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Let’s get real—fans of Marvel have been waiting an eternity for this day to arrive. The X-Men are finally joining the MCU fray with Avengers: Doomsday, and the roster is essentially a dream come true for mutant lovers. Following a gigantic reveal full of twists and turns, the anticipation is legit. So, who exactly made the list? Here are the seven most iconic X-Men officially announced for Doomsday, listed in reverse order to maintain the excitement.
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7. Gambit, Played by Channing Tatum
Finally out of development hell after what seemed like an eternity, Channing Tatum got his opportunity as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, and now he’s officially a part of the MCU’s largest crossover event.
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His smooth card-throwing abilities and signature Cajun charm are poised to ruffle feathers on the Avengers’ roster. The fans are eating this up, and it seems Gambit’s adventure is just beginning.
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6. Cyclops, James Marsden
Scott Summers is back in the limelight. Cyclops was last seen in Days of Future Past, and now fans are eagerly waiting for him to partner with Captain America. The thought of Cyclops yelling “Avengers assemble!” with X-Men is an epic moment in the making. His return guarantees one thing: the vintage mutant leader is back to unleash the battle.
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5. Mystique, Played by Rebecca Romijn
The first shape-shifter is back in business. Romijn’s Mystique has been absent since The Last Stand, but her return creates such amazing possibilities, particularly if the MCU chooses to delve into her relationship with Nightcrawler. There’s going to be some intense mutant family drama because Mystique always adds that depth.
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4. Nightcrawler, Played by Alan Cumming
After years away, Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler is beaming into the MCU, and it’s a pleasant surprise. His quickness and panache in X2 made him a crowd favorite, and now he’s in for some tough showdowns, such as head-to-head with Mister Fantastic. Cumming’s even hinted at fresh CGI fight scenes that sound rather crazy, so get ready for some seriously stylish action.
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3. Magneto, Played by Ian McKellen
The master manipulator returns. McKellen’s Magneto was last seen in Days of Future Past, and now he’s returning to warp metal and push back against the Avengers. His troubled past with Professor X and his formidable presence guarantee some unforgettable scenes. This marks the first time Magneto will meet the Avengers on film officially, and it’s guaranteed to blow up.
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2. Professor X, Played by Patrick Stewart
The telepathic and benevolent X-Men leader is back for a welcome return. Stewart’s Professor Xavier made a surprise appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and now he’s returning for more.
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His calculating intellect and soothing demeanor are just what mutants and the Avengers require. The classic ’90s theme music playing alongside his chair showcased glimmers of a complete mutant takeover.
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1. Beast, Played by Kelsey Grammer
Grammer’s Beast was the first mutant to be officially confirmed for Doomsday, courtesy of his appearance in The Marvels. Brains, brawn, and a heart of gold make him the ideal bridge between the X-Men and Avengers’ science teams. Fans are looking forward to seeing him join Reed Richards and the rest of the team to face whatever challenges come their way.
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With these seven legendary mutants teaming up with the Avengers, Avengers: Doomsday is ready to be the ultimate mutant battle. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the epic fights, or just to finally get your favorite X-Men facing off against the MCU’s finest, this roster is straight-up fan service—and we couldn’t be happier.
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Few tactical aircraft have been as much a part of the popular imagination of aviators and the general public as the F-14 Tomcat. Its unique profile, variable-sweep wings, and even its pop culture appearances on blockbuster movie sets made it an icon of American naval air power. But behind the Hollywood lights, the F-14 was a technological leap and a vital strategic tool, engineered to address the specific challenges of post-Cold War carrier operations and to counter threats that no other Cold War-era fighter could manage.
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The F-14’s narrative started with the failures of the F-111B, an airplane beset by weight and maneuverability issues, poorly adapted to carrier landings and takeoffs. In turn, Grumman created the F-14 as a twin-engine, two-seat fighter with variable-sweep wings—a design innovation allowing pilots to change wing angles in mid-air. This feature tuned the Tomcat for high-speed intercepts while balancing stability and control on slower, more difficult carrier operations. The plane was, essentially, a direct response to the Navy’s call for a high-powered, versatile fleet defense fighter.
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Technologically, the F-14 was ahead of its time. It was the first U.S. fighter with the ability to perform long-range, multiple-target, look-down/shoot-down operations, a capability never equaled until the AIM-120 AMRAAM became operational almost two decades later. Its primary arm, the AIM-54 Phoenix missile, could shoot down hostile aircraft at ranges over 100 miles, providing the Tomcat with an unparalleled capability for halting pending threats well before they could reach U.S. naval ships.
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Early models, Pratt & Whitney TF30s, later replaced by General Electric F110s, provided the Tomcat with thrust for supersonic speeds, while the early models were plagued by engine reliability problems. Former Topgun instructor and F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Dave “Bio” Baranek stressed that even with some engine oddities, the endurance and weapons systems of the Tomcat were what truly made it unique.
