The Role: Artie Connors

Why It’s The Best: Sheen makes an arresting big screen debut as violent hoodlum Artie Connors, one of a pair of teen villains who board a New York subway train and proceed to terrorise the hapless passengers. Projecting a sneering malice that jars with his baby-faced looks, it’s a striking opening salvo from an exciting new talent.

Iconic Moment: The point when the mask finally slips, and Artie's tough-guy routine is replaced by cowering terror in the face of his partner’s increasing mania.

Sheen Says: “I came up in the James Dean era. He was the phenomenon of the day, taken away in 1955. I went to New York, to act, in 1959, and there was a belief then that if you were talented you would get your break.”