From Hollywood legends to modern icons, we're counting down the most influential and talented actors who have defined cinema over the last five decades. Join us as we explore the incredible careers of 50 performers who have shaped the film industry through their unforgettable performances. Our countdown features legendary actors like Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino, and Denzel Washington, alongside newer stars like Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong'o, and Margot Robbie! Who do you think is the most defining actor of the last 50 years? Share in the comments.
This video presents a comprehensive countdown of the most influential and talented actors from the last five decades. It celebrates a diverse array of performers, analyzing their career trajectories, transformative roles, and the Academy Award-winning performances that have cemented their legacies as icons of global cinema.
You're my older brother, and I love you.
But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks
for the most popular, culturally relevant,
and or talented actors from the last five decades.
Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.
Number 50. Halle Berry
After starring in Boomerang, former Miss World contestant Halle Berry started to rise in
Hollywood. She worked steadily through the 1990s in comedies, dramas, and even action films.
In the early 2000s, the actress won Best Actress for her leading role in Monster's Ball.
The only reason I'm here is so you can say goodbye to your son.
I've been coming here for damn near 11 years, Lawrence, and I'm tired.
Along with her groundbreaking Oscar win, she starred in successful franchises like X-Men.
More opportunities for major projects included a James Bond movie,
Catwoman, and even John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum.
Now, after this, we are less than even.
From epic sci-fi like Cloud Atlas to her directorial work,
the artist pushes the envelope in diverse narratives.
All the while, Berry continues to bring her powerful presence to any type of movie.
Too strong for you?
I can learn to like it, if I have the time.
How much time have you got?
Until dawn.
Number 49. Charlize Theron
She's recognized most for her stunning beauty, but the incomparable Charlize Theron has
demonstrated time and time again that she's more than capable of carrying a film.
In 2003, Theron landed her career-defining role as real-life serial killer Eileen Wuornos in Monster.
Years later, I found out he died in a car accident. I was overjoyed.
It was like God finally struck him down for all his evil.
I loved it.
Knowing you can't get away with your s*** forever.
Sooner or later, it's gonna catch up with you.
Since then, she's taken on iconic characters like Evil Queen Ravenna in Snow White and the Huntsman,
and Imperator Furiosa in George Miller's Mad Max Fury Road.
The actress has an innate ability to tap into the physical and emotional identity of a character.
This is just one of the many reasons she's constantly fascinating to watch.
Number 48. Dustin Hoffman
When he was cast as Ben Braddock in The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman became a star.
The role allowed him to play comedic and serious moments with equal skill.
Here we are, you got me into your house, you give me a drink, you put on music,
now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.
So?
Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me.
He then went on a multi-decade run of impressive parts.
He broke our hearts as Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy,
and kept us guessing as Carl Bernstein in the classic All the President's Men.
In 1979, he starred in Kramer vs. Kramer, winning his first Oscar.
My child was sick.
He had a fever.
Did you or did you not miss a deadline, yes or no?
My son was sick.
Mr. Kramer, answer the question.
I'm trying to answer the question, it's not yes or no, I'm sitting there-
Mr. Kramer, yes or no?
I had 104 temperatures, he's lying there sweating, I go wrong!
He went on to several more nominations,
winning another Academy Award for his incredible turn in Rain Man.
Some comedies let him expand his palette, like the Meyerowitz stories,
New and Selected, and Wag the Dog.
The performer doesn't skimp on his intense performances,
regardless of the project.
Number 47.
Michelle Yeoh.
This Malaysian actress made a name for herself in Hong Kong films.
In martial arts movies,
Michelle Yeoh excited fans alongside Jackie Chan and Cynthia Rothrock.
She then starred in international hits,
like the James Bond adventure, Tomorrow Never Dies.
What are you-
Clutch, clutch, clutch!
Turn right!
Don't left!
Who's driving?
By the start of the 2000s,
she became even better known by audiences for the popular Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Yeoh kept experimenting with various genre films,
from Danny Boyle's Sunshine to the popular rom-com Crazy Rich Asians.
She later became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress,
earning the Oscar for the awe-inducing Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Do you still want to do your party?
We can do what?
Number 46.
Margot Robbie.
Robbie came into the spotlight with The Wolf of Wall Street.
That explains it then.
Explains what?
Explains you.
Since then, she's taken on standout roles in Bombshell,
Mary Queen of Scots, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
One of her most recognized characters is, of course, Harley Quinn.
It's honestly hard for us to see anyone else as the psychiatrist-turned-villain.
And since her debut in Suicide Squad,
she's let the world know that she is the Harley.
She brought the lovably insane character back in Birds of Prey,
which she also produced, as well as James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
Hey guys, sorry I'm late.
Had to go number two.
Good to know.
And let's not forget about her award-worthy performance
as the titular figure skater in I, Tonya.
Truly iconic.
I'm just trying to...
I'm trying to do the best with what I know how to...
And you're giving me...
It's like you're giving me a life sentence if you do that.
You can't do that.
Number 45.
Morgan Freeman.
You know him from his incredible voiceovers,
but Morgan Freeman is a welcome piece of cinema history.
This is a story of survival.
A tale of life over death.
But it's more than that, really.
This is a story about love.
Following appearances on television and stage,
the actor became a movie star in the late 1980s.
