Some great actors shine just a little bit brighter than your everyday Hollywood celebrity, and that’s a fact. Knowing full well that this list is as subjective as they come, we’ve compiled a listing of the 34 actors who we believe are among the best artists ever to grace the silver screen.
34. Tom Cruise
If there’s a face for the phrase “movie star”, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone other than Tom Cruise to take the crown. Cruise can draw audiences into his roles without playing up his importance in interviews or press runs off-screen, thanks to his consistency.
Once people know a new Tom Cruise flick is in the works, everyone is sure that he has some mind-blowing scenes to display on-screen. As a total and undiluted figure, he treads some paths few men would even dare to attempt in life-or-death scenarios. While it is flashy to highlight the stunts, Cruise has shown that he has the range to bring passion onto the screen, as evidenced by his performance in films like Rain Man.
So far, he has shown no signs of slowing down, displaying a genuine love for the craft. Tom Cruise may lack Oscar nods, but he doesn’t need them to show the most prominent critics how it’s done.
33. Paul Newman
An icon in film history, Paul Newman is unforgettable thanks to his illustrious career and passion for self-expression. Whether it was his racing career, political activism or anti-hero roles in movies, we could always witness and appreciate his individuality on display. A highlight of his fame is also worth attributing to his ever-so-popular piercing blue eyes. With a no-nonsense attitude, he had fans swooning over him and the bad boy brand he exemplified.
In his film roles, Newman was an impressive figure to watch. He showcased his talent and artistry as a student of the Stanislavski acting method, which brought much realism into his roles. His characters’ natural mannerisms, combined with his charismatic charm, made them feel more impressionable. In his successful career, Newman earned one Oscar win, 10 Nominations, and multiple Golden Globes.
32. Robin Williams
An actor with a cinematic legacy that has warmed the hearts of millions, Robin Williams is a massive influence on many millennials today, providing performances that have connected with the core of his audiences.
His Academy Award-winning role in Good Will Hunting exemplifies what made this actor so special. Performing with a delivery that pierces the heart like a dagger, he’s willing to show vulnerability in a way that encourages dialogue. Films like Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, and The Fisher King are among the finest pieces of film a camera has ever seen.
While he’s gone now, his legacy stands tall. Williams earned four Oscar Nominations and a well-deserved win for Good Will Hunting.
31. Christian Bale
In the current filmmaking climate, an actor like Christian Bale seems like a dying breed. As one of the few craft masters, it’s important to give him his flowers.
Bale has had an air of magnificence since his start as a child actor in the 1980s. However, his true statements of permanence in the film were present in his roles from the 2000s with a maniacal perfectionist in American Psycho and his eerie uncertainty in The Machinist. He also went on to embrace commercial success with the philosophically gripping take on Batman in a magnificent trilogy.
In addition to these roles, Bale has also solidified his range by proving himself to be among the best method actors. He has done what it takes to perform in multiple films such as American Hustle and Vice. He has many accolades and awards, including an Academy Awards win and four Nominations.
30. Brad Pitt
Believe it or not, it’s easier to choose who will take the first spot on this list than who will be on the 10th spot. Brad Pitt might be one of the most recognizable actors of the 21st century, and his impressive filmography and charming good looks might be the main reason for his worldwide popularity.
More than just a renowned actor, Pitt was known as a pop culture icon during the peak of his popularity. His “Brangelina” days made him the de facto face of Hollywood stardom. Nowadays, he seems to be a bit more laidback with his acting, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped starring in great films like Moneyball and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
It’s hard to deny that Brad Pitt is one of the best actors of all time.
29. Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford redefined what it meant to be cool in the 1980s, and he hasn’t stopped being cool ever since. Starring in legendary franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, Ford’s image as a rogue who plays by his own rules is engraved in the minds of everyone who grew up during the 1980s and 90s.
Besides his more mainstream roles, Ford starred in some great thrillers, like the 1993 classic The Fugitive. He also had the lead role in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Ford shows no signs of ever slowing down.
