Alec Baldwin

From James Bond to Jason Bourne, books have been the inspiration for some of Hollywood’s most successful franchises. But after starring as CIA analyst Jack Ryan in 1990 hit The Hunt for Red October, which has since taken in more than $200 million worldwide, Alec Baldwin decided to pursue other opportunities. Warhorse Harrison Ford then proceeded to play Ryan in two sequels based on Tom Clancy’s bestselling novels, and both movies were phenomenal hits at the box office. Clear and Present Danger (1994) grossed $216 million worldwide and Patriot Games (1992) made $178 million. Ben Affleck took up the torch as Clancy’s hero in The Sum of All Fears (2002), which raked in nearly $120 million. Baldwin went to make such duds as The Marrying Man and The Shadow.