Top 50 Most Popular British Actors Of All Time
British actors have always held a special place in the hearts of audiences and fans. It could be their sense of humor, sarcasm, lovable accent, old-school manners, etc.
I guess the list would be endless if we sat down to mention everything. The fact that most British actors begin their careers with theater plays and West End performances gives them an advantage over other actors.
It makes them more nuanced in their roles and more daring to experiment. Either way, it is always a treat to watch a seasoned British actor work his magic on a script.
While many heavyweights in Hollywood have come from England, I have been very selective with this list. People like Cary Grant, John Hurt, Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Stephan Fry, Michael Gambon, etc., have not been included despite their great performances.
I have tried to keep the list as current as possible. I have included only two actors who have expired as their contribution was too big to ignore.
Without any more delay, let me begin with my pick of the most popular English actors. I hope you agree with my choices, but feel free to leave a comment to share your views.
Recommended:
1. Henry Cavill
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 5, 1983 |
Place of Birth | Saint Helier, Jersey, England, UK |
Height | 1.85 m |
Debut year | 2001 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Laguna |
Henry Cavill is a name that inspires a sense of justice as he is Clark Kent/ Superman. He portrayed the DCEU superhero in Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, etc.
Henry Cavill is famous for other fabulous roles in the TV series The Tudors as Charles Brando, The Witcher as Geralt of Rivia, etc.
He worked in the films The Man From U. N. C. L. E, Enola Holmes, and Mission Impossible: Fallout. Immortals, Stardust, etc.
Recommended:
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | July 19, 1976 |
Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.83 m |
Debut year | 2002 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Fields of Gold |
Benedict Cumberbatch has had a good year with great films and successful franchises. The latest installment of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness was released this year.
He was also nominated for his role in Power of the Dog for an Oscar. Cumberbatch’s other nominated films and hit movies include Imitation Game, the Hobbit trilogy, Avengers franchise, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Star Trek: Into The Darkness, 12 Years A Slave, The Fifth Estate, Dunkirk, etc.
He also worked in the TV series, Parade’s End, The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, Brexit: The Uncivil War, Sherlock, etc.
Recommended:
3. Daniel Kaluuya
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | February 24, 1989 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 174 m |
Debut year | 2006 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Shoot the Messenger |
Daniel Kaluuya has a rich collection of stage performances that have won him accolades. On the stage, Kaluuya performed in Sucker Punch and earned an Evening Standard Award and Critics’ Circle Theatre Award.
He also worked in TV series like Skins, Psychoville, The Fades, etc. His film repertoire is equally good with Johnny English Reborn, Kick-Ass 2, Sicario, Get Out, Black Panther, Widows, Queen & Slim, etc.
He won the Academy Award for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah.
Recommended:
4. Alan Rickman
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | February 21, 1946 |
Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, UK |
Height | 1.85 m |
Debut year | 1978 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Romeo and Juliet |
Alan Rickman was a great actor with a vast canon of work in film, television, and theater. He began working in Birmingham Repertory theater in 1976 with Sherlock Holmes and participated in several stage productions of Shakespeare.
He moved to TV in 1978, and his silver screen debut occurred in 1988 with his iconic role as Hans Gruber in Die Hard.
He gave life to many great characters like Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise, Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Truly Madly Deeply, Michael Collins, An Awfully Big Adventure, Galaxy Quest, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, etc.
5. Anthony Hopkins
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 31, 1937 |
Place of Birth | Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales, UK |
Height | 1.75 m |
Debut year | 1960 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | A Matter of Degree |
Anthony Hopkins is a name that reminds us of the cannibalistic Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs. To some people, he represents the great Asgardian god Odin.
Whichever name we select Anthony Hopkins’s performance has made the character believable and weighty.
Sir Hopkins has also performed in The Remains of the Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Elephant Man, The Silence of the Lambs, Howards End, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Shadowlands, Legends of the Fall, Meet Joe Black, The Mask of Zorro, the Thor franchise, etc.
Sir Anthony Hopkins has won two Academy Awards, four BAFTAs, a Laurence Olivier award, etc.
