Top 40 Most Popular Method Actors Of All Time

Daniel Day-Lewis began his acting journey with an uncredited role as a child vandal in the 1971 film Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Today, he is celebrated as one of the most dedicated and esteemed actors in film history, known for completely immersing himself in every role.

Having moved from Kensington to Greenwich as a child, Day-Lewis was often teased for his accent and refined manners, prompting him to mimic his peers to fit in. He would later refer to this effort as his earliest foray into acting.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Method acting have become synonymous over the years, as he embraced the technique with natural ease and intensity.

For example, while filming The Ballad of Jack and Rose, he distanced himself from his wife to fully experience isolation. During the production of My Left Foot, where he portrayed a man with cerebral palsy, he insisted on being carried and spoon-fed by crew members to maintain authenticity.

Before conquering the big screen, Day-Lewis honed his craft with notable stage performances at the National Youth Theatre, laying a solid foundation for his remarkable film career.

Renowned for his work in films such as There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, In the Name of the Father, and Phantom Thread, Day-Lewis remains the only actor to have won the Academy Award for Best Actor three times.

Few actors can boast a career as versatile and acclaimed as Leonardo DiCaprio. While he finally secured an Academy Award for his intense performance as Hugh Glass in The Revenant, DiCaprio faced extraordinary challenges to deliver such authenticity.

A committed vegetarian, DiCaprio went to great lengths for his craft—eating raw bison and even sleeping inside an animal carcass to bring realism to his role.

Additionally, he braved freezing conditions on set, further immersing himself in the harsh environment of the frontier to breathe life into his unforgettable character.

Heath Ledger, the acclaimed Australian actor, is celebrated for his remarkable roles in films like Brokeback Mountain and The Patriot. His unique talent and screen presence left an indelible mark on cinema.

Ledger achieved legendary status for his unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. This role truly made him a permanent fixture in cinematic history.

His masterful and intense performance turned the Joker into one of the most iconic villains of the 21st century. Reportedly, Ledger's dedication to the role led to a significant increase in his struggles with insomnia during preparation.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an extraordinary actor known for infusing his roles with authenticity and depth, often drawing on his personal memories and life experiences to deliver truly original performances.

Throughout his career, he portrayed numerous real-life figures, relying on his keen technical skill and subtle nuances to bring each character to life in a compelling way.

Hoffman's remarkable talent shines through in acclaimed films like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Capote, Synecdoche, New York, and The Master, which are widely regarded as some of his finest work.

Jack Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Hollywood history, and his dedication to Method acting is a testament to his craft.

Known for his instinctive and spontaneous performances, Nicholson still devoted extensive time to studying his characters, focusing on Strasberg’s concept of psychological "polarities."

It’s been reported that while filming The Shining, Nicholson became so immersed in his role that he could only sleep during drives to and from the set.

In a remarkable display of commitment, he ate only cheese sandwiches for two weeks because he disliked them so intensely, believing the discomfort would help deepen his portrayal.

Additionally, Nicholson reportedly spent significant time in a hospital while shooting One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to better understand his character’s experience.

Fans of Christian Bale's film career know that he rarely gives interviews unless he's promoting the release of a new movie.

One particularly intriguing aspect of his process is Bale's habit of adopting his character's accent during interviews, a testament to his commitment to each role.

Recognized as an outstanding screen performer, Bale famously risked his health by surviving on only an apple and a can of tuna a day to portray the emaciated protagonist in The Machinist.

Soon after, he underwent an incredible transformation, rapidly gaining muscle to play Batman in 2005's Batman Begins.

An esteemed actor decorated with an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, Bale has delivered acclaimed performances in films such as American Hustle, American Psycho, The Prestige, Ford v Ferrari, and The Dark Knight trilogy.

Sean Penn is renowned for his intense commitment to authenticity, earning him a reputation for being challenging on set due to his immersive approach to acting.

Writer Cameron Crowe once revealed that Penn, early in his career, insisted on being addressed by his character’s name while filming Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a practice that helped him stay fully in character even off camera.

