Career moves
Adam Sandler as a serious romantic? Robin Williams portraying a psycho killer and stalker? What's next, Yoda wielding a light saber?

Jennifer Aniston: The most glamorous "Friend" got the reviews of her career as a dowdy (well, sort of) cashier in "The Good Girl."

Matt Damon: He parlayed his indie cred in "The Bourne Identity" to become this year's preferred breed of hero - the sensitive action star (see Tobey Maguire, below).

Ralph Fiennes: He leaves behind the serious dramas "The English Patient" and "Oscar and Lucinda" for a lighthearted romantic comedy with Jennifer Lopez ("Maid in Manhattan").

Tobey Maguire: The sensitive star of "Pleasantville" and "The Cider House Rules" swings into superstardom with "Spider-Man."

Dennis Quaid: He hit a homer with the crowd-pleasing "The Rookie" and then turned in a gutsy performance in the acclaimed "Far From Heaven."

Adam Sandler: The childish "Waterboy" turns into a sensitive - if goofy - romantic in "Punch-Drunk Love," forcing critics to use the phrase "Oscar" and "Adam Sandler" in the same sentence.

Denzel Washtington: He started the year by winning the Oscar for best actor in "Training Day"; ended it with his directorial debut, "Antwone Fisher."

Robin Williams: The funnyman erases all memory of "Bicentennial Man" and "Patch Adams" with scary turns in "Insomnia" and "One-Hour Photo." Add to that this year's black comedy "Death to Smoochy," and you wouldn't want to meet the actor formerly known as Mrs. Doubtfire in a dark alley.

Yoda: Swamp-dwelling philosopher wields a mean light saber in "Attack of the Clones."

Breakout performances
A year ago, critics would have scoffed at the suggestion that Eminem could act. Or that an unknown writer would make a little film about a Greek family that would earn more than $200 million. The following people took Hollywood by surprise, wowing critics and crowds this year.

Active actors
These actors appeared in at least three films in 2002.

Out of sight
These normally high-profile actors were nowhere to be seen in 2002.