6. Colin Firth
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 10, 1960 |
Place of Birth | Grayshott, Hampshire, England |
Height | 1.87 m |
Debut year | 1984 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Crown Court |
Colin Firth is an award-winning and highly respected British actor. His performance in The King’s Speech, A Single Man, was nominated for Academy Awards, and he won the award for the former.
Firth was noticed and applauded for his role as Mr. Darcy in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
After that, he worked in The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Importance of Being Earnest, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Love Actually, Mamma Mia, its sequel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Kingsman: The Secret Service, its sequel, 1917, etc.
7. Daniel Day-Lewis
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 29, 1957 |
Place of Birth | Greenwich, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.87 m |
Debut year | 1971 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Sunday Bloody Sunday |
Daniel Day-Lewis is a reclusive British actor who has taken semi-retirement after his Oscar-nominated roles in Lincoln, The Phantom Thread, etc.
He left behind a legacy of great performances and a record number of Oscar wins for a male actor. He won these awards for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln.
Day-Lewis gained fame for his early performances in My beautiful Laundrette, A Room With a View, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Crucible, The Age of Innocence, The Last of the Mohicans, The Boxer, etc.
8. Christian Bale
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | January 30, 1974 |
Place of Birth | Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK |
Height | 1.83 m |
Debut year | 1986 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna |
Christian Bale is a highly talented and appreciated actor of his generation. His recent movies that were nominated for Academy Awards include Vice, Ford vs Ferrari, The Fighter, American Hustle, The Machinist, American Psycho, etc.
He has also won the award for the Fighter. He began his career at a young age and gained fame for his portrayal in Steven Spielberg’s Children of the Sun.
He also worked in The Newsies, Reign of Fire, the Dark Knight trilogy, Public Enemies, Out of the Furnace, Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Equilibrium, etc.
9. Kenneth Branagh
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 10, 1960 |
Place of Birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK |
Height | 1.77 m |
Debut year | 1981 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Chariots of Fire |
Kenneth Branagh is an actor, director, writer, and producer. He is known for his Shakespearean work and literary adaptations.
As a writer and director, Branagh’s work includes Henry V, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour Lost, Swan Song, Hamlet, Murder On The Orient Express, etc.
As an actor, Branagh worked in Conspiracy, Valkyrie, My Week With Marilyn, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dunkirk, Tenet, Murder On the Orient Express, Death On The Nile, The Road to El Dorado, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, etc.
10. Eddie Redmayne
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | January 6, 1982 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.81 m |
Debut year | 1998 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Animal Ark |
Eddie Redmayne is a talented British actor with an Academy Award, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, two Laurence Olivier Awards, etc.
He debuted with Wet End plays and auditioned for TV and film roles. He appeared in films like The Good Shepherd, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Like Minds, etc.
Redmayne gained prominence with a role in My Week with Marilyn, Les Misérables, The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, its sequels, The Trial of Chicago 7, etc.
11. Gary Oldman
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | March 21, 1958 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.74 m |
Debut year | 1982 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Remembrance |
Gary Oldman is a versatile actor with a long career in film and stage. He often picks characters with intense and difficult emotions and portrays them with finesse.
He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three BAFTAs, apart from various other accolades.
Some of Gary Oldman’s memorable works are Sid and Nancy, State of Grace, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, JFK, Air Force One, the Harry Potter series, The Dark Knight trilogy, Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Mank, Dawn of the Planet of The Apes, etc.
12. Hugh Laurie
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 11, 1959 |
Place of Birth | Blackbird Leys, Oxfordshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.88 m |
Debut year | 1981 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Cellar Tapes |
Hugh Laurie is internationally famous as Dr. House from the TV series House. However, the role that brought him to the limelight was the sketch-comedy show, A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
He also worked with him in PG Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster. Laurie continued his work in comedy with Blackadder, 101 Dalmatians, Stuart Little, The Borrowers, Veep, Catch-22, Avenue 5, etc.
He also worked in dramatic roles in The Night Manager, Roadkill, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans, etc.
13. Idris Elba
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 6, 1972 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.89 m |
Debut year | 1994 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | 2point4 Children |
Idris Elba started his showbiz career being a rapper and a DJ. He successfully worked in pubs and DJ nights, but he wanted more.