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In the cockpit, the F-14 embodied thoughtful design in the creation of a fighter aircraft. The pilot had unobstructed access to vital instruments, while the rear-seat Radar Intercept Officer controlled the advanced radar and weapons systems. Baranek characterized the cockpit as big and sophisticated, with very good coordination required between the two crew members.
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The canopy provided outstanding visibility, a lesson carried from previous air combat in Vietnam. As time went on, the cockpit continued to improve—especially in the F-14D variant, which finally brought a cleaner, more modern HUD that pilots had wished for years. To both contemporaries and successors, the Tomcat cockpit was progressive for its time, although subsequent fighter designs supplemented the situation awareness with multifunction displays and helmet-mounted gear.
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F-14 operational experience combines high-profile operations alongside the day-to-day requirements of fleet defense. It was first used in combat in the Iran-Iraq War, when Iranian F-14s made impressive kills. U.S. Navy Tomcats patrolled no-fly zones over Iraq and served in Afghanistan, but their ultimate mission was always protecting the fleet from missile-tipped bombers.
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The Tomcat’s distance radar, powerful missiles, and patrol ranges far from its carrier made it an unusually talented asset in the Cold War, picking up planes like the Tu-16 and Tu-22M at ranges no other Navy fighter could achieve.
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With the retirement of the F-14 in 2006, the Navy lost not just an iconic aircraft—it lost a unique capability. The capability of independent intercept of long-range bomber threats has yet to be replaced in its entirety. Although newer technologies, including enhanced early-warning aircraft, advanced missiles, and networked command systems, have bridged the gap partially, no platform yet exists that integrates range, velocity, and firepower like the Tomcat used to. The evolution of the strategic environment reduced the near-term threat, though debate rages on regarding the merit of preserving equivalent capabilities in the future.
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The legacy of the F-14 extends far past its operational performance. Its dual-crew and variable-sweep wing design dictated subsequent fighter designs, and its cultural significance, cemented by movies such as Top Gun, guaranteed it a lasting position in aviation lore. Museums, video games, and documentaries honor the Tomcat, and those who flew or serviced it recall its singular blend of power, complexity, and charm. As Baranek recalled, the F-14 was a demanding and frightening aircraft, pushing crews to master its systems while rewarding them with outstanding performance in flight.
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In the end, the tale of the F-14 Tomcat is one of innovation, adaptation, and the never-ending pace of technological advancement. Its retirement ended an illustrious era of naval aviation, but its impact endures—in the development of today’s fighter aircraft, in the memories of the crewmen who served on it, and in the never-ending quest for speed, range, and survivability for carrier strike forces. Even after decades, the Tomcat’s shadow falls on naval aviation, a tribute to an airplane that was genuinely exceptional.
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The F-35 Lightning II might be the biggest fighter plane in the new army times. It sets how air power will look for the US and its friends. It’s more than just a fighter plane; the F-35 is a smart tech setup, a key money maker, and a sign of global defense work. Made to rule the world’s toughest skies, it brings in stealth, exact hits, and top-grade info on the area for today’s wars.
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The F-35’s origin lay in the Joint Strike Fighter program that sought to replace a fleet of older planes throughout the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps with one, multi-mission aircraft. Lockheed Martin’s X-35 emerged as the winner in the competition, which led to three different variants each adopted by specific services: the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for carrier operations.
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Even though they differ, all variants have the common aim of entering contested airspace, dropping precision weapons, and giving pilots unprecedented situational awareness.
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International collaboration has been the hallmark of the F-35 program. Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Australia have participated enthusiastically in development and purchasing, while Foreign Military Sales have introduced the plane to Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
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At the center of the F-35’s enduring relevance is its flexibility. The plane was built from the beginning to accommodate ongoing upgrades. The Block 4 modernization project, driven by Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) hardware, is a dramatic increase in processing capacity, sensor integration, and weapons capability. TR-3 enables the F-35 to execute advanced software, assimilate new sensors, increase electronic warfare capability, and carry a wider variety of weapons.
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Making code and checking it go well together. This is so new tools run well and help out. Groups like the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, and the 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB have a big task: to ensure the jet does what it must in real life.
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With great sensors and ways to pass on info, the F-35 is like a boss who pulls in data from sky, land, and sea units. Big tests like Red Flag and long fights in the Middle East have put the plane to the test.
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Training new F-35 pilots is hard. Luke Air Force Base hit a big mark in 2023 by training its 1,000th F-35 pilot. This shows just how vast and strong their training effort is.
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Yet this technological advantage comes at great expense. The program’s total cost over its life is estimated to be well over $2 trillion, fueled primarily by sustainment and modernization costs.
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Though efforts to enhance reliability and reduce costs are underway, operating and support expenses are still a major challenge, occasionally prompting reductions in the annual flying hours for each aircraft.
