James Cameron hired Paxton to be on the night set-decorating crew of Roger Corman’s cult classic Galaxy of Terror in 1981. He would later cast Paxton in Aliens and True Lies before selecting him for the role of Brock Lovett, the deep sea treasure hunter whose search for the Titanic sets the story in motion. It wasn’t a stretch for Paxton: He shares with Cameron a love of all things underwater. The pair has even gone on several dive trips together during their more than 30-year friendship.
Sink or swim: Titanic Stars Then and Now
Which actors used the blockbuster as a springboard for Hollywood success — and which went down with the ship