Elba made his acting debut with a small role in the TV series 2point4 Children. The role that brought him recognition was in HBO’s The Wire in 2002.
Idris Elba went on star in other hit TV series like Luther, The Office (US version), etc.
He also appeared in films like Daddy’s Little Girls, the Thor franchise, the Avengers franchise, Prometheus, Pacific Rim, Beasts of No Nation, Molly’s Game, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, The Suicide Squad, etc.
14. Robert Pattinson
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 13, 1986 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.85 m |
Debut year | 2004 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Ring of the Nibelungs |
Robert Pattinson rose to fame as Cedric Diggory in The Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Though the role was short, the film created a strong fan base for him.
Later, his role as the vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight films made him an instant teen sensation. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
Despite his big-budget films, Pattinson enjoys working with auteur directors and independent films. He appeared in films like Water for The Elephants, Cosmopolis, The Lost City of Z, Remember Me, Good Time, The Lighthouse, etc.
He came back to big studio productions with Nolan’s Tenet and Matt Reeves’ Batman.
15. Ian McKellen
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 25, 1939 |
Place of Birth | Burnley, Lancashire, England |
Height | 1.8 m |
Debut year | 1964 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling |
Sir Ian McKellen has been appointed the Companion of Honours and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
He built an envious career in theatre and television. He won seven Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a SAG Award, etc.
He has many more nominations. The most notable performances of Ian McKellen have been as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit trilogy, as Eric Letscher/ Magneto in the X-Men franchise, Professor Teabing in The DaVinci Code, Gods and Monsters, Richard III, etc.
16. John Cleese
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 27, 1939 |
Place of Birth | Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK |
Height | 1.96 m |
Debut year | 1967 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | At Last the 1948 Show |
John Cleese is a very important figure in British comedy circuits. He is an actor, screenwriter, and producer. While working in Off-Broadway shows, he met his first wife, Connie Booth, and they collaborated to create the greatest comedy series in the UK, Fawlty Towers.
Later, he formed the Monty Python comedy troupe with Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Graham Chapman.
They made comedy sketches, movies, and more. Solo projects Cleese include A Fish Named Wanda, the Shrek franchise, Fierce Creatures, Time Bandits, Silverado, Rat Race, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, etc.
17. Jeremy Irons
Jeremy Irons is a distinguished English actor with a career spanning over five decades. Known for his rich and versatile performances, Irons has left an indelible mark in film, television, and theater.
He gained international acclaim for his role in “Brideshead Revisited”, but it was his portrayal of accused murderers in “Reversal of Fortune” that earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Irons’ filmography includes diverse roles in films such as “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”, “Dead Ringers”, and Disney’s “The Lion King”, where he provided the voice for Scar.
In addition to his successful film career, Irons has been a respected figure in the theater, tackling challenging roles in Shakespearean plays. His distinctive voice and compelling presence contribute to his enduring status as one of the industry’s esteemed actors.
18. Andy Serkis
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 20, 1964 |
Place of Birth | Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, England, UK |
Height | 1.73 m |
Debut year | 1989 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Morris Minor and His Marvellous Motor |
Andy Serkis is an actor, voice actor, director, and producer. He is known for his role in the Lord of the Rings franchise and the Hobbit franchise as Smeagol/Gollum.
He also helped flesh out many more CGI characters like King Kong, Caesar in Planet of the Apes and its sequels, Captain Haddock /Sir Francis Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin, Supreme Commander Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, etc.
Apart from these, Serkis also acted in regular films Lille Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Panther, Batman, etc.
He directed the films Breathe, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Mowgli: Legend of The Jungle, etc.
19. James McAvoy
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 21, 1979 |
Place of Birth | Glasgow, Scotland, UK |
Height | 1.75 m |
Debut year | 1995 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Near Room |
James McAvoy is a Scottish actor who became famous for his role as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, The Wardrobe.
He started his career with West End and worked in TV series like the State of Play, Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune, etc.
McAvoy gained critical acclaim for his role in The Last King of Scotland. He played Kevin MacDonald and earned a BAFTA nomination for it.
His other nominated roles include Atonement, Split Glass, the X-Men prequel franchise, Wanted, and more.
