Jack (Jack Nicholson) in The Shining, 1980: Jack has writer's block and goes stir crazy at a secluded mountain retreat. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so he tries to murder his wife and son with an ax.

Annie (Cathy Bates) in Misery, 1990: Annie is every author's dream and nightmare - a fan so devoted she'd do anything to read the next installment of her favorite romance series, including imprison and cripple the guy who writes it.