This dedication to method acting was further demonstrated when actor John Leguizamo recounted that Penn actually slapped him during the filming of Casualties of War, a moment that reflected Penn’s deep absorption in his role.

Joaquin Phoenix stands out as one of the most acclaimed and dedicated actors of the past forty years. His profound commitment to his craft has earned him a reputation as a master of Method acting.

Phoenix is renowned for immersing himself completely into each role he undertakes. For example, in "Walk the Line," he not only learned to play the guitar but also refined his singing abilities to authentically portray Johnny Cash.

His remarkable transformation for the film "Joker" in 2019 left audiences and critics alike in awe. Phoenix lost 52 pounds for the role and endured significant personal challenges to deliver a powerful performance.

His dedication was ultimately recognized when he received the Academy Award for Best Actor the following year, honoring his unforgettable portrayal of the iconic character in "Joker."

Tom Hanks is widely regarded as one of the most cherished actors in film history. Renowned for his dedication to authenticity, Hanks famously gained and lost over 50 pounds for his performance in Cast Away, ensuring his physical transformation matched his character's journey.

In pursuit of realism, Hanks also avoided cutting his hair and refrained from bathing for several days while preparing for the role. This extreme commitment even resulted in him developing a staph infection—an uncommon but telling testament to his devotion.

Additionally, during the filming of The Green Mile, Hanks remained in character as prison guard Paul Edgecomb even when the cameras weren’t rolling, further highlighting his status as a consummate method actor.

Gary Oldman is celebrated for his remarkable versatility and deeply immersive acting style. He is renowned for seamlessly inhabiting a wide range of roles, bringing each character to life with authenticity and intensity.

Transformative prosthetics and Oldman’s mastery of various accents have been pivotal to his unforgettable performances. Notably, he is said to keep a "pain bag" containing personal items—such as photos from his first marriage, his son, and his absent father—to connect more profoundly with emotionally demanding characters.

While preparing for his Academy Award-winning performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, Oldman famously smoked numerous cigars for authenticity, which led to minor health issues. This commitment to his craft underscores his status as one of the greatest method actors in cinema.

Nicolas Cage is renowned for his remarkable performances in acclaimed films like Pig, Moonstruck, Adaptation, Leaving Las Vegas, and Joe.

While preparing for his role as a Vietnam War veteran in Birdy, Cage took method acting to an extreme. To authentically portray his character's pain, he voluntarily had several teeth extracted without anesthesia.

As a result, Cage spent weeks with his face bandaged, fully immersing himself in the physical and emotional toll experienced by his character.

Robert De Niro began his acting journey with an uncredited appearance in the 1965 film Three Rooms in Manhattan. He quickly rose to prominence, ultimately cementing his place as one of the greatest stars in mainstream cinema history.

The iconic actor trained at renowned institutions such as HB Studio, the Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio, laying a solid foundation for his craft.

To prepare for his breakthrough role in Taxi Driver, De Niro famously drove a taxi for hours around New York City, fully immersing himself in his character. His commitment paid off, catapulting him to widespread fame.

Similarly, he participated in three real boxing matches to accurately portray a boxer in Raging Bull, showcasing his intense dedication and method acting approach.

While De Niro is celebrated for his thorough research and preparation, he is also known to trust his instincts on set, bringing authenticity and nuance to even his most serious roles.

His impressive filmography includes celebrated titles like The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, The King of Comedy, Casino, A Bronx Tale, The Irishman, Mean Streets, and Heat.

In addition to his acclaimed film roles, De Niro earned praise for his television work in The Wizard of Lies and served as producer for the Netflix limited series When They See Us.

His outstanding performance in the latter earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

Throughout his illustrious career, De Niro has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Forest Whitaker is widely recognized for his powerful performances in military, political, and law enforcement roles on the big screen. His acting career began in 1982, with debut appearances on both television and in film.