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The F-35 plan is huge in the money world, too. Over 1,000 planes were given out, and it adds $72 billion each year to the U.S. money flow. It helps about 290,000 jobs all over the place. The work net spans 1,650 groups giving parts, and the number of workers rose 35% since 2019. This shows how key the program is to the country’s defense work network.
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Technically, the F-35 is a wonder. The F-35A is fueled by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine with 43,000 pounds of thrust, cruises at Mach 1.6, and has a payload capacity of 18,000 pounds.
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The F-35C, designed for carrier operations, has the widest wingspan and largest landing gear of the line, capable of catapult launches and arrested recoveries at sea. The plane’s sensor suite–AESA radar, the Distributed Aperture System, and the Electro Optical Targeting System–provides pilots with unparalleled situational awareness.
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With an estimated operational life of 8,000 flight hours, intense maintenance and modernization programs are working to maintain the F-35’s cutting edge through at least the 2070s. Block 4 upgrades, specifically, are necessary to preserve the aircraft’s edge against increasingly capable threats.
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In the future, the F-35 will continue to be a mainstay of U.S. and allied airpower for years to come, even as newer-generation platforms such as NGAD begin to enter service. The challenge going forward will continue to be balancing sustainment and modernization spending with requirements for sustaining technological advantage and readiness in an environment of increasing strategic competition.
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We all love a good mystery that pulls us back again & again. The thrill of a puzzle, the deep flaws in a detective, or the slow show of dark secrets, these shows hook an audience. Here are ten top detective & murder mystery shows that have lasted through time—each one with its charm, ageless, & worth watching over & over.
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10. River
A detective show is not just about the chase—it’s about facing your fears, too. River does both, with a smart yet haunted London cop, played by Stellan Skarsgård. He’s haunted—both in mind & heart—by victims & past events. With a dark feel & deep writing, this show is as much about the mind as the mystery.
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9. Castle
Murder mysteries don’t need to be all dark. Castle adds some joy with a fun crime writer & a tough NYPD cop. They sparkle together, & the show mixes light chat with smart cases. It’s a mix of fun & smart work.
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8. Medium
Medium adds a ghostly spin to crime-solving. Patricia Arquette, as a psychic who aids cops while caring for her kin, gives a real, human side to a creepy gift. Mixing visions with day-to-day life, it’s a mystery show that is both wild & common.
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7. Veronica Mars
Part detective show & part youth drama, Veronica Mars shows a clever teen dealing with crime, bad folks, & loss. Kristen Bell’s role made her a cult star, showing you don’t need a badge—just smart, bold, & a bit of zest.
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6. The Last Detective
Top detectives aren‘t all tough. Peter Davison’s Character, a soft but smart cop, solves crimes with care & hard work. With a warm vibe & charm, The Last Detective shows that doing right, though slow, still counts.
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5. Luther
Luther is wild with crime, feeling, and top tension. Idris Elba plays a smart cop near the brink. Chasing killers or fighting his dark sides, Luther is deep, rough, & full of hard choices. Dark & wild like its main man.
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4. Broadchurch
A sad event in a calm coastal town turns into a deep search. Broadchurch, with Olivia Colman and David Tennant, shows how a crime can tear a place apart. It’s slow, full of feeling, deep folks, & tales that stay with you after it ends.
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3. The Killing
Dark, moody, & pulls you in, The Killing isn’t just about finding the bad one—it’s about those it hurts. In a rain-filled Seattle, it tracks two cops through lies, power plays, & hurt. Not showy, but it sticks.
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2. True Detective (Season 1)
Not many shows hit as hard as the first run of True Detective. Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson are strong as two cops in the deep dirt of the Louisiana wilds. Slow pace, deep talk, & a hit end. One run made it epic.
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1. Sherlock
New, bright, & so smart, Sherlock brings the best-known cop to now. With Benedict Cumberbatch’s quick mind & Martin Freeman’s real Watson, the show mixes high-risk cases with deep drama. It’s cool, sharp, & a mark for detective tales now.
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The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was among those elusive jets that succeeded in being ahead of its time in nearly all respects. Sleek but powerful, it combined raw speed, state-of-the-art technology, and a versatility that allowed it to perform missions other planes couldn’t approach. Born out of the heat of the Cold War, it was designed to be a “one size fits all” solution for both the U.S. Navy and Air Force—a tall order that gave everyone involved headaches during its early days, but eventually resulted in an aircraft that made a lasting impression on the history of military aviation.
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The concept started in 1962 under the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) program. The Pentagon desired a single aircraft that would be capable of deep strike, air superiority, and nuclear delivery. On paper, it would be cheaper and easier to logistically support. In reality, it was problematic. The Navy required a lighter, more responsive vehicle for carrier landings, whereas the Air Force desired speed with long range and heavy payloads.
