Cinema has spanned a total of a century, beginning with a short clip of a jockey riding a horse called the Roundhay Garden Scene. From the silent film era through the Golden Age of Hollywood, cinema has aged like fine wine, only getting better with time as artists in the industry learn and grow from past productions. With the advancement of technology on top of this, the way movies are made has changed drastically, bringing about a whole new generation of filmmaking.
Update July 9, 2023: Every day, the list of great actors grows, so this list has been updated to include even more iconic names that have defined cinema in recent years.
With this much evolution throughout cinematic history, it makes sense that the actors that starred in the films have also changed as well. The Golden Age of Hollywood brought us Clark Gable, Orson Welles, and Katherine Hepburn, some of the greatest actors of their time. Cut to 2023, modern-day cinema is filled with talented performers that manage to wow audiences. More great actors are emerging and becoming defining talents with each passing day, it seems, so here are the 30 greatest actors of our time.
31 Robert Downey Jr.
Hollywood really loves a great redemption story in front and behind the cameras. Robert Downey Jr. had a tumultuous past since he’s been in the industry since 1970. While he had multiple minor works to his name, it would be 1985’s Weird Science, his breakout hit, with Back to School increasing his profile as a young actor.
He got his first Oscar nomination back in 1992 for his magnificent performance in Chaplin and for being a great lead in multiple comedies and romantic films such as Heart and Souls, Only You, Air America, and Natural Born Killers. His career took a nosedive due to his crippling drug and alcohol addiction, but he resurfaced like the proverbial phoenix thanks to Iron Man in 2008. He’s been very in demand since with great comedy parts in Tropic Thunder or other action feature such as Sherlock Holmes.
30 Brad Pitt
There’s no denying Brad Pitt is one of the greatest actors of modern times. While his early works are not exactly groundbreaking, he got his first major role in Thelma & Louise as the scummy J.D. Pitt would increase his profile with more dramas and a few comedies such as Cool World, Kalifornia, and True Romance. In 1996 he got his first Oscar nod for his role in 12 Monkeys. If you do a little searching on the top of your head, you will likely easily remember five to six films featuring his talents. Brad hasn’t stopped making movies, either by acting in them or the producer role. Some of his most memorable works include Fight Club, Snatch, The Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, Burn After Reading, and many more.
29 Cillian Murphy
Not many people think of Cillian Murphy as the superstar he is. His breakout hit was the horror drama 28 Days Later, and he hasn’t stopped pumping bangers since. He would surprise everyone with his role as Johnathan Crane in Batman Begins, which he reprised in the next two sequels. He’s also featured in more grounded productions such as The Wind that Shakes Berkley, Breakfast in Pluto, and Sunshine.
He came back to large-scale big-budget films with Inception, but he increased his profile with his powerful performance as Thomas Shelby in the show Peaky Blinders. He’s the main lead in Oppenheimer, a role that will surely be defining and bring him plenty of well-deserved accolades.
28 Bryan Cranston
Known for his role as Walter White in the hit series Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston has built a reputation as one of the best actors of our time. Winning a total of six Primetime Emmy Awards, Cranston has even spent a great deal of time on the stage, earning him a Tony for Best Actor in a Play for All the Way. Cranston’s versatility knows no bounds as he stars in war films like Saving Private Ryan while also making time for voice-acting roles like in Isle of Dogs.
27 Natalie Portman
Beginning her career at the age of 12 in Leon: The Professional, Natalie Portman immediately caught the eye of critics and audiences. She went on to star in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Closer, V for Vendetta, and the infamous Black Swan, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Starring in the Thor franchise established her as one of the world’s highest-paid actresses.
26 Scarlet Johansson
Scarlett Johansson has been an actor since childhood, starring in films like Ghost World. As an adult, she broke out strong in Lost in Translation, earning a BAFTA for her performance. Her career has only continued to bloom, earning roles in films like Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, both of which earned her simultaneous Academy Award nominations. Not to mention her large presence in the MCU as the Black Widow.
25 Charlize Theron
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Charlize Theron has made a name for herself in Hollywood through films like Cider House Rules and The Devil’s Advocate. Her performance in Monster earned her critical acclaim, including the Silver Bear and Academy Award for Best Actress. Her filmography includes hits like Atomic Blonde, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Fate of the Furious, and Prometheus. In 2016, TIME named Theron one of the most influential people in the world.