He was Oscar-nominated for his roles in Driving Miss Daisy
and one of his most iconic parts in The Shawshank Redemption.
I find I'm so excited I can barely sit still
and hold a thought in my head.
I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel.
A free man at the start of a long journey
whose conclusion is uncertain.
He finally won an Academy Award for Million Dollar Baby,
re-teaming him with his Unforgiven director
and co-star Clint Eastwood.
Whether he's narrating March of the Penguins
or playing God in Bruce Almighty,
this performer brings a gravitas to everything.
Now that's a prayer.
Yeah.
It's good.
I'm gonna get right on it.
Number 44.
Gary Oldman.
Since his breakout role as Sid Vicious in 1986,
Gary Oldman has proven he's a true chameleon actor.
Why do you need money?
Well, I don't know.
Little things around the house.
What sort of little things?
What are those bruises on your arm?
I fell over.
Leave him alone.
Yes, leave me alone.
This man is violent.
He's been a vampire, a Gotham police commissioner,
a wizard, and Winston Churchill,
just to name a few.
He's consistently morphed into compelling characters
in several genres,
but with his background in theater,
drama is where he really thrives.
Give him an emotional monologue or an eccentric personality
and he's at home.
It's a shame he didn't get his Oscar until 2018
because he was clearly very deserving of the accolade.
I say it is to wage war by sea, land, and air
with all our might and with all the strength
that God can give us.
But we couldn't be happier for him.
Number 43.
Amy Adams.
For many of her early roles,
Amy Adams showed audiences that she had a bright
and engaging presence.
Some people might remember her opposite Leonardo DiCaprio
in Catch Me If You Can.
After impressive supporting roles,
she made a major splash as the lead in Enchanted.
♪ Because you'll wear your favorite color ♪
♪ Just match your eyes ♪
♪ You will show that's how you know ♪
Her bubbly character was popular enough
to inspire a sequel.
Adams also provided key roles in dramas
such as Doubt and American Hustle,
with the latter being one of two successful collaborations
with David O. Russell.
Her celebrated work in Arrival also allowed her
to explore a sci-fi movie with an emotional center.
On film and beyond,
Adams manages to create densely packed characters.
And it's unstoppable, kind of like you are.
You're swimming and you're poetry
and all the other amazing things
that you share with the world.
Number 42.
Jennifer Lawrence.
As one of the youngest Oscar nominees
for Best Actress in a Leading Role,
Jennifer Lawrence first gained praise for Winter's Bone.
She soon became a household name
as the heroic Katniss Everdeen
in the widely successful Hunger Games franchise.
The volunteer!
Volunteer is tribute!
At the time, Lawrence also had a prominent role
in the X-Men film franchise as Raven,
also known as Mystique.
Her balance of vulnerability and strength
made both characters cultural icons.
Over the years,
she's earned numerous award nominations for acting,
including four Oscar nods.
And at just 22,
she won Best Actress for her role
as the young widow Tiffany Maxwell
in Silver Linings Playbook.
I don't mind it.
You don't, do you?
No.
Number 41.
Matthew McConaughey.
After hitting the scene
with his highly quotable character
in Dazed and Confused,
Matthew McConaughey became
the go-to mainstream rom-com lead.
All right, all right, all right.
How you doing?
However, the 2010 saw a McConnaissance.
The actor dove into dramatic roles
like The Lincoln Lawyer
and Dallas Buyers Club,
the latter earning him an Oscar for Best Actor.
All right, y'all head out, man.
I'm good.
I'll catch up with y'all, all right?
Yeah?
You all right, brother?
You cool?
I'm cool.
McConaughey kicked off
the HBO gritty anthology series True Detective
with an Emmy-worthy role as Rust Cole.
He also portrayed an astronaut
in the sci-fi drama Interstellar.
The actor further proved
his perfect comedic timing
when he joined the star-studded voice cast of Sing.
Number 40, Robert Downey Jr.
Starting with supporting roles in the 1980s,
Robert Downey Jr. had a promising start in Hollywood.
His time in teen comedies like Weird Science
gave way to dramatic work in Chaplin.
I really like you, Charlie.
Yeah, I really like you too, Mac.
And I bet you've been talking to New York.
Let me direct the next one.
With some personal setbacks in the 1990s,
Downey Jr. spent the 2000s rebuilding his career
with underrated gems like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
He then got the role of a lifetime
as Tony Stark in Iron Man.
Truth is, I am Iron Man.
This started his run as the armored superhero,
helping to navigate the MCU
through many successful entries.
He didn't just become
a major box office star either.
Teaming up with visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan,
the performer won an Oscar
for his standout performance in Oppenheimer.
Here's a fact.
President Eisenhower
pinned the Medal of Freedom on my chest last year
because I've always done what's right for this country.
They don't want me in the cabinet room.
Well, that's fine.
Maybe they should just invite Oppenheimer instead.
Number 39, Julianne Moore.
Some viewers might not remember
Julianne Moore's foray into soap operas,
but they likely appreciate her film career.
She's been directed several times by Todd Haynes,
with Safe being one of her early standouts.
In 1997 alone,
the actress appeared in Steven Spielberg's
sequel to Jurassic Park
and earned an Oscar nomination for Boogie Nights.
She then starred in stirring period pieces
like Far From Heaven and The Hours.
I know, I know, I know it isn't difficult.
It's just that I just want to do this for daddy.