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Ultimately, the Navy walked away due to weight and landing issues, but the Air Force continued. The outcome was the F-111A for tactical bombing and the FB-111A for longer-range strategic nuclear bombs. General Dynamics won the contract in that same year, and in 1964, the first production version was rolling off the assembly lines.
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What differentiated the F-111 was its swing-wing design. Pilots were able to sweep the wings aft more than 70 degrees for searing supersonic dashes, or out to only 16 degrees for takeoff, landing, and low-speed flight. This provided the Aardvark with incredible flexibility—able to scream down over Mach 2.2 in one instant, then descend to treetop altitude the next to slip by enemy radar. It could even operate from short runways and fly across oceans without refueling.
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Innovation permeated its design. The F-111 had terrain-following radar—a computerized system that allowed it to fly a few hundred feet off the ground at high speed, both day and night, rain or shine. The sophisticated avionics package integrated navigation, targeting, and communications in a manner that few aircraft had done previously. Even its attitude toward pilot safety was unconventional: rather than having individual ejection seats, both pilots occupied a detachable escape pod that could blow off the plane and serve as a survival capsule in the water or on land.
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Its twin Pratt & Whitney TF30 afterburning turbofans each generated over 25,000 pounds of thrust, providing it with fantastic performance and range—over 2,500 nautical miles on internal fuel only. Payload capacity was also impressive. The F-111 could be equipped with up to 24 conventional or nuclear armaments, including precision-guided bombs and the AGM-69 SRAM missile. Clever pivoting pylons kept bombs and fuel tanks aligned with airflow regardless of wing position.
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In an age when most planes were specialists, the F-111 was a generalist. It could function as a tactical bomber, a long-range nuclear strike vehicle, a reconnaissance plane, or even an electronic warfare plane. And it performed each with an effectiveness that won the respect of allies and enemies alike.
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Its combat record showed just how effective it was. In Vietnam, F-111s made deep penetration attacks against strongly defended targets, frequently at night, and were called “Whispering Death.” In 1986, F-111Fs of the U.K. made one of history’s longest fighter missions on Operation El Dorado Canyon to attack Libya after a demanding 6,400-mile round trip. During the Gulf War, they were used as the weapon of choice for dark-of-night precision attacks, knocking out more than 1,500 armored vehicles and strategic infrastructure—better even than the A-10 at killing tanks.
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The electronic warfare variant, the EF-111A Raven, assumed a role totally different. Converted by Grumman, it traded bombs for robust jamming systems contained in a large underbelly radome and wingtip pods. The Electronic Warfare Officer occupied the right-hand seat and operated the jammers. During Desert Storm, Ravens played a vital role in shutting down enemy radar and shielding strike packages from surface-to-air missiles. Loss of one EF-111A in a low-level defense maneuver called for significant modifications in tactical training.
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The F-111’s legacy can be found in planes that followed it. The F-14 Tomcat, Panavia Tornado, and even Soviet designs all borrowed from its swing-wing design. Its avionics and low-level strike performance set the standard for decades. The concept of having one plane perform many jobs has been adopted by jets such as the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35 Lightning II.
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In spite of its rough beginning and inter-service politics, the F-111 matured into a pillar of U.S. and Australian air power for almost four decades. Its combination of speed, range, payload, and survivability proved adaptability to be as useful as specialization. The Aardvark no longer flies combat missions, but the lessons it learned—and the technologies it brought—continue to fly high in the designs of contemporary warplanes.
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The Bat-Signal is shining bright in Tinseltown, and rumor mills are in overdrive. With The Brave and the Bold poised to bring a new interpretation of Batman into the DC Universe’s new era, speculation is running high about who will wear the cape and cowl. James Gunn’s vision guarantees a Bruce Wayne in his prime, joined by his son Damian Wayne—Robin’s most unstable iteration—and it’s a father-son combination the big screen has never addressed before.
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While DC is remaining tight-lipped about casting for now, that hasn’t prevented fans (and yes, us too) from conjuring up the perfect Bruce Wayne. Here’s our top ten countdown of actors who could realize the Dark Knight’s next installment—because prolonging the agony is half the fun.
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10. David Boreanaz – The Detective’s Detective
Boreanaz, star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bones, has been brooding on television for decades, and he’s got the gravitas and grit to portray an older, battle-worn Batman. He’s 53 now, and he could pull off the role of a crimefighter with years of wear and tear—and a son taking up the family business.
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9. Aaron Taylor-Johnson – The Comic Book Chameleon
From Kick-Ass to Quicksilver to next year’s Kraven the Hunter, Taylor-Johnson has shown he can seamlessly transition between comic book realms. His athletic physique, intensity, and versatility might make him a natural to play a Dark Knight who’s as scary as he is cerebral.
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8. Jamie Dornan – The Brooding Enigma
Yes, Dornan’s best known from Fifty Shades, but his more subdued, introverted roles reveal a depth and vulnerability ideal for Bruce Wayne. He can execute the suave billionaire and tormented avenger without batting an eye.
