How do major stars avoid a premature end to their careers?  Talking in this week's Shootout show, Peter Guber says that an actor must continually re-invent himself (or herself), taking new risks and learning from failures, and stars who endure adapt to changes in the types of roles they're offered.

Peter Bart's role models for maintaining a Hollywood career are Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine, who accept that they're older and don't try to be permanent ingenues; Clint Eastwood, who continues to grow from actor into director, and Robert Redford, who has enriched his creative options by starting Sundance.

Major stars whose lights dim, by contrast, retreat from new challenges, says Bart. Brando turned against the craft of acting, Steve McQueen never left adolescence, and Warren Beatty became self-protective and stayed out of the action. Mel Gibson has simply let his demons get the best of him, and the wildly reckless young stars of today like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears seem to be following in his footsteps. 

What do you think the secrets are to managing a lasting career?  Take our poll and comment below.