Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, the American actors, have made it into Who's Who 2010, adding a "touch of Hollywood glamour" to the list of new entrants.
By Lucy Cockcroft
Published: 7:30AM GMT 07 Dec 2009
The biographical compendium of society's leading figures is primarily for British people, however, if the influence of a foreigner is deemed to have shaped life here, they can be included.
The selection process for entry into Who's Who remains a closely guarded secret, and the panel will not disclose who they have considered or how they reached their decisions.
Pitt and Freeman join a long list of American actors who are already among the 33,000 names in Who's Who, including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster.
A Who's Who spokesman said: "People who are high achievers, household names and who have had an impact upon this country, whether it be in the world of commerce or entertainment, can make the book.
"We have quite a cast of American actors in Who's Who now, this year it is Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman who are bringing Hollywood glamour to the edition.
"However, we will never disclose why or how we made the choice of who to include in the book each year."
However, those hoping to gain more of an insight into what Pitt and Freeman do with their spare time from their entry in the big red book will be disappointed.
"Unfortunately neither of them have added anything about their recreational activities, so we aren't given any extra insights, they have just given the basic biographical information," she said.
Pitt, 45, entered as William Bradley Pitt, had his acting breakthrough in Thelma and Louise in 1991 and has gone onto star in dozens of Hollywood films.
He is frequently listed as one of the world's most attractive men and has had two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one.
He is also noted for his humanitarian work, alongside his partner, the actress Angelina Jolie, with whom he has six children.
Freeman, 72, entered as Morgan Porterfield Freeman, has had a long and distinguished acting career which started nearly 40 years ago.
He received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, and The Shawshank Redemption before winning in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby.
He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
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