28. Russell Crowe
Even though we don’t see Russell Crowe in mainstream films as frequently these days, it’s hard to understate how successful the Kiwi actor truly was. Perhaps the role that defines his career is that of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical drama Gladiator.
Crowe’s acting in Gladiator is simply perfect – a fact that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognised with an Oscar in 2001. Recently, Crowe has been taking his career in a new direction, mostly playing the bad guy in some indie films.
27. Joaquin Phoenix
Few actors can play a broken man with the raw emotion that Joaquin Phoenix instils into every character he’s ever played. He shared the screen with Russell Crowe in Gladiator, playing the narcissist tyrant, Commodus.
Despite his long list of outstanding drama roles, the moment that truly made Phoenix’s career shine happened just a few years ago when he starred as the Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips’ Joker. He might forever be remembered as a charismatic villain, but one of his best performances comes from a simple love story between a man and his cellphone in 2013’s Her.
Joaquin Phoenix is recognised as one of the best actors of all time.
26. Clint Eastwood
When it comes to working in the film industry, some actors have tried it all, from standing in front of the cameras to moving behind them and directing their own feature films. Clint Eastwood is a man who has done both – and also redefined the face of the American cowboy for generations to come.
Starring in such legendary Western films as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and For a Fistful of Dollars, Eastwood has also directed some spectacularly touching drama films. 2004’s Million Dollar Baby might be his magnum opus, and even now, at 91 years old, Eastwood is still directing and starring in films like Cry Macho.
25. Morgan Freeman
Nobody in the entertainment business has a voice as soothing as Morgan Freeman. Known primarily for his collaborations with Christopher Nolan, Freeman has become a drama icon thanks to his impressive skills and the sheer emotion he communicates through his acting.
Some of his best films are Seven, the Nolan Batman trilogy, and the absolute classic that is The Shawshank Redemption. He also played everyone’s favourite version of God in the Bruce Almighty duology.
24. Spencer Tracy
One of the most esteemed actors of classic Hollywood, Spencer Tracy earned two Academy Awards for Best Actor (back to back). He had a long career, appearing alongside Katharine Hepburn in nine films, including Woman of the Year, Adam’s Rib, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? At the time, the pair became famous for their relationship both on and off-screen.
23. Gene Hackman
Aside from being everyone’s favourite Lex Luthor, Hackman was known as one of the best actors of his time. Delivering standout performances in a wide array of genres, including comedy, action and drama, he is mostly praised for his performances in The French Connection, The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Crimson Tide and, of course, Superman. At one point, he was amongst the actors who had starred in the most films of all time. Hackman retired from acting in 2004.
22. William Hurt
Rising to fame in the ’80s for his role in Kiss of the Spider Woman, for which he won an Academy Award, William Hurt went on to have a long career in Hollywood (receiving three Best Actor Oscar nominations in a row), mostly playing conflicted characters. His subtlety made him stand out in his many character-driven roles. Modern audiences will remember him from films like A History of Violence, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and M Night Shyamalan’s The Village.
21. Laurence Olivier
Although he is known as a versatile actor, Laurence Olivier did some of his best big-screen work when he headlined Shakespearean characters, as he did in Othello, Richard III, Hamlet, and Henry V. Over his long career, he received numerous awards, knighthood, and became a symbol of success. He also left his mark on cinema with performances in Rebecca and Wuthering Heights.
20. Katharine Hepburn
Known for playing characters with fierce independence and sharp wit in both dramatic and comedic films, Hepburn holds the record for most Oscars won by a performer for her roles in Morning Glory, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter and On Golden Pond. Many attribute Hepburn to being the actress who first redefined female roles on screen. She was also amazing in The Philadelphia Story, The African Queen, Suddenly, Last Summer and Bringing Up Baby.
19. Yul Brynner
Known for his iconic bald head, the Russian-born actor is best remembered for his role as King Mongkut in The King and I (for which he won the Best Actor Oscar in 1956) and Westerns like The Magnificent Seven. Many also believe he gave one of the best performances of his career as Ramses in The Ten Commandments (1956).
