Randy Quaid

Born in Houston Oct. 1, 1950, Randy Quaid made his mark playing supporting parts and oddball characters. Discovered as a drama student in college, his first significant film role came in The Last Picture Show (1971), followed by the 1972 comedy What's Up Doc?

Quaid copped an Oscar nod for his supporting turn as a hapless seaman in The Last Detail (1973). Other notable movies for Quaid include Midnight Express (1978) and National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). He moved to television in 1985, joining the "Saturday Night Live" cast for one season. Quaid painted a vivid portrait of President Lyndon Johnson in the miniseries "LBJ: The Early Years," earning a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for his efforts.

Returning to the big screen, Quaid appeared in Days of Thunder (1990), Kingpin (1996) and The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000). He's the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid.

Independence Day

1996 PG-13

When aliens in an enormous spacecraft suddenly arrive in Earth's atmosphere and start blowing things up, it falls to a cocky pilot (Will Smith) and a goofy scientist (Jeff Goldblum) to save the planet from total destruction. With plenty of action, special effects sequences and pithy one-liners, Independence Day is one of the 1990s' best popcorn flicks. Bill Pullman co-stars as the gung-ho president who urges his citizens to fight back.