes of "The Detective," "Cannon," "The F.B.I.," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "The Wild, Wild West," "The Twilight Zone," and "The Fugitive." He also produced the critically-acclaimed movie of the week, "Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic."

His first big feature film hit was "The Omen."

Following the large-scale "Superman" production, Donner chose the intimate upbeat drama "Inside Moves," starring John Savage. His next picture was the comedy hit "The Toy," starring Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor, and the medieval romantic adventure "Ladyhawke," which he directed and produced, along with Lauren Shuler, with Harvey Bernhard executive producing.

Donner also directed the Warner Bros. hit "The Goonies" and serves as executive producer on Warner Bros.' upcoming "The Lost Boys," directed by Joel Schumacher.

Silver initially worked with Gordon developing, producing and marketing "Hooper" and "The End," both starring Burt Reynolds, and "The Driver," written and directed by Walter Hill. The film marked the start of a long and successful association. On Hill's next movie, "The Warriors," Silver acted as the associate producer.

After a period as Production Vice-President at Universal Pictures, where he supervised such films as "Smokey and the Bandit II," Silver co-produced the musical fantasy "Xanadu," starring Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John. The film gave him a chance to work in another area of interest: music. The film soundtrack sold more than six million copies and launched four Top Ten singles, including Newton-John's "Magic," which hit number one.

Along with Lawrence Gordon, Silver produced the $100-million grossing "48 HRS.," starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, as well as two other Walter Hill films, "Streets of Fire," and "Brewster's Millions." He was also the sole producer of "Weird Science," written and directed by John Hughes and starring Anthony Michael Hall and Kelly LeBrock.

Twentieth Century Fox Pictures' "Commando," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was another $100 million blockbuster for Silver and the first film produced under Silver's own banner, Silver Pictures. Silver's most recent productions were "Jumpin' Jack Flash," starring Whoopi Goldberg, and "The Predator," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, scheduled for release this summer.

In his rare moments away from filmmaking, Silver has concentrated on the restoration of the Storer House, his home in the Hollywood Hills. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923, Silver purchased the house in 1984 and, after a meticulous restoration process, it has become, according to Paul Goldberger in a New York Times Magazine profile, "among the most perfectly restored Wright houses in the United States."

She joined Richard Donner during the post-production period of "Ladyhawke," working on the development, production and release of "The Goonies" as well as "The Lost Boys." "Lethal Weapon" is her first credit as associate producer. Prior to becoming involved with feature film production, Lew worked with ICM in New York and Los Angeles.

It was during "Lethal Weapon" script discussions with producer Joel Silver that Black was invited to read for a role in Silver's film, "The Predator." Black won the part and will make his feature film debut as Hawkins, a young electronics genius of an elite rescue unit led by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

A second feature, co-written by Black and his longtime friend Fred Dekker, entitled "The Monster Squad," is scheduled for release later this year.

Riva began his career as a commercial photographer, then worked as a production designer on a number of low budget films to gather experience. He was the art director on "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" and became production designer on "Brubaker" with Robert Redford. Redford then hired him to production design his Oscar-winning "Ordinary People."

Riva received an Academy Award nomination for his work on "The Color Purple." His additional feature credits include "The Goonies," "Buckaroo Banzai," "Bad Boys," "Stranger's Kiss," "Slugger's Wife," and "Ilsa: Harem Keeper to the Oil Sheiks."

Clapton took up guitar at age 15, drawing inspiration from American blues artists such as Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James and others. Within a few years he had evolved his own style, clearly demonstrated on The Yardbirds' 1965 album, Five Live Yardbirds, on which he made his recording debut.

Clapton subsequently joined legendary British bluesman John Mayall, an association which yielded the groundbreaking album, Bluesbreakers Touring with Mayall, Clapton attained "guitar hero" status, then, in 1966, he left Mayall to for the innovative group Cream. With the group he enjoyed his first real commercial success and international recognition as rock's foremost guitar virtuoso. Cream recorded a string of rock classics, including "Sunshine of Your Love," "White Room," "Crossroads," and "Badge."

Clapton then formed the shortlived group Blind Faith, which produced an album, then left shortly thereafter to play with John Lennon.

He later worked with Delaney & Bonnie, recorded a successful solo LP, then founded Derek And The Dominoes and cut the album Layla, which showcased Clapton in top form. The title track became an all-time classic.

Clapton marked the years following Layla with a semi-retirement. Then, in 1973, at he urging of his friend Pete Townsend, Clapton agreed to appear at London's Rainbow Theatre in an enormously successful all-star concert.

Since then, Clapton has produced a series of albums which reflect the continuing development of an extraordinary artist. His latest release is August, with earlier titles that include 461 Ocean Boulevard, There's One In Every Crowd, No Reason to Cry, Slowhand, Backless Another Ticket, Money and Cigarettes, and Behind the Sun.

Kamen has also written several ballet scores, working with such international companies as The Joffrey Ballet and La Scala Opera Company. Among his television credits are the music for the "Mirror, Mirror" episode of "Amazing Stories," directed by Martin Scorsese, and two Emmy Awards for the movies-of-the-week "Christina's World" and "Liza's Pioneer Diary."