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The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

  • Australian actor Liam Hemsworth nabbed his biggest American role to date playing Gale, the best friend of lead character Katniss. The younger brother of “Thor” star Chris Hemsworth, the 22-year-old made his mark in Australia as a soap star but is known mostly in America as the other half of singer Miley Cyrus, his on-and-off girlfriend since 2009. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Australian actor Liam Hemsworth nabbed his biggest American role to date playing Gale, the best friend of lead character Katniss. The younger brother of “Thor” star Chris Hemsworth, the 22-year-old made his mark in Australia as a soap star but is known mostly in America as the other half of singer Miley Cyrus, his on-and-off girlfriend since 2009. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
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  • Jack Quaid brings a bit of Hollywood legacy to his role as Marvel, one of the tributes who competes in the Hunger Games. His parents are Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid. The movie marks the feature film debut for the 19-year-old, currently a sophomore at the Experimental Theatre Wing at New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Jack Quaid brings a bit of Hollywood legacy to his role as Marvel, one of the tributes who competes in the Hunger Games. His parents are Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid. The movie marks the feature film debut for the 19-year-old, currently a sophomore at the Experimental Theatre Wing at New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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  • Rocker Lenny Kravitz stars as Cinna, the stylist who styles Katniss and Peeta for the Hunger Games’ opening ceremonies. Kravitz made his movie debut in the film “Precious” but is better known for his music awards, including four Grammys.
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Rocker Lenny Kravitz stars as Cinna, the stylist who styles Katniss and Peeta for the Hunger Games’ opening ceremonies. Kravitz made his movie debut in the film “Precious” but is better known for his music awards, including four Grammys.
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  • Woody Harrelson, 50, plays Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the 50th Hunger Games, in the film. Abernathy is a mentor to the District 12 tributes as a former Games champion but is often drunk, a portrayal befitting the role that made Harrelson famous, as the bartender “Woody” from the classic TV sitcom “Cheers.” (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Woody Harrelson, 50, plays Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the 50th Hunger Games, in the film. Abernathy is a mentor to the District 12 tributes as a former Games champion but is often drunk, a portrayal befitting the role that made Harrelson famous, as the bartender “Woody” from the classic TV sitcom “Cheers.” (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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  • "30 Rock" star Elizabeth Banks plays Effie Trinket, the government employee who takes Katniss and Peeta to the Games. Offscreen, the 38-year-old actress is a mom to Felix, her 11-month-old son with producer husband Max Handelman.
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    "30 Rock" star Elizabeth Banks plays Effie Trinket, the government employee who takes Katniss and Peeta to the Games. Offscreen, the 38-year-old actress is a mom to Felix, her 11-month-old son with producer husband Max Handelman.
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  • Actor Wes Bentley plays Seneca in "The Hunger Games." The 33-year-old had his breakout role in 1999's Oscar-nominated movie "American Beauty." (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Actor Wes Bentley plays Seneca in "The Hunger Games." The 33-year-old had his breakout role in 1999's Oscar-nominated movie "American Beauty." (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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  • 19-year-old Alexander Ludwig, a former Abercrombie and Fitch model, portrays Cato, Katniss's fiercest competitor, in the film. (Mark Davis/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    19-year-old Alexander Ludwig, a former Abercrombie and Fitch model, portrays Cato, Katniss's fiercest competitor, in the film. (Mark Davis/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • 13-year-old Amandla Stenberg plays Rue, a tribune who partners with the Jennifer Lawrence character, Katniss, in the film. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    13-year-old Amandla Stenberg plays Rue, a tribune who partners with the Jennifer Lawrence character, Katniss, in the film. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • Willow Shields, 11, makes her feature film debut as Primrose, the younger sister of Katniss.
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    The Stars of 'The Hunger Games'

    Willow Shields, 11, makes her feature film debut as Primrose, the younger sister of Katniss.
    Wireimage
Australian actor Liam Hemsworth nabbed his biggest American role to date playing Gale, the best friend of lead character Katniss. The younger brother of “Thor” star Chris Hemsworth, the 22-year-old made his mark in Australia as a soap star but is known mostly in America as the other half of singer Miley Cyrus, his on-and-off girlfriend since 2009. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Jack Quaid brings a bit of Hollywood legacy to his role as Marvel, one of the tributes who competes in the Hunger Games. His parents are Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid. The movie marks the feature film debut for the 19-year-old, currently a sophomore at the Experimental Theatre Wing at New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Rocker Lenny Kravitz stars as Cinna, the stylist who styles Katniss and Peeta for the Hunger Games’ opening ceremonies. Kravitz made his movie debut in the film “Precious” but is better known for his music awards, including four Grammys.
Woody Harrelson, 50, plays Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the 50th Hunger Games, in the film. Abernathy is a mentor to the District 12 tributes as a former Games champion but is often drunk, a portrayal befitting the role that made Harrelson famous, as the bartender “Woody” from the classic TV sitcom “Cheers.” (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
"30 Rock" star Elizabeth Banks plays Effie Trinket, the government employee who takes Katniss and Peeta to the Games. Offscreen, the 38-year-old actress is a mom to Felix, her 11-month-old son with producer husband Max Handelman.
Actor Wes Bentley plays Seneca in "The Hunger Games." The 33-year-old had his breakout role in 1999's Oscar-nominated movie "American Beauty." (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
19-year-old Alexander Ludwig, a former Abercrombie and Fitch model, portrays Cato, Katniss's fiercest competitor, in the film. (Mark Davis/Getty Images)
13-year-old Amandla Stenberg plays Rue, a tribune who partners with the Jennifer Lawrence character, Katniss, in the film. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Willow Shields, 11, makes her feature film debut as Primrose, the younger sister of Katniss.

Fans of "The Hunger Games" will see their favorite characters like Katniss, Peeta and Gale on the big screen when the movie premieres this Friday, but who are the stars bringing the best-selling book's characters to life? Which star dates a famous singer? Who once got a turtle from a famous actress? And who are the film's surprising costars?