20. Jude Law
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 29, 1972 |
Place of Birth | Lewisham, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.78 m |
Debut year | 1988 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Ragged Child |
Jude Law is an accomplished British actor with a BAFTA award and multiple nominations at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and more.
He gained prominence with his role in Gattaca and followed it up with The Talented Mr. Ripley. He earned an Oscar nomination for the latter.
Jude Law played the young Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts series. His film credits include Enemy At The Gate, Road To Perdition, Sleuth, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Alfie, The Holiday, Spy, Rise of The Guardians, etc.
21. Rowan Atkinson
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | January 6, 1955 |
Place of Birth | Consett, County Durham, England, UK |
Height | 1.81 m |
Debut year | 1979 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Canned Laughter |
Rowan Atkinson is a comedian, and sketch comedy actor. He started doing sketch comedy shows on BBC with Not the Nine O’Clock News and built a steady fan base.
While he was introduced to the international audience with Mr. Bean, Atkinson was already familiar to the British audience with his series Blackadder.
Apart from Bean and Blackadder, he also worked in Johnny English, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Lion King, Love Actually, The Thin Blue Line, Maigret, etc.
Atkinson also worked on stage in his sketch comedy shows and won an Olivier Award for Rowan Atkinson in Revue.
22. Daniel Craig
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | March 2, 1968 |
Place of Birth | Chester, Cheshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.78 m |
Debut year | 1992 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Power of One |
Daniel Craig is the current James Bond and has starred in a total of five Bond films.
Craig also started work with theater performances and debuted on TV shows, including Our Friends In The North, A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, etc.
He started work in film with Elizabeth. He went on to work in Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider, Layer Cake, Munich, Road to Perdition, The Golden Compass, Defiance, Cowboys & Aliens, Girl in The Dragon Tattoo, Logan Lucky, Knives Out, etc.
He also worked in the sequel to Knives Out.
23. Dev Patel
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 23, 1990 |
Place of Birth | Harrow, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.88 m |
Debut year | 2007 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Skins: Secret Party |
Dev Patel, a British actor of Indian descent, experienced a remarkable rise to fame. Patel’s breakthrough came with his debut film role as Jamal Malik in the critically acclaimed movie “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008).
His portrayal of a young man from the slums of Mumbai captured hearts worldwide, earning him widespread recognition and numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Patel’s talent and charm propelled him to further success, with notable roles in films such as “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011), “Lion” (2016), and “Hotel Mumbai” (2018).
He continued to impress audiences and critics alike, showcasing his range and versatility. Patel’s rise to fame serves as a testament to his talent, hard work, and ability to connect with audiences.
24. Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Stewart is an iconic English actor whose distinguished career spans stage, screen, and television. He rose to prominence for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, a role that became synonymous with his name. Stewart’s commanding presence and skilled acting earned him acclaim and a devoted fanbase.
Beyond “Star Trek,” Stewart has delivered compelling performances in various genres. Notable film roles include Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” film series and iconic characters in Shakespearean adaptations like “Macbeth” and “Hamlet.”
In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Stewart was knighted in 2010. His enduring talent, versatility, and commitment to his craft have solidified Sir Patrick Stewart as a respected and beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
25. Sean Connery
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | August 25, 1930 |
Place of Birth | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK |
Height | 1.88 m |
Debut year | 1964 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Let’s Make-Up |
Sir Sean Connery is the first actor who played the inimitable MI6 agent, James Bond. He worked in seven James Bond films before he quit the series to work in other films.
After Bond films, he worked with other noted directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet, John Huston, etc.
His acting credits include Marnie, The Hill, Murder on the Orient Express, The Man Who Would Be King, A Bridge Too Far, The Name of the Rose, The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusades, The Hunt For the Red October, The Rock, Finding Forrester, etc.
26. Ben Kingsley
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 31, 1943 |
Place of Birth | Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.72 m |
Debut year | 1966 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Pardon the Expression |
Sir Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji, but he changed his name after facing rejection based on his ethnicity.
It worked out for Kingsley as he went on to win an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Ben Kingsley’s most famous role has been in Gandhi, following it up with Schindler’s List, Twelfth Night, Sexy Beast, House of Sand and Fog, Thunderbirds, Lucky Number Slevin, Shutter Island, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Hugo, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, etc.
