President Snow

( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times )

Actor: Donald Sutherland

Who he is: From 1970's "M.A.S.H." to 2011's "The Mechanic" in film, to Golden Globe-winning TV performances in 2002's "Path to War" and 1995's "Citizen X," Sutherland's career is going into its sixth decade of memorable characters.

'Hunger Games' persona: President Snow is, to Katniss Everdeen, "snake-like" -- a description of his physical attributes (thin, wispy) and personality. Smelling of blood and roses, he rules Panem from the Capitol, keeping the Hunger Games alive as a reminder of where the seat of power resides.