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7. Tom Ellis – The Devilishly Good Fit
After embodying Lucifer Morningstar, Ellis has already mastered suave charm, wit, and menace. At 6’3” and in his forties, he’s physically right for the part, and his charisma could give Batman a fresh, sharp-edged energy.
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6. Ben Barnes – The Fresh-Faced Contender
Barnes (Narnia, The Punisher) injects youthful vigor without sacrificing dramatic heft. He’s young enough to survive for a long haul within the DCU, but experienced enough to provide Bruce Wayne with the emotional depth fans crave.
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5. Bradley Cooper – The Oscar-Worthy Wildcard
Cooper’s name may not be the first one that pops into mind for Batman, but his career in gritty dramas and action movies proves he can go dark and focused. His past with James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) only adds to rumors.
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4. Luke Evans – The Blockbuster Backbone
Evans has a gift for bringing every film he works on up to his level, be it The Hobbit, Beauty and the Beast, or Fast & Furious 6. He exudes contained power, ideal for a Batman who is as much a teacher as a fighter.
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3. Kit Harington – The Fan-Favorite Swordsman
Harington’s stint as Jon Snow demonstrated he is capable of being a stoic hero burdened by duty. With his Marvel franchise in limbo, the time may be ideal for him to trade in a sword for a Batarang.
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2. George Clooney – The Redemption Arc
Clooney’s Batman & Robin is still the butt of jokes—but imagine if he came back, older, wiser, and with a serious tone. His brief appearance in The Flash sparked just enough buzz to make the idea tempting.
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1. Jeffrey Dean Morgan – The Flashpoint Favorite
Morgan has already gotten his toe wet in Gotham as Thomas Wayne in Batman v Superman, and fanboys have been clamoring for him as a weathered, different-universe Batman. His authoritative presence would redefine the character for the DCU.
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The State of the Bat: Gunn’s Current Stance
For the time being, though, it’s all wish lists and fan casting. James Gunn has been adamant that no actor will be approached until the script is locked. With no screenwriter officially on board yet, waiting will be a long time coming—but that just means more waiting to speculate, debate, and imagine who’s deserving of wearing the cowl next.
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Sitcoms are meant to be comfort food: light, humorous, and homey. But every so often, a character appears who doesn’t merely tell jokes—they ignite full-blown arguments that rage on for years. Whether they’re loud, obnoxious, poisonous, or simply bizarre, these characters split viewers in two like nothing else. Some adore them, others despise them, and some got so contentious that they nearly set the standard for what it means to be polarizing on television. Here are 15 sitcom (and sitcom-adjacent television) characters who got fans to cheer, cringe, and debate endlessly.
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15. Kimmy Gibbler (Full House)
The boisterous neighbor who never quite received the message, Kimmy Gibble, is either cringe or comedy gold depending on your perspective. She has no boundaries, takes constant refuge in the Tanner home, and turns even the most mundane moment into chaos. For some, that was her endearing quality. For others, she was the only thing they wished they could skip.
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14. Gina Linetti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Gina is all confidence and sarcasm, never afraid to roast her closest friends or openly ignore authority. Fans either loved her wit and offbeat humor or found her dismissive and plain irritating. Even Captain Holt seemed to tolerate her more than embrace her, r—though she occasionally proved herself as a true friend.
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13. George Costanza (Seinfeld)
George is the definition of self-sabotage walking. Whiny, selfish, petty, and always blaming everyone else for his failures, he’s both infuriating and hilarious. Fans love him as comedy gold, but others just can’t get over how terrible he would be to deal with in real life.
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12. Susan Bunch (Friends)
Being Ross’s ex-wife’s boyfriend, Susan was always a source of conflict. She constantly belittled Ross and turned him into the villain, leaving audiences torn: some found her quick-witted and witty, while others found her brutally mean. Eventually, her dynamic with Ross mellowed out, but by that point, she had already divided the audience.
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11. Charlie Harper (Two and a Half Men)
Charlie Harper was TV’s guilty-as-sin bachelor: boozing, womanizing, and laughing at his poor behavior. Charlie Sheen’s charm kept him watchable, but the character’s failure to grow and the glamorization of his poisonous personality traits offended many fans. He was hilarious—but sometimes at someone else’s expense.
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10. Robert California (The Office)
When Michael Scott departed The Office, fans were nervous. Enter James Spader’s Robert California: off-putting, creepy, and unlike Michael’s hapless charm. A few fans loved his weirdness, but most felt his chill, icky presence killed the show’s vibe. Even hardcore Office fans still argue whether he was a victim of misperception or an outright mistake.
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9. Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)
Barney’s outrageous womanizing and manipulative antics were always intended as a joke, but for a lot of people, the punchline got stale. Neil Patrick Harris’s charm won him fans, but his actions frequently blurred boundaries that the show never actually explored. Was he lovable, goofy humor—or a warning sign in a suit? Depends on whom you speak with.