18. Charlton Heston
Known for his commanding presence, Charlton Heston is best known for playing Biblical and heroic characters in epic films like Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments and The Planet of the Apes. Of course, his unmistakable screen presence led to him winning a number of Oscar awards during his six-decade-long career.
17. Robert Duvall
You only need to take one look at Robert Duvall’s impressive list of films to know why he is on this list: Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Apostle, and Tender Mercies. He is known for giving quiet but moving performances. With a career that spans six decades, Duvall has played both lead and supporting roles with conviction. While he might not have the biggest fanbase in Hollywood, like, say, Leonardo DiCaprio, critics and actors see him as a legendary figure in Hollywood.
16. Meryl Streep
It’s impossible to discuss acting without mentioning the greatest actress of all time. Meryl Streep has won a whopping 21 Oscar nominations (winning 3 times) over four decades. She is recognised for being a bit of a chameleon in the industry, being able to play all sorts of characters in both comedy and drama with emotional depth. Her best performances can be seen in The Deer Hunter, Adaptation, The Bridges of Madison County, Kramer vs. Kramer and One True Thing.
15. Sidney Poitier
It is only natural that the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor (for 1963’s Lilies of the Field) is included on this list. One of the last big stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age, Poitier was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974, honoured with an Academy Award for his remarkable contributions to acting, and even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2009. His films inspired a generation of up-and-coming black actors, including Denzel Washington.
14. James Cagney
Known for his fiery intensity and machine gun-fast line delivery, James Cagney (the star of Yankee Doodle Dandy) blazed onto the screen in a way few actors have ever matched. Though he started as a song-and-dance man on Broadway, Cagney brought a raw physicality to all his roles in Hollywood.
No matter the part, he attacked it with gusto – like when he shoved a grapefruit into his girlfriend’s face in the gangster classic Public Enemy. That film cemented his fame, showing Cagney could be chilling yet amusing with the same explosive breath. The actor particularly shone when playing unpredictable characters, like the psychotic Cody Jarrett in White Heat.
With a style so ahead of its time, Cagney became synonymous with the fast-talking tough guy. Yet he also revealed stellar comedic chops and dancing abilities alongside the likes of Bob Hope and Doris Day. From the tapping feet to the machine-gun mouth, Cagney brought a blazing kinetic energy that dazzles on screen nine decades later.
13. Charlie Chaplin
The Tramp will forever remain one of cinema’s most iconic and endearing creations – brought to life through Charlie Chaplin’s legendary physical comedy. Though the silent film era lacked dialogue, Chaplin’s expressive movements, deadpan facial expressions, and impeccable comedic timing spoke volumes from the first frame.
As the lovable vagrant figure of The Tramp, Chaplin could make audiences laugh uproariously one moment and tug at their heartstrings the next in classics like The Kid and City Lights. Yet Chaplin also exhibited fearless ambition, taking on timely issues, directing, producing, and starring in perhaps his masterpiece—The Great Dictator.
As a parody of Hitler, he delivered an impassioned speech that still rings powerfully today. The actor-filmmaker pushed boundaries his whole career, his style and creative sensibilities, leaving an indelible print on cinema. Nearly a century since his heyday, the subtle virtuosity of Chaplin remains a sheer joy to behold – a founding father of film comedy and American cinema whose legacy will never lose its universal appeal.
12. Humphrey Bogart
A man who seemed incapable of leaving his fedora and a pack of cigarettes behind, Humphrey Bogart crafted a singularly iconic persona as the cynical yet honourable antihero. After years of playing gangsters and villains, his breakthrough came as the private eye Sam Spade in 1941’s The Maltese Falcon—his caustic wit and underlying integrity proved irresistible.