Because it's his birthday?
That's right.
With diverse and emotionally intense performances,
the actress became one of Hollywood's
most revered performers.
Her role in Still Alice
finally earned her a well-deserved Oscar.
What's happened to you?
The, you know, the Alzheimer's,
you could see it as tragic,
but your life has been anything but tragic.
You have had a remarkable career
and a great marriage
and three beautiful children.
This doesn't discount her great work in comedies
like The Big Lebowski or Crazy Stupid Love either.
Number 38, Paul Newman.
By the end of the 1970s,
Paul had acted in many classics
and spent the 1980s making a few more.
This includes his revered performance in The Verdict
and his Oscar-winning part in The Color of Money.
How long do you want me to fry, huh?
Five years, ten years?
You want to play kick the dog for the rest of your life?
Let's clean it up.
The latter film allowed him
to reprise his role from The Hustler,
creating a complex look at an older pool player.
Newman's charisma never failed to elevate projects
such as his Academy Award-nominated role
in Nobody's Fool.
You know, until a while ago, I could have,
I could have, but I just found out
I'm somebody's grandfather.
I'm somebody's father.
His work started to slow down in the 2000s,
but Road to Perdition and Cars
gave audiences two more reasons
to appreciate his star power.
You got a lot of stuff, kid.
Thanks, Doc.
Number 37, Lupita Nyong'o.
After starting out in theater
and graduating from the prestigious Yale School of Drama,
Lupita Nyong'o gave an award-winning performance
in 12 Years a Slave.
Do what I ain't got the strength to do myself.
The actress continues to entertain moviegoers
on the big screen,
joining the expanding MCU
in the groundbreaking Black Panther.
Nyong'o had the opportunity
to get into motion capture for The Force Awakens
as wise tavern keeper Maz Kanata.
That lightsaber was Luke's and his father's before him,
and now it calls to you.
She also lent her voice
to Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book.
The director cast Nyong'o
because of her, quote,
tremendous depth of emotion.
Her immense versatility inspired Jordan Peele
to offer her a dual role in Us.
So that's an Oscar,
two big franchises,
voice acting,
and horror?
Is there anything Lupita Nyong'o can't do?
Number 36, Helen Mirren.
From Excalibur to British royalty,
Helen Mirren's career spans
both mythic and modern subjects.
She made her mark in numerous films
from costume dramas to murder mysteries
like Gosford Park.
Her stellar work on stage
prepared her for amazing parts
like Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.
If you imagine I'm going to drop everything
and come down to London
before I attend to my grandchildren
who've just lost their mother.
Then you're mistaken.
This performance earned her an Academy Award
and led to many more interesting roles.
By the 2010s,
she further expanded her artistic reach
into blockbuster filmmaking.
In both the Red and Fast franchises,
the performer gave macho action stars
a run for their money.
Mirren always dazzles on screen
with poised and determined choices.
What gift do you think a good servant has
that separates them from the others?
It's the gift of anticipation.
And I'm a good servant.
I'm better than good.
I'm the best.
I'm the perfect servant.
Number 35, Hugh Jackman.
Known for musical theater,
this actor made a huge leap
into films with roles like Wolverine.
Beginning with X-Men,
Hugh Jackman assumed the iconic part
that spanned multiple decades and spinoffs.
He also appeared in romantic dramas
and epics like Australia,
but took a deeper look
at mutant heroes with Logan.
I never asked for this, all right?
Charles never asked for this.
Caliban never asked for this.
They are six feet under the ground.
I don't know what Charles put in your head,
but I am not whatever it is you think I am, okay?
Jackman didn't forget his musical roots either
with his turn in Les Miserables
or the popular The Greatest Showman.
The artist even returned to play
the funnier side of his former role
in Deadpool and Wolverine.
Through it all, the performer
always shows up ready to play
with a vibrant acting style.
Number 34, Nicole Kidman.
Few actresses have conquered
both movies and television
as well as Nicole Kidman.
The performer began her career in Australia,
but reached a larger audience in the 1990s.
These included American hits
like Days of Thunder and Batman Forever.
And now I have you,
and I'm wishing you were somebody else
to call up sometime.
She also delivered complicated roles
in To Die For
and Stanley Kubrick's final film,
Eyes Wide Shut.
Winning an Oscar for The Hours,
Kidman disappeared into her part
as writer Virginia Woolf.
She also appeared in Boz Luhrmann's works
like the beloved Moulin Rouge.
A kiss on the hand
We might continental
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
A kiss on the ground
But it's
One way the rental on your hum
Can feed your own pussycat
No stranger to taking chances,
the actress earned nominations
for dramas like Rabbit Hole
and Being the Ricardos.
Her acting talents
also translated to horror stories
such as The Others
and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
Number 33
Philip Seymour Hoffman
I flew home to New York,
terribly strut,
but when I got to the apartment,
I could see that Joe
was even worse shaped than I was.
He grabbed my hand
and he said to me,
talk.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
was arguably as talented
as any of his contemporaries.
In the 1990s,
he put his unique stamp on films
like Scent of a Woman
and Twister.
Hoffman notably brought
some of his best instincts
to Paul Thomas Anderson's catalog.
He played everyone
from the heartbreaking
Scotty in Boogie Nights
to the manipulative cult leader
in The Master.