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8. Bulldog Briscoe (Frasier)
Bulldog, macho, loud, and always inappropriate, was the sports jock equivalent of Frasier’s intellectual snobbishness. His outrageous behavior could be humorous, but his harassment (particularly directed at Roz) made him difficult to like. You laughed at him—until you appreciated how raunchy he was.
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7. Bernadette Rostenkowski (The Big Bang Theory)
Bernadette began sweet and offbeat, but as the show continued, her sharp wit and controlling nature made her polarizing. Some fans adored her as a strong, feisty presence, while others found her just mean. Her dynamic with Howard particularly divided the fanbase, with arguments over whether she kept him grounded—or just harassed him.
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6. Pierce Hawthorne (Community)
Chevy Chase’s Pierce was intended to be provocative: racist, elitist, and always out of bounds. Some fans appreciated him as a vehicle through which to explore the generation gap, but others simply found him tiresome and sadistic. Even off-camera, he was a problem, proving that the controversy was not limited to television.
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5. Manny Delgado (Modern Family)
The espresso-sipping, poetry-quoting, precocious child, Mann, was charming to some and insufferable to others. His “wise beyond his years” attitude tended to make him come across as condescending, particularly when he was older. Love him for his eccentricities or eye-roll at them, Manny was seldom encountered with indifference.
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4. Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)
Ted was the show’s supposed lovable romantic lead, but his arrogance and poor choice-making easily made him as infuriating as Barney. He constantly judged his friends, replicated the same faults he complained about, and left fans torn: hopeless romantic or self-righteous hypocrite?
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3. Wendy Byrde (Ozark)
Wendy’s not from a classic sitcom, but her polarizing presence can’t be discounted. Cold, calculating, and unapologetically cruel, she’d kill nearly anyone to defend her family’s dynasty. Some fans lionized her toughness, while others hated her callousness—making her one of television’s most contentious characters.
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2. Beth Dutton (Yellowstone)
Beth is a whirlwind of anger, loyalty, and cruelty. Protective to the point of brutality but relentlessly cutting, she’s either hailed as a “badass queen” or found to be unbearably toxic. Her acidic one-liners have endeared her to some as a fan favorite, but for others, she’s evidence that strength never necessarily translates to likability.
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1. Archie Bunker (All in the Family)
Archie is the first in a line of contentious sitcom stars. Racist, in-your-face prejudiced, he was never designed to be revered but to bring attention to social ills and elicit discussion. And it succeeded—perhaps too much. Some viewers appreciated him as a pointed parody of old-fashioned thinking, while others completely missed the satire and took him literally. Either way, Archie is the gold standard for polarizing television characters.
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Love them or loathe them, such characters had people discussing them long after the credits. Whether they were created to encourage arguments or simply became controversial over time, they show that sitcoms aren’t always guilty-pleasure viewing. Occasionally, the most divisive characters are also the ones we remember most.
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Hollywood may love its rising young stars, but there’s a special kind of magic in the veterans who’ve outlasted decades of trends, genres, and changing tastes. These are the icons who have graced both the big and small screens for generations—proof that talent, charm, and passion for the craft only grow stronger with time. Today, we’re tipping our hats to 11 of the oldest living legends in film and television.
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11. Nancy Olson
Nancy Olson’s life is the stuff of which classic Hollywood success stories are made. Most famous for her Oscar-nominated turn as Sunset Boulevard’s Betty Schaefer, Olson continued to delight fans in Disney classics such as The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber. Although she retired from acting in the 1980s, she’d make sporadic comebacks for one-off appearances—and included a 2014 film role—demonstrating that the screen magic never left her.
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10. Mel Brooks
Few comedy names bring the same gravitas as Mel Brooks. From Blazing Saddles through Young Frankenstein, his films have set the standard for comedic filmmaking for decades. Brooks also counts among the select EGOT winners, having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Aside from writing and directing, Brooks started Brooksfilms, producing classics such as The Elephant Man and The Fly. With a career of over 75 years, his creative spark is still burning bright.
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9. David Attenborough
David Attenborough’s voice is one that the world heeds. His pioneering Life series on a documentary set the benchmark for nature shows, combining breathtaking imagery with his warm, authoritative voice. More recently, Attenborough has been an outspoken champion of the environment, calling for action on climate change and conservation. His voice and vision have led generations to care for the world.
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8. Dick Van Dyke
At 98, Dick Van Dyke retains the same energy that propelled him to household fame in the 1960s. From The Dick Van Dyke Show to his iconic role in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it has been one long masterclass in entertainment for the ages. With Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, and even a face-saving return cameo in Mary Poppins Returns, Van Dyke continues to demonstrate that art and joy have no shelf life.
