Mr. Earle has been sober for almost 20 years.

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Dr Sylvia Earle is an explorer in residence for National Geographic, honorary director of the Explorers' Club and has led more than 60 expeditions worldwide.

CNN: Quest for exploration

Ira Flatow will be here with a conversation with Sylvia Earle about what the oil spill means for marine life.

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Surrounded by whales and dolphins, Quest soon succumbs to Earle's infectious enthusiasm and insatiable thirst for knowledge through exploration.

CNN: Quest for exploration

Earle, a 2009 TED Prize winner, believes OceanElders will help in rallying public support for ocean conservation.

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Mr. Earle dropped out of high school at 15, and he has the autodidact's yen for absorbing information.

WSJ: What Makes Steve Earle Run

My picks for best supporting actor are Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls), Jack Nicholson (The Departed), Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children), Michael Sheen (The Queen) and Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine).

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Rounding out the characters, we have the family housekeeper, Willie (Jackie Earle Haley), as well as Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), who cares for young David.

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