His transformative role
in Capote won him an Oscar,
while his ambiguous work
in Doubt earned him
another Academy Award nomination.
No one knows I've done
something wrong.
Imagine the isolation.
You see the world
is through a window.
On one side of the glass,
happy, untroubled people.
And on the other side,
you.
He was a welcome presence
in every project
that died much too soon.
As both a lead
and supporting actor,
there were very few people
as fascinating to watch as him.
Number 32.
Jodie Foster
Starting as a child actress,
Jodie Foster appeared
in several classic films
before adulthood.
This includes the underrated musical
Bugsy Malone
and Martin Scorsese's
Taxi Driver.
The Scorsese film
earned her an Oscar nomination,
but it was the heroine drama
The Accused
that earned her
the prized statue.
That sounds like fun.
Listen, Ma,
you have a good time, okay?
Hey, how's Sadie doing?
She's fine.
I just got her a new flea cart.
Will I talk to you soon?
Yeah, real soon.
At the start of the next decade,
she won the same award
for her spectacular turn
in The Silence of the Lambs.
She's gone out of this world
in contact and helped a friend
try to achieve the impossible
in Nyad,
delivering performances
full of beautiful nuances.
Foster also ventured
into directing movies
and television,
enriching her already
cherished career.
Number 31.
Ralph Fiennes
If you love period dramas,
you probably love Ralph Fiennes.
He earned an Oscar nomination
for his chilling performance
as Eamon Goeth
in Schindler's List.
A few years later,
the actor starred
in the Best Picture winner
The English Patient.
Is this it?
It's time to do this.
I've watched you.
I've watched you at garden parties,
on verandas,
at the races.
How can you stand there?
How can you ever smile
as if your life
capsized?
Fiennes expanded his influence
to rom-coms like
Maiden Manhattan
and dark comedies
such as In Bruges.
Starring in the
Grand Budapest Hotel,
the performer blended his talents
into a scene-stealing role.
He keeps you guessing
in genre-bending films
like The Menu
or thrillers like Conclave.
I do not want to see
Tedesco as Pope.
He would take our church back
to an earlier era.
I'm sorry,
but I cannot vote for a man
unless I deem him
the most worthy to be Pope.
And for me,
that is not Tremblay.
It's you.
I don't want your vote!
There's also his storied time
in the Harry Potter
and James Bond series,
further proving his greatness
in long-running franchises.
With all kinds of superb work,
The Englishman is worthy of an Oscar.
James.
Number 30.
Johnny Depp.
You are without doubt
the worst pirate
I've ever heard of.
But you have heard of me.
Whether he's wearing
heavy makeup or not,
Johnny Depp is one of
the most influential
shapeshifters in film.
In the 1980s,
his TV roles
were a proving ground
for his future stardom.
Most famously,
the actor started
a long-standing partnership
with Tim Burton.
Their collaboration
spanned decades
and allowed Depp's
chameleon-like performances
to flourish.
And my Lucy
lies in ashes
And I'll never
see my girl again
But the work waits!
He also showed off his range
in more romantic films
like Benny and June
and dramas such as
Donnie Brasco.
His other roles include
Jack Sparrow
in the blockbuster franchise
Pirates of the Caribbean,
allowing him to mix comedy
with swashbuckling action.
While his personal life
and legal battles
draw scrutiny,
the performer's past work
is hard to ignore.
Bring me that horizon
and really bad eggs.
Party's your home.
Number 29.
Angela Bassett.
The spectacular
Angela Bassett
has starred in biopics,
rom-coms,
and superhero movies
without missing a beat.
She earned a nomination
for one of her most
celebrated performances
as Tina Turner.
Somebody please,
please tell me what's wrong.
Her powerful role
in What's Love Got To Do With It
still stands tall,
but it's far from
her only acclaimed project.
Bassett was later nominated
for her compelling role
in Black Panther Wakanda Forever.
I am queen of the most
powerful nation in the world
and my entire family is gone.
Have I not given everything?
Her career also includes
unique films like Strange Days
and an appearance
in the Mission Impossible franchise,
showing that she commands the screen
regardless of the material.
Her honorary Oscar
ultimately represents
her greater impact
on American film.
Number 28.
Willem Dafoe.
With almost 150 credits
in his extensive filmography,
Willem Dafoe is easily
one of the greatest living actors.
Younger audiences likely know him
as Peter Parker's sinister foe,
Norman Osborn,
also known as Green Goblin.
The skilled actor
has always been a great villain.
His chilling performance
as Max Schreck
slash Count Orlok
in Shadow of the Vampire
earned him a Best Supporting Actor
Oscar nomination.
As you no doubt have heard,
Max's methods
are somewhat unconventional,
but I am sure you will come
And 17 years later,
he was nominated again
for a very different role
in The Florida Project.
2019 saw him embody
a stranded lighthouse keeper
alongside Robert Pattinson
in The Lighthouse.
Number 27.
Brad Pitt.
With roles in films
like Thelma and Louise,
Brad Pitt entered the Hollywood radar
as an attractive star.
He spent the 1990s
challenging his pretty boy status
with Legends of the Fall
and then darker mysteries
like Seven.
Pitt also starred
in one of the biggest cult hits
of its era,
Fight Club.
His high-profile relationships
have also earned him
plenty of attention
and controversy.