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7. Jimmy Carter
Most famous as America’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter has perhaps had an even greater effect on the world since leaving office. The current longest-living U.S. president has spent decades working on humanitarian issues, promoting peace, and working for the environment. His Nobel Peace Prize is only one of a number of awards that attest to a life dedicated to service and world improvement.
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6. Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint has had a career that most actors can only hope for—lasting more than seven decades, touching film, stage, radio, and television. She received an Academy Award for On the Waterfront and mesmerized audiences opposite Cary Grant in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Most recently, she was seen in Winter’s Tale and provided voice work in The Legend of Korra, solidifying her status as a multi-generational star.
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5. Ray Anthony
Ray Anthony is not only a bandleading legend but also the sole remaining member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Famous for his hit recording of “At Last,” Anthony has been on the scene for more than 80 years. At age 102, his Hollywood Walk of Fame star remains a living link to the golden era of big band music.
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4. Frances Wessells
Frances Wessells demonstrates that dance keeps one young. Performing professionally well into her late 90s, she’s amazed audiences with her poise and energy, even taking on a role in the Latin Ballet of Virginia’s The Legend of the Poinsettia. As an instructor and performer, she’s influenced countless students to keep active and create at any age.
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3. June Spencer
At 103, June Spencer just completed a record-breaking career as Peggy Woolley in the BBC radio soap The Archers, a position that she held for more than 70 years. Her remarkable career on the program has presented her with numerous lifetime achievement awards and a place in broadcasting history.
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2. Caren Marsh Doll
One of the dying remnants of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Caren Marsh Doll contributed to many MGM productions and notoriously played Judy Garland’s stand-in for The Wizard of Oz and Ziegfeld Girl. The oldest living Hollywood actress, her life is an opportunity to experience the early days of movie magic.
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1. Elisabeth Waldo
At 106, Elisabeth Waldo is the oldest living entertainment personality. A classically trained violinist, composer, and conductor, Waldo’s life has brought her from rural origins to concert halls around the world. Her distinctive blending of classical and Latin American music represents a lifetime of discovery and creativity.
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What’s their secret?
Studies in the Blue Zones documentary identify shared practices: being active, maintaining close social connections, consuming primarily plant-based diets, and having a sense of purpose. Betty White attributed her longevity to optimism and a sense of humor, while legends such as Mel Brooks and Dick Van Dyke continue producing well into old age.
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These incredible women demonstrate that passion, purpose, and a little determination can sustain the spotlight for a lifetime—and beyond.
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The Nord 1500 Griffon is one of those very rare airplanes that look more like a dashing experiment than a genuine fighter. France was hungry to test the limits of speed and engine technology in the early 1950s, and the Griffon was the vehicle for that hunger. It wasn’t built to fly—it was built to experiment, to see just how far past Mach 2 it could push and how far ramjet technology could be applied to a human vehicle.
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The story begins in 1953, when the French government expressed a desire to build two research airplanes. This was part of a broader program to examine more advanced wing types, including delta and swept wings. To acquire the data, Arsenal de l’Aéronautique—subsequently SFECMAS—employed a wooden glider called the Arsenal 1301.
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It could be fitted with different wing configurations and small canards, serving as a flying testbed for ideas. These experiments ultimately gave rise to three interceptor programs: the 1400, the 1500, and the ambitious 1910. While the 1400 became the Nord Gerfaut and the 1500 the Griffon, the 1910 never made it past the design stage.
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It was the Griffon’s unusual twin-engine configuration that made it unique. It paired a conventional turbojet with a ramjet, an ingenious but complicated solution. The SNECMA Atar 101G turbojet gave the aircraft the power it needed to reach sufficient speed quickly enough to allow the ramjet to take hold.
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Ramjets can’t function from a standing start like regular jets—rather, they rely upon high velocity, normally greater than 1,000 km/h, to function. Once ignited, the Griffon’s ramjet, the Nord Stato-Réacteur, was able to take the aircraft to more than Mach 2.
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This setup wasn’t just for show—it was a smart solution to a complex issue. Ramjets have no moving parts like compressors and turbines; they just harness the front motion of the aircraft to compress approaching air, which is referred to as ram compression. At high speed, this air flow is adequate to sustain burning. Low speed? Ramjets are nearly worthless unless paired with a second engine. The Griffon cleaned this up by combining the two systems.
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The plane itself was sturdy, built to handle the stresses of supersonic flight, but not more than that. Lacking the thermal-resistant materials that we have today, the Griffon suffered intense thermal loads at top speeds. The ramjet was also quirky at middle ranges of speed, where it could be inefficient or flaky. Still, the plane pulled off some incredible stunts. Its first flight was on 20 September 1955, and in 1959, it set a world closed-course speed record at Mach 2.19.
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Despite all its achievements, the Griffon was eventually surpassed by simpler, more pragmatic designs. The Dassault Mirage III, a simpler and cheaper interceptor, showed that conventional turbojets could offer the performance without dual-engine sophistication. Two Griffons were indeed built, and the endeavor was eventually scrapped.