24 Keanu Reeves
Only one man can be John Wick and Neo, and that man is Keanu Reeves. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Reeves made an impression in his breakthrough role in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, a role he reprised several times. Reeves has gone on to star in a variety of films, most notably The Devil’s Advocate, Dracula, and Street Kings. Reeves made a comeback through John Wick, a welcome reminder of his awesomeness.
23 Johnny Depp
You may know him as Sweeney Todd, the Mad Hatter, or Jack Sparrow, but his name is Johnny Depp. Depp made his film debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street before going on to star in the TV series 21 Jump Street. He began collaborating with Tim Burton in 1990 with Edward Scissorhands. Depp has been subject to critical acclaim and commercial success, one of the few actors to manage to have success in both areas.
22 Sigourney Weaver
The Queen of Sci-fi didn’t earn that name overnight. Sigourney Weaver rose to fame after being cast as the main character Ellen Ripley in the iconic Alien franchise. The role became critically acclaimed and earned her her first Academy Award nomination. Over the years, Weaver has generated a significant filmography, including Holes, Galaxy Quest, and Avatar, earning several accolades in the process.
21 Helena Bonham Carter
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Having small beginnings in British cinema, Helena Bonham Carter rose to prominence through A Room with a View and Hamlet. She would gain more recognition through supporting roles, as seen in Fight Club, Howards End, and The King’s Speech, the latter of which earned her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. Her roles have varied from the evil Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter to the caring mother in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, proving her versatility.
20 Christian Bale
Known for his extreme method acting that has cost him his health, there is no doubt that Christian Bale is one of the greatest actors of our time. Starring in Empire of the Sun at 13, Bale had an early start to his career, gaining recognition through his leading roles in American Psycho and The Machinist. He went on to become Batman in The Dark Knight trilogy, a role that earned him love and praise from both critics and audiences.
19 Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway had her breakthrough role in The Princess Diaries, which later led to a series of family films like Ella Enchanted. Her first adult film role was in Brokeback Mountain, where she earned her way and made it to Rachel Getting Married, which earned her, her first Academy Award nomination. Hathaway finally won a well-deserved Oscar for her performance in Les Misérables, a role for which she cut all of her hair.
18 Leonardo DiCaprio
There’s a reason that Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the world’s highest-paid actors, and it’s not his good looks. At a young age, DiCaprio had already been recognized for his talents, receiving his first Academy Award nomination for his performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. He went on to achieve stardom through Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. In more recent years, DiCaprio has proven himself more than just a heartthrob through films like The Revenant.
17 Joaquin Phoenix
This well-known method actor goes to some deep extremes in order to get into his character. Known for his roles in Gladiator, Her, and Joker, Joaquin Phoenix began his career alongside his brother River back in the 80s and earned critical acclaim in To Die For. He has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including several Academy Awards for Best Actor. Whether you agree with his method of acting or not, you cannot deny the natural talent he possesses on-screen.
16 Morgan Freeman
Known for his distinct deep voice, which has landed him a number of narrating gigs over the years, Morgan Freeman is the most recognizable actor of our time. Starring in several now-classic roles, including Lean on Me, Driving Miss Daisy, The Bucket List, and The Dark Knight Trilogy, Freeman has no shortage of phenomenal roles under his belt. Despite his age, he still continues to work, most recently starring in Coming 2 America.
15 Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L Jackson is arguably one of the most recognizable names in all of Hollywood. Known for his work in films like Pulp Fiction, Juice, and Jackie Brown, Jackson is one of the greatest actors of our generation. As the second-highest-grossing actor of all time, Jackson’s choice of films has long been neglected by the Academy. In 2022, he was awarded an Academy Honorary Award for his work as he has become a cultural icon.
14 Kate Winslet
This English actress went relatively unknown in America until she starred in James Cameron’s epic Titanic. Kate Winslet is most known for period pieces like Sense & Sensibility and Quills, but was cast against type in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Winslet continues to shock us all with her talent, most recently in the TV series I Am Ruth. She is more than deserving of being called one of the greatest actors of our generation.
13 Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer broke new ground after scoring two consecutive Academy Award nominations, becoming the first Black woman to do so. After a decade of small roles, Spencer finally got well-deserved recognition for her award-winning performance in The Help. Spencer has only added to her reputation by bringing outstanding performances in films like The Shape of Water.
12 Tom Hanks
Known for conquering both dramatic and comedic roles, Tom Hanks has a long history of phenomenal performances, including A League of Their Own, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump and Cast Away. Hanks has received a number of honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Legion of Honor, and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. Needless to say, Hanks has become a cultural icon thanks to his work.