In his professional career,
he can be a charismatic lead
in Moneyball
or deliver a wild transformation
for 12 Monkeys.
For Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,
the actor received an Oscar
for his effective work
as a stuntman.
The performer shows
no signs of stopping,
leading bold acting projects
as well as producing
award-winning films.
Number 26.
Sylvester Stallone.
With grit and determination,
this everyman rose to fame
in the 1970s.
Sylvester Stallone achieved
mainstream success
with his underdog performance
in Rocky.
It would arguably become
his defining role
that spanned several fun sequels.
Along with being a director,
the actor charted a career
of box office hits,
action staples,
and comedies.
He also starred as Rambo
in another notable series,
starting with First Blood.
Stallone was also a competitor
to fellow star Arnold Schwarzenegger,
playing tough guys in movies
like Cobra and Demolition Man.
He was Oscar nominated
for his emotional return
as Rocky Balboa in Creed.
Even as he's gotten older,
the performer shows off his energy
with projects like The Expendables.
Number 25.
Viola Davis.
Before she was the badass
Annalise Keating we know and love,
Viola Davis staked her claim
in the film industry.
She's repeatedly delivered
on the silver screen
with projects like Doubt
and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
In 2021,
Davis reprised her role
as the no-nonsense
and sometimes scary Amanda Waller
in The Suicide Squad,
a character we hope to see
for years to come.
On the television side,
she's perfected the art
of courtroom monologues
on the Shonda Rhimes legal thriller
How to Get Away with Murder.
Whether she's starring
in a TV series or film,
or even on stage
accepting an award,
Viola Davis is a powerhouse.
Number 24.
Sigourney Weaver.
In the sci-fi horror classic Alien,
Sigourney Weaver entered cinema history
as one of its toughest
and most memorable heroines.
She then returned for sequels
that expanded Ellen Ripley's character
and brought her to more audiences
around the world.
The actress did much more
than that franchise, however,
lending her talents
to diverse projects
such as Working Girl and Ghostbusters.
Her success continued
as she rejoined director James Cameron
for the Avatar series.
Hey, Maureen.
Grace?
Well, who'd you expect, numbnuts?
Think fast.
Motor control's looking good.
Weaver has a magnetic presence
that transcends movie genres,
giving even the slight glance
or stare an added meaning.
It's no wonder she's continued
to excite viewers after all this time.
Number 23.
Keanu Reeves.
Keanu Reeves is known
for being a great guy
and a famous actor.
Throughout the 1990s,
Reeves grew as an action hero
with major projects
such as Point Break and Speed.
At the end of the decade,
he played one of his most iconic characters
in The Matrix.
Goodbye, Mr. Anderson.
My name is Neil.
The groundbreaking film
allowed the performer
to show off his knack
for awesome action scenes.
Years later,
he starred in another notable franchise,
John Wick.
Hello, Francis.
Mr. Wick.
You've lost weight.
20 kilograms.
Yes, impressive.
Are you here on business, sir?
Afraid so, Francis.
Why don't you take the night off?
The star once again
showed off his ability
to sell intricate gunplay
and hand-to-hand combat.
He's also known
for the occasional romantic drama
and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
At this point,
it's easy to say
that this legend lights up any screen
with his physical performances.
Number 22.
Glenn Close.
She's been honored as a theater actor,
but some viewers know her
better for her film roles.
These include notable appearances
in the ensemble drama The Big Chill
and The World According to Garp.
I don't see what you're seeing.
Close draws you in
with her natural talents,
with an ability to play
to the audience's emotions.
This comes out especially
with her frightening work
in Fatal Attraction.
That performance earned
one of many Oscar nominations,
with more greatness to follow
in provocative films
such as The Wife
and Hillbilly Elegy.
Whether she's in 101 Dalmatians
or Guardians of the Galaxy,
this performer never fails
to achieve excellence.
Ms. DeVille.
Yes?
We have a warrant for your arrest.
Oh.
Is there something wrong?
Number 21.
Christian Bale.
This method actor is known
for his intense transformations,
altering his appearance significantly.
But there is no real me.
Only an entity.
Something illusory.
But Christian Bale's
serious acting ability
doesn't get enough praise on its own.
The dedication he puts
into his characters
is as psychological
as it is physical,
and it always pays off.
Bale has played everything
from a fit Wall Street serial killer
to an emaciated insomniac
to an aging American vice president.
His portrayal of Dickie Eklund
in The Fighter
landed him an Oscar
for Best Supporting Actor.
He even became the caped crusader
in Christopher Nolan's
widely successful Dark Knight trilogy.
Bale later made his MCU debut
in Taika Waititi's
Thor Love and Thunder,
playing the villainous
Gore the God Butcher.
Number 20.
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I'll be back.
Hailing from Austria,
this star went from a bodybuilder
to a movie legend.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
ruled the 1980s
as one of the biggest action stars.
Excuse me.
How long is the flight?
We land in Val Verde
in exactly 11 hours.
Thank you, and do me a favor.
Don't disturb my friend.
He's dead tired.
Starring in The Terminator,
the actor began his work
in the long-running sci-fi series.
He also starred in hits
like Conan the Barbarian,
Commando,
and Predator in the same decade.
Many of his 1990 films
were also successful,
as he starred in
the Terminator sequel
and comedies like
Kindergarten Cop.
I have a headache.
It might be a tumor.