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The second prototype currently sits in the French Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget, a stone’s throw reminder of an era where experimentation and imagination drove aviation advancement.
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The real contribution of the Griffon was in what it had to say. It provided valuable insight into high-speed flight and engine technology that influenced future interceptor design and ramjet-powered missile development. Ramjets eventually found their optimum use in missiles, but the Griffon is a fascinating example of a period in which risk-taking, curiosity, and creativity drove innovation.
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Its story illustrates that sometimes the most unconventional ideas have the greatest lasting impact-even if they never become commonplace.
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Hollywood salaries are as blockbuster-oriented as the films themselves. Of course, many actors have decent paychecks, but few have their names at the pinnacle—earning staggering amounts due to a combination of shrewd contracts, streaming supremacy, and sharp personal promotion. These superstars are not only raking it in from acting gigs; they’re producing, negotiating mega-deals, and having their names anywhere viewers turn. Here’s a countdown of the 10 10-paid Hollywood actors today, from 10 down to the undisputed number one.
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10. Will Smith – $26 Million
After taking a temporary hiatus from the limelight, Will Smith burst back onto the scene with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, one of the handful of movies to gross more than $400 million globally in 2024. Going back to his most beloved role proved to be a good decision—both for his fans and his wallet.
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9. Adam Sandler – $26 Million
Sandler’s Netflix deal is the stuff of legend. Either it’s mass-appeal crowd-pleasers (Happy Gilmore 2) or quirky endeavors (Spaceman), he’s producing them his way—and raking it in. Throw in the perpetual streaming of his classics, and the money keeps rolling in.
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8. Nicole Kidman – $31 Million
Kidman is dominating the prestige miniseries universe. She has three big-name projects on Netflix, Paramount+, and Amazon—each paying more than $1 million an episode—plus two movies in which she co-starred with significantly younger leads, making her the top actress ranking this year.
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7. George Clooney – $31 Million
Clooney partnered with Brad Pitt on the spy comedy Wolves, which was a hotly contested bidding war. Apple prevailed, handing over lots of money for the duo’s star power. Clooney might downplay the quoted figures, but the deal was an obvious financial success.
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6. Brad Pitt – $32 Million
Still among the industry’s most bankable stars, Pitt next reprised with role in the next F1 racing movie. Behind the lens, his production house Plan B keeps racking up both box office and awards-season successes.
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5. Hugh Jackman – $50 Million
Jackman’s return as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine was a nostalgic thrill for fans—and a financial jackpot. Teaming up with Ryan Reynolds for what’s likely his highest-grossing role to date, Jackman proved some comebacks are worth the wait.
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4. Jerry Seinfeld – $60 Million
Thanks to the constant flow of Seinfeld syndication payments, Jerry’s still raking in huge amounts of money years after the show went off the air. His Unfrosted movie for Netflix, stand-up tours, and ownership of his back catalog keep him at or near the top of the pay list.
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3. Kevin Hart – $81 Million
Hart’s everywhere—movies, series, podcasts, live shows. In 2024 alone, he headlined three films across multiple platforms, roasted Tom Brady on Netflix, and completed 90 stand-up shows. His relentless work ethic fuels both his brand and his bank account.
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2. Ryan Reynolds – $85 Million
Deadpool & Wolverine, with their $1.3 billion at the box office, it would be hard not to be as much of a businessman as Reynolds is an actor. He was not about to have a down year with films like IF and the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham showing off his accomplishments as a brand-builder superior to most.
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1. Dwayne Johnson – $88 Million
The Rock” still rules the box office. His deal to star in Amazon’s Red One set a new record for a streaming payout at around $50 million for that film alone. And when Moana 2 flipped from streaming to theaters, he negotiated profit participation-a Disney first for a voice actor. Between old titles, new projects, and relentless self-promotion, Johnson’s $88 million haul speaks for itself.
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What the numbers say:
The top rung of Hollywood’s earners is populated by veterans—most in their 40s, 50s, or 70s—who’ve earned decades of goodwill from studios and audiences. The average age of the top 20 is just over 54, according to Forbes. Stars like Zendaya or Timothée Chalamet can be enormous draws, but they signed their most lucrative deals before their current fame, keeping them out of the top-earning rung… for the moment.
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Streaming has changed the game, with up-front buyouts taking the place of the traditional “back-end” profit deals. That’s where the top performers can earn more than ever before, but even more working actors earn significantly less, with many barely qualifying for minimum health insurance. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has emphasized that the overwhelming majority of members aren’t raking in millions—they’re just trying to pay the bills.
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The gender gap remains, too. Nicole Kidman may top the women’s list this year, but parity is still a distant goal. The World Economic Forum estimates we’re more than a century away from full equality in pay and senior roles. So, while a small group of stars is richer than ever, the rest of the industry is still fighting for a fairer, more balanced future.