He gained international acclaim for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland. To embody the role authentically, Whitaker immersed himself in the character—learning Swahili, eating only bananas and beans, and staying in character even off-camera.

Whitaker's exceptional talent has earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Among his most notable films are The Last King of Scotland, The Butler, Platoon, Black Panther, Panic Room, and Good Morning, Vietnam.

It's fair to say that Jared Leto stands out as one of the most underappreciated mainstream actors of our time.

Although his unique approach to Method acting often goes unrecognized, Leto has delivered powerful performances in films like Dallas Buyers Club, Suicide Squad, Blade Runner 2049, House of Gucci, and Morbius.

For his role in Requiem for a Dream, he fully committed to the process—reportedly abstaining from intercourse for over two months to stay true to his character.

Leto even chose to live on the streets of Brooklyn for a period, immersing himself in the harsh realities faced by homeless drug addicts to bring authenticity to his portrayal.

Dustin Hoffman is widely regarded as a masterful actor, first gaining widespread recognition for his role as a bewildered college graduate in the classic film, The Graduate.

He truly embraced Method acting during the filming of Marathon Man, deliberately depriving himself of sleep and jogging before scenes to authentically portray a tense, disheveled character.

Hoffman was also known for his commitment to realism while working on Kramer vs. Kramer. Reports suggest he provoked Meryl Streep on set to foster genuine emotional conflict, enhancing the authenticity of their performances.

Denzel Washington is often credited with redefining classic movie stardom through his exceptional talent and powerful on-screen presence. Over the years, he has captivated audiences with his unforgettable performances and dedication to his craft.

Recognized by The New York Times as the greatest actor of the 21st century, Washington is renowned for his deep immersion into the roles he portrays. His commitment to living and breathing each character is legendary in Hollywood.

Fellow A-lister Ryan Reynolds has even praised Washington's Method acting as both inspiring and endearing, highlighting the profound influence Washington has on actors and audiences alike.

Manoj Bajpayee, honored with India's prestigious Padma Shri, is celebrated as one of the finest mainstream actors of the 21st century. His dedication to his craft has set a benchmark in Indian cinema, earning him widespread acclaim for his powerful performances.

After filming the cult classic Shool, Bajpayee revealed experiencing significant psychological turmoil, finding it difficult to sleep due to the intensity of his role. This speaks to his deep immersion in the characters he brings to life.

Recognizing the potential emotional toll, a psychologist friend once advised him not to become too absorbed in the personas he portrays on screen. Despite the challenges, Bajpayee’s stellar roles in films like Aligarh and Satya are a lasting testament to his extraordinary talent and commitment.

Johnny Depp stands out as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, renowned for embracing Method acting to bring depth and complexity to his most challenging roles.

During the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp famously remained in character even when the cameras were off. To prepare for his portrayal of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Depp reportedly immersed himself in the author's world, observing his behaviors and mannerisms in detail.

To fully capture Thompson’s essence, Depp is said to have lived in the author's basement, maximizing their time together and gaining invaluable insight into his unique personality.

Jamie Foxx has earned widespread acclaim and numerous awards over the course of his impressive acting career.

For his celebrated role in "Ray," Foxx reportedly glued his eyes shut on set for nearly 14 hours at a time, fully immersing himself in the portrayal of the legendary blind musician Ray Charles.

He also underwent a dramatic physical transformation, losing more than 30 pounds during filming, to accurately depict Charles's struggle with heroin addiction.

Edward Norton made a remarkable entrance into Hollywood with his debut in Primal Fear, instantly establishing himself as a powerful force in the industry.

On the set of Fight Club, Norton famously struck co-star Brad Pitt in the ear during a scene. Instead of delivering a gentle blow to Pitt’s shoulder as planned, Norton opted for a more authentic moment, resulting in a memorable reaction.

For his intense role as a neo-Nazi in American History X, Norton dedicated himself to physically transforming his physique. He gained 30 pounds and committed to rigorous gym sessions to fully embody the character.

There's no denying that Al Pacino is one of the most impactful screen performers of the 20th century.