It's not a tumor.
Not a tumor.
At all.
His mastery of shootouts,
fights,
and even comedic set pieces
can't be overstated.
After his time
as the California governor,
Schwarzenegger starred
in more movies
that capitalized
on his macho persona.
Number 19.
Francis McDormand.
Starting in the 1980s,
Francis McDormand
started a fruitful collaboration
with Joel and Ethan Coen.
McDormand went on
to win more than
a couple of Oscars,
including one for
the 1996 classic Fargo.
I guess that was your accomplice
and the wood chipper
and those three people
in Brainerd.
And for what?
For a little bit of money.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s,
her lead and supporting performances
were notably strong.
She later wowed
Academy voters
with her fierce presence
in three billboards
outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Shoot up a place,
or stab a guy.
Well then, even though
you may not know
nothing about it,
and even though
you may have just been
standing on a street corner
minding your own business,
what these new laws said was,
you're still culpable.
After exploring multiple genres,
the actress tried
something different
with her subtle turn
in Nomadland.
Her three Best Actress trophies
only tell part of the story,
highlighting a career
full of big risks
and huge payoffs.
Number 18.
Samuel L. Jackson.
With his appearances
in different franchises
and blockbusters,
Jackson is practically synonymous
with Hollywood success.
His engaging presence
makes for the highlight
of over a hundred movies.
The prolific actor
makes classics even more iconic,
bringing entertaining performances
to Quentin Tarantino
films like Pulp Fiction.
And I will strike down upon thee
with great vengeance
and furious anger
those who attempt
to poison and destroy my brothers.
And you will know
my name is the Lord
when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
Jackson is also known
for his incredible line readings
that make for one of his
greatest cinematic assets.
He can even make a movie
called Snakes on a Plane
worth watching.
From the Marvel Cinematic Universe
to the Star Wars prequels,
the legendary actor
never gives less than 100%.
In the name of the Galactic
Senate of the Republic,
you're under arrest, Chancellor.
Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?
The Senate will decide your fate.
I am the Senate.
Not yet.
Number 17, Harrison Ford.
For his roles in Star Wars
and the Indiana Jones series,
Harrison Ford starred
in some of the highest grossing
and most beloved films
of the 20th century.
His role as Han Solo
turned him into the scoundrel
that you can't help but love.
Even I get boarded sometimes.
Do you think I had a choice?
Over my dead body.
Yes, I bet you have.
As the famed archaeologist,
Ford became a relatable
and grounded hero.
This doesn't even count
his work in Blade Runner
or his roles as
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan.
As a reliable leading man,
the actor brings a self-assuredness
to a noble hero in Witness,
a desperate doctor in The Fugitive,
and even the secret menace
of What Lies Beneath.
Every time I look at her,
I see you.
Number 16, Anthony Hopkins.
While Anthony Hopkins has given us
too many great performances to count,
his ability to embody
completely different characters
is encapsulated beautifully
in his first two
Oscar-nominated performances.
First, as the highly intelligent
and manipulative killer,
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
in The Silence of the Lambs.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
You were doing fine.
You had been courteous
and receptive to courtesy.
You had established trust
with the embarrassing truth
about Meigs.
And now this ham-handed segue
into your questionnaire.
Second, as the quiet and reserved
butler James Stevens
in The Remains of the Day.
His turn years later
as Pope Benedict XVI
earned him another
Academy Award nomination
and continued to prove
he's deserving of a spot on this list.
But might I suggest you try
telling the newspapers
the opposite of what you think?
Your chances of being quoted correctly
might therefore improve.
We'd watch Hopkins act any day,
with or without some fava beans
and a nice Chianti.
Number 15, Emma Stone.
From her earlier days of Superbad,
Emma Stone showed that
she had a future in acting.
Her reputation for comedic parts grew
as films like Zombieland and Easy A
let her get big laughs.
As she navigated the 2010s,
Stone transitioned into more dramatic fare
with equal success.
This included an Academy Award
for her multifaceted work in La La Land.
Not one to rest on her laurels,
the actress pushed herself even further
with complex roles
in The Favourite and Poor Things.
These dark comedies
let her branch out
with eclectic material.
Her second collaboration
with Yorgos Lanthimos
earned her another Oscar,
reminding audiences of her
charismatic presence on screen.
Ladies, gin?
Please.
Gin?
We should get some water for the General.
Number 14, Heath Ledger.
Nowadays, when you hear this actor's name,
it's hard not to think of
the scene-stealing clown
in The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger's Joker set a new standard
for anyone taking on
the character in the future.
I don't want to kill you.
What would I do without you?
Go back to ripping off mob dealers?
No, no.
No.
No, you.
You complete me.
It's a remarkable performance
that earned him a posthumous Academy Award
for Best Supporting Actor
and garnered lasting praise.
Given his previous work in films
like A Knight's Tale,
fans didn't believe
he could tackle such a role.
Boy, were they wrong.
But let's not forget
his heartbreaking role
as a sheepherder
in Brokeback Mountain.
The bottom line is
we're around each other
and this thing grabs hold of us again
in the wrong place
in the wrong time
and we're dead.
Number 13.
Joaquin Phoenix.
Forever reinventing himself,
Joaquin Phoenix has transformed himself
into a wide range of distinct characters.