27. Ben Barnes
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | August 20, 1981 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.85 m |
Debut year | 2005 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Kooks: The Sofa Song |
Ben Barnes is an English actor who has made a significant impact in both film and television. Barnes rose to prominence with his portrayal of Prince Caspian in “The Chronicles of Narnia” film series.
This breakthrough role established him as a charismatic leading man. Barnes further showcased his talent in movies like “Dorian Gray” (2009) and “The Words” (2012).
In television, he gained recognition for his role as Billy Russo/Jigsaw in the Marvel series “The Punisher.” He also portrays General Kirigan in the Netflix series, Shadow and Bone.
Barnes’s career also encompasses stage performances, including his portrayal of the title character in the West End production of “The History Boys.”
With his charm, versatility, and magnetic screen presence, Barnes continues to captivate audiences with his compelling performances.
28. Hugh Grant
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 9, 1960 |
Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.8 m |
Debut year | 1982 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Privileged |
Hugh Grant is known for his romantic comedies and very British mannerisms. He debuted with Merchant-Ivory films like Maurice, The Remains of the Day, etc.
He worked in Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility, Restoration, etc. In 1994, Grant found his groove with romantic comedies with Four Weddings and a Funeral.
He followed it up with Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, About a Boy, Two Weeks Notice, Love Actually, Music and Lyrics, Cloud Atlas, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Man from U. N. C. L. E., The Gentlemen, etc.
29. Tom Hiddleston
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | February 9, 1981 |
Place of Birth | Westminster, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.87 m |
Debut year | 2001 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby |
Tom Hiddleston has gained international acclaim for his role as Loki in the Thor franchise and the Avengers film series.
As with every other British actor, Hiddleston’s career began with theater and Shakespearean plays. He also won the Olivier Award for his play Cymbeline.
Tom Hiddleston appeared in I Saw The Light, Kong: Skull Island, The Deep Blue Sea, Only Lovers Left Alive, Crimson Peak, War Horse, Midnight In Paris, Archipelago, High Rise, Night Manager, Coriolanus, The Hollow Crown, The Deep Blue Sea, Wallander, Suburban Shootout, etc.
His solo show Loki, in which his character Loki was subtly displayed and made the main character for the first time as the protagonist, won him a lot of fans.
30. Ralph Fiennes
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 22, 1962 |
Place of Birth | Ipswich, Suffolk, England, UK |
Height | 1.8 m |
Debut year | 1991 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Prime Suspect |
Ralph Fiennes is a celebrated British actor who has worked in many critically acclaimed and award-winning films. He is most famous for his role as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Fiennes gained prominence for his portrayal in Wuthering Heights, Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and The Constant Gardener.
He also acted in The End of the Affair, Red Dragon, Maid in Manhattan, In Bruges, Clash of the Titans, Great Expectations, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The King’s Man, Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die, etc.
31. Sacha Baron Cohen
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 13, 1971 |
Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.91 m |
Debut year | 1995 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Jack and Jeremy’s Police 4 |
Sacha Baron Cohen is a satirist, comedian, and actor with a knack for creating characters that are often controversial.
He created personas like Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Admiral General Aladeen, Bruno Gehard, etc., for his comedy movies.
Apart from comedies, Sacha Baron Cohen worked in dramatic roles in films like Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Hugo, Les Misérables, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Alice Through the Looking Glass, etc.
32. Tom Hardy
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 15, 1977 |
Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.75 m |
Debut year | 2001 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Tommaso |
Tom Hardy started as a model when he won the modeling contract with Model One Agency. Later he turned his sights toward acting and drama.
He worked in Black Hawk Down, Band of Brothers, Star Trek Nemesis, Marie Antoinette, RocknRolla, Bronson, etc. Hardy rose to international prominence with his role as Bane in Dark Knight Rises, Inception, This Means War, Lawless, Mad Max Fury Road, etc.
In 2015, he appeared in the Oscar-nominated film The Revenant. He followed it up with Venom, Dunkirk, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Peaky Blinders, etc.
