Who played the astronaut characters in 2001 a space odyssey?

In Stanley Kubrick's 1968 science‑fiction classic, the two primary astronaut protagonists are Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole. Bowman, the senior crew member on the Jupiter mission, is portrayed by Keir Dullea. Poole, the junior astronaut who is responsible for maintaining the ship's equipment, is played by Gary Lockwood. The film also features William Sylvester as Dr. Heywood Floyd, the scientist who initiates the mission, but the title’s focus is on Bowman and Poole’s experiences. Their performances are central to the film’s exploration of human evolution, technology, and existential themes. Both actors contributed to the film’s enduring legacy, with their portrayals becoming iconic representations of astronauts in cinema.