After his false retirement from acting,
Phoenix returned to the screen
in Paul Thomas Anderson's
psychological drama The Master.
You know you should wake up now.
Your father's speaking.
You might learn something.
Unsurprisingly,
the actor garnered massive praise
for his performance
as a World War II veteran
trying to adjust to civilian life.
He followed that up
with films like sci-fi romance Her
and the biopic
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot.
But it's the box office hit Joker
that really got everyone's attention.
Murray, one small thing.
Yeah.
When you bring me out,
can you introduce me as Joker?
He's known for taking dark roles,
but the traumatized,
failed comedian Arthur Fleck
is one of his darkest.
Number 12.
Julia Roberts.
It's hard to imagine a time
before Julia Roberts achieved stardom.
From her early performances,
the actress showed
that she was a bright light
in any project.
Pretty Woman was a major breakthrough for her
and signaled a decade of successful work.
Hi.
Hello.
Do you remember me?
No, I'm sorry.
I was in here yesterday.
You wouldn't wait on me?
Oh, you work on commission, right?
Yes.
Big mistake.
Big.
Huge.
I have to go shopping now.
This includes thrillers
like The Pelican Brief
and enjoyable rom-coms
like Notting Hill.
She also won an Academy Award
for her stunning choices
in Erin Brockovich.
Her parents are Ted and Rita.
Ted's got Crohn's disease.
Rita has chronic headaches and nausea
and underwent a hysterectomy last fall.
Ted grew up in Hinckley.
His brother Robbie and his wife May
and their five children,
Robbie Jr.,
Martha, Ed, Rose and Peter
also lived on the plume.
Their number is 4549554.
In the 2000s,
she lent her talents
to the Ocean series
and continued her role
as a leading actress in Hollywood.
In both comedies and dramas,
the performer shows her range
and endless chemistry
with her co-stars.
11.
Jack Nicholson
While everyone does
a Jack Nicholson impression,
when it comes to his ability
as an actor,
there are few who compare.
Off screen,
he has a cool guy
with sunglasses aura.
On screen,
Nicholson has proved his ability
to do pretty much anything.
For some,
his role in The Shining is the top.
For others,
there's no more iconic Nicholson
than One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
or Chinatown.
And we still haven't mentioned
a few good men,
As Good As It Gets
or The Departed.
And if longevity means anything to you,
allow us to point out the fact
that Nicholson was nominated
for an acting Oscar
every decade from the 60s
through the 2000s.
10.
Leonardo DiCaprio
He's come a long way
from his 23 episode stint
as Luke Bauer
on Growing Pains.
And sure,
he was a good looking guy
and he handled his own on screen.
But that character wasn't evidence
of the amazing actor
Leonardo DiCaprio was to become.
It would first really show itself
about a year later
in DiCaprio's Oscar-nominated turn
in What's Eating Gilbert Grape,
and the evidence kept mounting from there.
In his early 20s,
his talent reigned in The Basketball Diaries
and Romeo and Juliet.
As he got older,
he matured,
and so did his performances,
whether it was playing Howard Hughes
or J. Edgar Hoover,
or winning his first Oscar
for his brilliant turn in The Revenant.
9.
Robin Williams
There are very few people
who would ever be on a list
of the greatest comedians of all time,
and a list of the greatest actors.
Robin Williams is one of those people.
Some of his best performances
relied on his brilliant comedic mind
and manic personality,
from Good Morning Vietnam
to Aladdin.
Excuse me?
Are you looking at me?
Did you rub my lamp?
Did you wake me up?
Did you bring me here?
And all of a sudden,
you're walking out on me?
I don't think so.
Not right now.
You're getting your wishes,
so sit down!
But what makes Williams
such a standout actor
was his ability to play the drama,
the quiet,
and those moments of true depth
and introspection.
An ability highlighted
in his Oscar-winning performance
as Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting.
Maybe you're perfect right now.
Maybe you don't want to ruin that.
But I think that's a super philosophy, Will.
That way you can go
through your entire life
without ever having
to really know anybody.
He really could do it all.
We would stand on our desks
any day for Robin Williams.
8.
Robert De Niro
There's no doubting
Robert De Niro's place on this list,
as he is certainly
one of the greatest actors of all time.
His iconic roles in movies
like Taxi Driver,
The King of Comedy,
and Cape Fear
have definitely cemented
his name in film history.
Beyond emotionally
and mentally immersing himself
in his roles,
De Niro is known for physically
committing completely
to a character.
He famously put on 60 pounds
for a portion of his 1980 performance
as Jake LaMotta
in Raging Bull.
Seriously, folks,
it's a thrill to be standing here
with all you wonderful people tonight.
Well, in fact,
it's a thrill to be standing.
And while he made his name
in dramas and crime films,
he's proved in more recent decades
with films such as Analyze This
and Meet the Parents
that he can do comedy also.
7.
Tom Cruise
For multiple decades and counting,
Tom Cruise has built up
a monolithic presence on film.
His star power generates
box office successes,
pop culture phenomenons,
and acclaimed dramas.
His multi-genre work
also spans several franchises
such as Top Gun
and Mission Impossible.
He's teamed up with many
of the greatest directors
of the last half century,
including Martin Scorsese,
Stanley Kubrick,
and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Cruise gives his all
to many roles that put
his body on the line.
Famous for his action projects,
the performer does
many death-defying stunts.