That mix of bravado and vulnerability translated beautifully into Bogart’s most legendary role as Rick Blaine in Casablanca. As the nightclub owner nursing heartbreak and rallying his principles, Bogart uttered one immortal line after another. While his persona hardly strayed across diverse genres from noir to romance, Bogart maximized his strengths – using that world-weary stare and pitch-perfect delivery to embody the very essence of 1940s cool. He received three Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, winning once for his performance in The African Queen.
11. Henry Fonda
With his cool and collected on-screen presence, Henry Fonda cemented himself as one of the most legendary actors in Hollywood history. Over his five-decade career, Fonda brought nuance and gravitas to every role. Though often typecast as the quintessential American hero, he injected even his most conventional characters with subtle depths.
Just look to his Oscar-winning performance as the reticent farmer Tom Joad in the classic drama The Grapes of Wrath. Fonda also flourished in darker roles, like the heartless outlaw in Sergio Leone’s seminal Spaghetti Western Once Upon a Time in the West.
With one Academy Award and countless iconic films like 12 Angry Men and On Golden Pond, Fonda has certainly earned his place among the best of the best. He’ll always be remembered for that steady, introspective gaze and ability to capture the most poignant of human emotions just beneath the surface.
10. Sean Penn
A powerhouse of film artistry, Sean Penn is a versatile actor who will stay stamped in the history books for a long time. This Los Angeles native had his breakthrough in Fast Times at Ridgemont High as a stoner kid. However, he didn’t seem like the sort to elevate his career to what it is today. His open-mindedness has undoubtedly given him the drive to succeed so thoroughly as an actor, playing roles that are vulnerable and unconventional from what was once a “bad boy” actor.
The 2000s were a profound time to see Penn on screen, giving us an emotionally gripping performance in 2003’s Mystic River and playing the first openly gay man elected into political office in 2008’s Milk. He’s an accomplished individual even outside of acting, but his accolades still stand tall, with 2 Oscar wins and five nominations in his career. Sean Penn has earned his place on this list as one of the greatest actors ever.
9. Robert De Niro
No actor manages to find a way to complement a good script like De Niro. His filmography has been stellar since the 1970s, showing viewers that an actor can be on top of their game for however long they choose. Although the modern trajectory of films hasn’t done any favours for his career, his amazing run during the peak of gangster movies (with Martin Scorsese) and underdog vs the world stories will never go unforgotten.
He’s given us various performances, including a funny and gripping presence in The King of Comedy. His dedication to a role is uncontested, with films like Raging Bull displaying his willingness to make physical changes for a character. Even the fine details don’t go unnoticed with Robert DeNiro, who considers even little things like mannerisms when holding ketchup.
His best films include The Deer Hunter, American Hustle, Taxi Driver, Awakenings, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, The Godfather Part II, and Heat. So far, he has earned two Academy Awards and eight nominations. Like other actors on this list, his total award and nomination count is impressively diverse and indicative of his talent.
8. Dustin Hoffman
An actor who manages to sink so deeply into his roles that you forget the actor and remember the characters. Dustin Hoffman is a true artist with his convincing yet smooth embodiment of his characters.
His breakout role in The Graduate elevated him to new heights in his career, making him a household name. The film was eventually inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry, a great honour for any actor. The Kramer vs. Kramer actor has produced some of the most iconic performances of the 80s and 90s, such as his role in Rain Man, where one might be mistaken to believe that the actor in the main role had the condition being portrayed. His best films include Midnight Cowboy, Tootsie, Hook, Marathon Man, and Runaway Jury.
A natural gift for central roles, Hoffman never fails to put a smile on an audience’s face in his comedic performances. Likewise, he embodies the tumultuous range of emotions felt in dramatic performances. In his illustrious career, Hoffman has earned two Academy Awards, seven nominations, and multiple accolades.
7. Denzel Washington
One of the most accomplished actors in Hollywood, Denzel Washington, is the epitome of smoothness when it comes to delivery. With a dominant screen presence, he’s the one you’re always watching out for, even when he’s in a supporting role.
Over time, Denzel has gathered a nice list of classic roles that enrich his film catalogue in ways that are rare to see over decades. Training Day, Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Equalizer, Macbeth… The list goes on with a definitive favourite from the New York actor.