33. Hugo Weaving
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 4, 1960 |
Place of Birth | Ibadan, Nigeria |
Height | 1.9 m |
Debut year | 1980 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | …Maybe This Time |
Hugo Wallace Weaving is an English actor who was born in colonial Nigeria and grew up in Australia. He came to prominence with his role as Douglas Jardin in the cricket movie Bodyline about Don Bradman.
However, the roles that shot his fame into the sky came in 1999. In 1999, Weaving was cast as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy.
During the same period, he also portrayed the Tolkein elf, Elrond, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He reprised the role in the Hobbit trilogy in 2014.
Weaving worked on other hits like Priscilla: The Queen of the Desert, V for Vendetta, Captain America: The First Avenger, etc.
34. Ewan McGregor
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | March 31, 1971 |
Place of Birth | Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, UK |
Height | 1.77 m |
Debut year | 1993 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Lipstick on Your Collar |
Ewan McGregor is a Scottish actor who came to prominence with his performance in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting. In 1999, he was cast as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
The role was a huge success, and he followed it up with the Oscar-nominated Moulin Rouge in 2001.
McGregor appeared in several successful and acclaimed films, including Robots, Big Fish, Doctor Sleep, Beauty and The Beast, The Ghost Writer, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Black Mass, Christopher Robin, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fargo, etc.
35. Sam Claflin
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 27, 1986 |
Place of Birth | Ipswich, Suffolk, England, UK |
Height | 1.80 m |
Debut year | 2010 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Pillars of the Earth |
Sam Claflin is a British actor known for his notable performances in both film and television.
Claflin began his acting career in 2010 with his breakthrough role as Philip Swift in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
He gained further recognition for his portrayal of Finnick Odair in the popular “Hunger Games” film series.
Claflin’s talent and versatility have led him to take on diverse roles in films such as “Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012), “Me Before You” (2016), and “Adrift” (2018).
His performances showcase his ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following.
Claflin’s career continues to thrive as he takes on new and challenging roles, establishing himself as a talented and respected actor in the industry.
36. Simon Pegg
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | February 14, 1970 |
Place of Birth | Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, UK |
Height | 1.78 m |
Debut year | 1995 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Six Pairs of Pants |
Simon Pegg is a British comedian, actor, and screenwriter. He worked in many memorable roles as an actor and screenwriter.
He also did voice acting in the Ice-Age franchise as the slightly wonky Buck. He starred in the Mission Impossible series as Benji Dunn and the Star Trek franchise as Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott, the chief engineer.
Simon Pegg worked as an actor and writer in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek Beyond, The World’s End, Paul, Run Fatboy Run!, etc.
37. Riz Ahmed
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 1, 1982 |
Place of Birth | Wembley, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.73 m |
Debut year | 2005 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Got Soul |
Riz Ahmed is a British Pakistani actor. He is also a musician and rapper. He portrayed a drummer who loses his sense of hearing in the film Sound of Metal.
The role received an Oscar nomination in 2021. In 2022, he won the Oscar for his live-action short film, A Long Goodbye.
Riz Ahmed has worked in other successful films like Venom, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Jason Bourne, The Night Of., Nightcrawler, Four Lions, Ill Manors, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Trishna, Britz, Dead Set, etc.
38. Jamie Dornan
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 1, 1982 |
Place of Birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK |
Height | 1.8 m |
Debut year | 2006 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Marie Antoinette |
Jamie Dornan gained fame as a model with his campaigns for Hugo Boss, Dior Homme, and Calvin Klein. He was ranked among the 25 biggest male models of all time by Vogue.
Later, he transitioned to films and acting with his debut in Marie Antoinette. He worked on the ABC fantasy drama, Once Upon A Time, The Fall, etc.
He got his biggest break with the 50 Shades trilogy, where he played Christian Grey. His critically acclaimed films are Anthropoid, The Siege of Jadotville, A Private War, Belfast, etc.
Jamie Dornan was boosted to fame after starring in Fifty Shades. Even after giving other great performances in other projects, he is still known for his role as Christian Grey to this day.
39. Michael Caine
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | March 14, 1933 |
Place of Birth | Rotherhithe, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.88 m |
Debut year | 1946 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Morning Departure |
Sir Michael Caine is an iconic British actor with a career of over seven decades and 160 movies to his credit.