He's continued to raise the bar
as an actor dedicated to his craft.
That's why they canned me
the last time.
The only reason I'm here is you.
If I send him on his mission,
he might never come home.
6.
Cate Blanchett
You know how Classico pasta sauce
bills itself as the second best
compared to Homemade?
Well, Cate Blanchett
is such a great actor
that her portrayal
of Queen Elizabeth I
and Catherine Hepburn
are second only
to the actual women themselves.
I've met someone,
I've fallen in love,
and I'm moving out.
If I could make it
any more gentle, I would.
Blanchett's range is so impressive,
she even earned
one of her many Oscar nominations
for playing a version of Bob Dylan
in I'm Not There.
I'm not the president.
I'm not some shepherd.
I'm just a storyteller, man.
That's all I am.
And we can't forget
her portrayal of Galadriel
in the Lord of the Rings trilogy,
a role that made such an impact
Guillermo del Toro
and Peter Jackson
wrote her into the Hobbit trilogy,
even though the character
isn't actually in the novel.
Number 5.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis is widely regarded
as one of the finest thespians ever.
In 2012, Time magazine
proclaimed him
the world's greatest actor,
and with his Oscar for Lincoln,
Day-Lewis became the first
three-time Best Actor winner.
I signed the Emancipation Proclamation
a year and a half
before my second election.
I felt I was within my power to do it.
However, I also felt
that I might be wrong about that.
I knew the people would tell me.
I gave them a year and a half
to think about it,
and they reelected me.
His career has been distinguished
by thought-provoking performances
in a range of critically acclaimed films,
and the time and energy
he devotes to each role is legendary.
For his role in In the Name of the Father,
Day-Lewis lost over 50 pounds
and demanded the crew verbally abuse him.
During the filming of Gangs of New York,
the crew had to convince him
to get treated for pneumonia.
He initially refused
because it wasn't true to the time period.
When it comes to acting,
Day-Lewis drinks all of our milkshakes.
I drink your milkshake.
I drink it up!
Number four, Denzel Washington.
When it comes to great actors,
few have a magnetism
that can compare to that
of Denzel Washington.
His charisma and talent
are larger than life.
What is thy name?
Thou be afraid to hear it?
No?
Nor thou call'st thyself
a hotter name than any is in hell.
My name's Macbeth.
Whether he's doing Shakespeare
or rocking an action movie,
Washington's presence fills the screen,
grabs you,
and doesn't allow you to look away.
He doesn't even have to say a single word.
As he proved early on
in one of the most powerful scenes of his career
in the film, Glory.
When it comes to screen presence,
King Kong really doesn't have anything
on this uber-talented actor.
King Kong ain't got s*** on me!
Number three, Al Pacino.
While most associated with big, loud outbursts
and moments of climactic exclamations,
pigeonholing Al Pacino in that way
does a disservice to one of the greatest acting talents
Hollywood has ever seen.
There's gotta be a way to wipe it out.
God damn it, there's gotta be a way.
Let's get out of here for a while, huh, honey?
Let's go to a movie.
You quit handling me!
What are you doing?
Go to a movie!
How am I gonna go to a movie?
You know they'd kill me if they knew!
Do you know that?
Sure, he's great at being loud,
but that's not where his greatness comes from.
For all of the you're out of order
and Attica, Attica, Attica,
there are also moments of quiet conversation,
true studies in character that are just as riveting.
What's most important to me is that I have a guarantee.
No more attempts on my father's life.
He can be the head of a criminal family
or an aging, paranoid, mid-level mafioso.
He can do Shakespeare and Mamet,
and he does it all with a force
and deep connection with character and truth
that continues to impress.
Number two, Tom Hanks.
Comedy, drama, romance, Tom Hanks can do it all.
Hanks can float from one genre to another
and knock it out of the park each time
like few other actors can.
He made his name in 80s comedies
and became a rom-com icon in the 90s.
It's you.
I saw you in the street.
Are you Annie?
Yes.
But while other actors could have easily been boxed
into those types of movies,
Hanks showed off his range,
winning two consecutive Best Actor Oscars
for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
Those must be comfortable shoes.
I bet you could walk all day in shoes like that
and not feel a thing.
I wish I had shoes like that.
My feet hurt.
He also made us cry over a volleyball.
How many actors can say that?
Hanks might be the nicest guy in Hollywood,
but he's also one of the best actors.
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Number 1.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep's unparalleled acting ability,
approachability and dynamism
easily make her one of the greatest thespians
of both stage and screen.
From her heartbreaking turn in Sophie's Choice
to her spot-on performance
as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady,
Streep has consistently showcased
her remarkable range as a performer.
With all due respect, sir.
I have done battle every single day of my life
and many men have underestimated me before.
This lot seem bound to do the same,
but they will rule the day.
And while awards and nominations
might not always be a perfect indicator of talent,
Streep's record 21 Oscar
and 33 Golden Globe nominations
are crazy numbers that can't be overlooked.
Comedy, drama, musicals, accents.
As an actor,
Streep has proven that there's nothing she can't handle
and do so at a level we've rarely seen.
And it's sort of comical
how you think that you've made a choice
that exempts you from the fashion industry
when in fact you're wearing a sweater
that was selected for you
by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.
Which defining movie star did we snub for this list?
Let us know in the comments.
Just smile Loretta
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