His critical acclaim is well deserved, with two Oscars earned and ten nominations. Commercially, he’s also one of the most praised actors among fans across social media and film discussions. There’s no doubt that Denzel Washington is one of the best actors of all time.
6. Tom Hanks
An actor who embodies America’s warmest virtues, Tom Hanks, is a movie star who manages to avoid the braggadocio air of entitlement Hollywood stars seem to embrace. His film performances have been nothing short of heartfelt, regardless of the genre. A testament to how an actor usually brings a little bit of themselves into a performance without deviating from a character’s core elements.
Pulling off the role of the main character in Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia, and Forrest Gump is something a casting team would probably need two very different actors to play. Still, Hanks has enough finesse and charisma to mould himself into a character. Earning his place as one of the most phenomenal actors of his generation, Hanks is a two-time Oscar winner with no signs of slowing down in his performances. He recently tried out a more antagonistic supporting role in the Elvis biopic.
5. Daniel Day-Lewis
Perhaps the best example of a method actor is Daniel Day-Lewis, a name that is synonymous with passion in a film performance. Whether it is a biopic or a Scorsese gangster flick, this English actor has the tools to embody a character.
Day-Lewis’ career began with theatre, where he performed in multiple stage plays before arriving in Hollywood. Typically choosing roles based on passion and not commission (like My Left Foot, for example), he doesn’t boast an extensive list of projects compared to some other actors presented here. Still, he has a reputation for the fine details invested in every performance. On one occasion, the actor contracted Pneumonia for refusing to wear a coat or receive medical treatment while filming Gangs of New York. He cited that this behaviour was accurate for the time period. Talk about dedication!
His accolades include 3 Academy Awards with six nominations, four BAFTA Awards with six nominations and a slew of other reputable awards across the industry.
4. Jack Nicholson
One of the most recognizable personalities in Hollywood, Jack Nicholson has some of cinema’s most iconic performances under his belt. It would be hard to pick a single role to call his best, but if we had to choose some of our favourite Nicholson movies, we’d probably pick Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Few Good Men, The Shining, and, of course, his version of the Joker in 1989’s Batman.
Here’s a fun fact: It’s well known that Stephen King wasn’t as huge of a fan of Nicholson as Jack Torrance in The Shining, but did you know why? The reason is that King believed that the audience would immediately know that Nicholson’s character was going to go wild at some point in the film due to his already menacing looks.
3. Al Pacino
Al Pacino’s name became synonymous with some of Hollywood’s most popular crime films of all time. This is an actor that makes being bad look good – from The Godfather to Scarface, Pacino has proved his mettle as an amazing character actor time and time again.
Even if he has recently appeared in some… questionable roles (like his cameo in Jack and Jill), the fact remains that Pacino’s career is one of the most prolific in cinema history. His starring role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II rivals in quality with the work of Marlon Brando – a feat that not many actors can presume of.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
Starting in the movie business at a young age is rarely kind to child actors. Still, some of them, like Leonardo DiCaprio, reshape the entire entertainment industry for the better. Not only is DiCaprio an incredible actor, but he’s also an immensely altruistic fellow, helping the environment and those in need with his philanthropic organizations.
In 2015, thanks to The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio finally managed what some thought was impossible: winning the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, an accolade he had pursued for quite some time.
1. Marlon Brando
Many consider Marlon Brando one of the best actors of all time. His imposing presence commanded respect and admiration from his peers, even later in his career. His role as Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather pretty much shaped the Italian mob genre.
Besides The Godfather, Brando also starred in On the Waterfront, Apocalypse Now, comedies like The Teahouse of the August Moon, and as a true 50s rebel in The Wild One and A Streetcar Named Desire. Even at his worst, Brando still managed to be absolutely enjoyable, as if he were in the fever dream of The Island of Dr. Moreau.
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What do you think? Who are the best actors of all time? Here is a list of actors who have appeared in the most movies.