Caine has won two Academy Awards along with multiple Golden Globes, BAFTA, and SAG Awards. He is one of the five actors to have an Academy Award nomination in each of the five decades.
It is difficult to list all of the best performances of Sir Michael Caine, but here are a few: Zulu, Alfie, The Italian Job, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Dressed to Kill, Educating Rita, Hannah And Her Sisters, Secondhand Lions, The Cider House Rules, The Quiet American, Quills, the Dark Knight trilogy, etc.
40. Tom Holland
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 1, 1996 |
Place of Birth | Kingston upon Thames, England, UK |
Height | 1.73 m |
Debut year | 2010 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Secret World of Arrietty |
Tom Holland enrolled in ballet classes, and his teacher encouraged him to audition for a part in Billy Elliot: The Musical.
He played the part on stage till 2010. This role solidified his love for acting. He went to work in films like The Impossible, In The Heart of The Sea, How I Live Now, etc.
In 2016, Holland’s career took a turn when he was cast as Spider-Man in MCU’s Captain America: Civil War.
He continued to play Spider-Man in a total of five movies, thus breaking Tobey Maguire’s record. After Marvel, Holland worked in Chaos Walking, The Devil All The Time, Cherry, Uncharted, etc.
41. Daniel Radcliffe
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | July 23, 1989 |
Place of Birth | London, U K |
Height | 1.65 m |
Debut year | 1999 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | David Copperfield |
Daniel Radcliffe was the kid who played Harry Potter. Although the Harry Potter series ended, he is still known for the role he played.
After the series, Radcliffe worked in many independent and small-budget movies too.
His most famous roles were in Horns, The List City, Guns Akimbo, Jungle, Swiss Army Man, Kill Your Darlings, Escape From Pretoria, Miracle Workers, The Woman in Black, Extras, A Young Doctor’s Notebook & Other Stories, etc.
42. Ricky Gervais
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 25, 1961 |
Place of Birth | Whitley, Reading, Berkshire, UK |
Height | 1.73 m |
Debut year | 1998 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The 11 O’Clock Show |
Ricky Gervais is an internationally renowned comedian, filmmaker, and actor. He stirred the pot as the host of the Golden Globes award ceremony for five years with his satirical take on Hollywood.
While it ruffled a few feathers, the audience loved his barbs. Apart from hosting stand-up comedy shows, Gervais acted and created shows like The Office, Extras, Life’s too Short, Afterlife, The Ricky Gervais Show, etc.
He also starred in Stardust, The Invention of Lying, Ghost Town, Night at the Museum, its sequel, Special Correspondents, etc.
He has a unique way of delivering jokes and a very sarcastic personality. And his fans love him for that.
He is unapologetic and does not care about offending anyone with his words.
43. Martin Freeman
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 8, 1971 |
Place of Birth | Aldershot, England, UK |
Height | 1.7 m |
Debut year | 1997 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Bill |
Martin Freeman is another Tolkien actor who worked in The Hobbit trilogy. He portrayed Bilbo Baggins, the eponymous hobbit.
He is also famous for his role in the TV series Sherlock, in which he portrayed Dr. Watson. Martin Freeman caught the fancy of the world with other roles in Avengers: Civil War and Black Panther as the British agent.
He also acted in the TV series Fargo, The Office (UK version), a Hitchhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy, The responders, Shaun of the Dead, The Responders, Ali G, Inda House, etc.
44. Sean Bean
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | April 17, 1959 |
Place of Birth | Handsworth, Sheffield, U K |
Height | 1.79 m |
Debut year | 1984 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Bill |
Sean Bean has worked in multiple franchises as ill-fated characters. He worked in The Lord of The Rings as Boromir who dies at the end of the first film.
He worked in Game of Thrones as Need Stark, the patriarch of the Stark family, but he is killed early in the show.
Bean’s other notable performances were in Troy, Sharpe, Silent Hill, Snowpiercer, National Treasure, Patriot Games, The Martian, Goldeneye, Curfew, World on Fire, Medici, Black Death, Time, Wolf Walker, Hitman 3, The Oath, Hitman 2, etc.
45. Orlando Bloom
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | January 13, 1977 |
Place of Birth | Canterbury, England, UK |
Height | 1.8 m |
Debut year | 1994 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Casualty |
Orlando Bloom immediately reminds us of Tolkien’s elf, Legolas, from the Lord of the Rings series. He was back as Legolas in The Hobbit trilogy as well.
His other memorable role was in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as Will Turner. Apart from these franchises, Bloom was cast in the Kingdom of Heaven as the Templar Knight, Balian of Ibelin, Troy as Prince Paris, Carnival Row, The Outpost, etc.
He also worked in TV series like Extras, The Good Doctor, Midsomer Murders, The Prince, Needle in The Timestack, etc.
46. Jason Statham
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | July 26, 1967 |
Place of Birth | Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.78 m |
Debut year | 1998 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels |
Jason Statham is an action star, who is trained in Karate, Chinese martial arts, and kickboxing from a young age.
He is also a champion diver and footballer. Statham represented England in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 with the diving team.
After that, he was offered a modeling contract to model for French Connection, Tommy Hilfiger, and Levi’s. Statham debuted in films with Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and two Smoking Barrels.
He also starred in other films like the Transporter series, The Bank Job, The Italian Job, Spy, the Expendables series, Hobbs & Shaw, 13, Crank, The Mechanic, etc.
47. Paul Bettany
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 27, 1971 |
Place of Birth | Harlesden, London, England, UK |
Height | 1.91 m |
Debut year | 1994 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Wycliffe |
Paul Bettany shot to fame by voicing J. A. R. V. I. S. and Vision in MCU’s Iron Man and Avengers film franchises.
He has worked in varied roles in comedies, suspense, period dramas, sci-fi films, and more.
His acting credits include A Knight’s Tale, The Tourist, Wimbledon, The DaVinci Code, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Creation, Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World, Gangster No.1, WandaVision, etc.
Follow more of his work in The Harvest Moon and The Collaboration. Paul is known for his sarcastic humor and his sweet but straightforward way of talking.
48. Kit Harington
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 26, 1986 |
Place of Birth | London, England, UK |
Height | 1.73 m |
Debut year | 2012 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Silent Hill: Revelation |
Christopher Catesby Kit Harington is the son of Deborah Jane Catesby and Sir David Harington, the 15th Baronet of Ridlington.
He began acting in theatre plays and West End roles. He appeared in TV movies and series in supporting roles.
He had his breakthrough when he was cast as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. His other major roles were in How To Train Your Dragon, Gunpowder, Testament of Youth, Pompeii, MCU’s Eternals, etc. Kit Harrington married Rose Leslie, whom he met on the set of Game of Thrones.
49. Jim Broadbent
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 24, 1949 |
Place of Birth | Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.88 m |
Debut year | 1971 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | The Go-Between |
Jim Broadbent is an acclaimed comedy actor etched in our memory as Horace Slughorn in the Harry Potter franchise.
He also worked in many dramatic roles and won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA, and has multiple nominations for BAFTA, Primetime Emmys, SAG awards, and more.
The British audience knew him from the early 80s for his role in Only Fools and Horses.
He also starred in Time Bandits, Life is Sweet, The Borrowers, Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Gathering Storm, Hot Fuzz, Another Year, The Iron Lady, Arthur Christmas, Cloud Atlas, Brooklyn, etc.
50. Nicholas Hoult
Entity | Detail |
---|---|
Date of Birth | December 7, 1989 |
Place of Birth | Wokingham, Berkshire, England, UK |
Height | 1.89 m |
Debut year | 1996 |
Debut Movie/ TV series | Intimate Relations |
Nicholas Hoult is an actor who is famous for his role as Hank McCoy in the X-Men franchise. He has been nominated for multiple awards, including BAFTAs, Golden Globes, SAG awards, etc.
Hoult debuted as a child actor and appeared in several TV series, including the film About a Boy, Holby City, Murder in Mind, Silent Witness, etc.
Some important roles of Hoult include Skins, Wallander, the X-Men series, Clash of Titans, A Single Man, Tolkien, The Great, Those Who Wish Me Dead, etc.