He is yet another actor whose name has become synonymous with Method acting over the years. It's been reported that the actor pulled over a lorry driver with a damaged exhaust and threatened to arrest him while playing the conscientious undercover cop in Serpico.

Furthermore, he was seen closing his eyes or using other strategies to keep them closed while portraying a blind and retired Army lieutenant colonel in Scent of a Woman.

Like a few other legends on our list, Pacino has also attended classes at HB Studio and the Actors Studio, where he was taught in the most profound manner by both Charlie Laughton and Lee Strasberg.

One of the few performers to have ever achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, he can be seen in cult classic movies such as Scarface, Heat, The Insider, Danny Collins, The Irishman, and, of course, The Godfather trilogy.

The screen icon has also made his presence felt in the acclaimed series Hunters in the recent past.

Mickey Rourke made his acting debut in the feature film, titled 1941, in 1979.

Even though the actor may not have been considered to be a Method actor during the 1980s and 1990s, his performance in the critically acclaimed The Wrestler demonstrated that he could truly resort to Method acting to do full justice to his character sketch.

Needless to say, Rourke insisted on performing his own stunts in the wrestling-themed motion picture and ended up injuring himself more often than not.

This British film icon is one of the only few performers to have been nominated for an Academy Award for acting in five different decades.

Caine has admitted to rehearsing his lines as many as 1,000 times before turning up on sets. He has also gone on to confess that he uses a secret painful memory to bring out the best in characters that require him to put his best foot forward.

A true pioneer in introducing many new technologies and cosmetics to the Indian film industry, Kamal Haasan is a performer unlike any other.

To prepare for his role in Apoorva Sagodharargal, the actor tied his legs and walked on his knees; all while keeping his arms in a manner that matched the "tiny" legs. This was done to ensure that he came across as a dwarf on the big screen.

Similarly, the superstar actor has played several challenging roles throughout his career; most of which no other Indian actor can possibly think to duplicate.

His fantastic performances in titles such as Chachi 420, Pushpak Vimana, Nayakan, and Dashavataram have cemented his position as one of the greatest performers in the history of Indian cinema.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a noted Indian actor whose several extraordinary performances have ensured he finds a spot on our list.

The Sacred Games star revealed that he had to undergo both physical and emotional transformation while shooting for his critically acclaimed project, Manto.

Siddiqui believes in getting deeply and emotionally involved with his characters. He's also been a part of some great Bollywood entertainers such as Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Psycho Raman.

I'm certain that not a lot of you would've expected to chance upon Jim Carrey in our story. Sure, he arguably is one of the biggest comedic stars in history, but he has also gone Method in more instances than one.

While his most remarkable character projections came in movies that were true-blue comedies, the actor also went on to demonstrate his versatility in classics such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Truman Show.

Carrey resorted to Method acting for his role as Andy Kaufman in Man On The Moon. It is said that he was avoided by his pals and family during the film's shoot. This is because he continued to spend his time off-set in character.

Billy Bob Thornton has had the experience of participating in over 100 productions, thus far. In some of them, he has resorted to to using the Method to get things right.

The Monster's Ball actor apparently put crushed glass in his shoes to ensure that his limping for the character that he played in Sling Blade looked authentic.

Needless to say, the diligent actor received critical acclaim for writing, directing, and starring in the aforementioned independent drama.

Recipient of a National Film Award, an Asian Film Award, and the Padma Shri (India's fourth-highest civilian honor), Irrfan was a fabulous Method actor.

In fact, it'd be safe to say that his identity is pretty much the characters he has played on the big screen to date.

A well-known Indian actor, he was also acknowledged for his appearance in Hollywood flicks such as Jurassic World, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Inferno.

Irrfan won the National Award for his mind-blowing performance in Paan Singh Tomar.

Considered by many to be one of the most influential actors in the history of motion pictures, Marlon Brando was known for immersing himself in the roles that he portrayed on celluloid.

His unique performing technique inspired his colleagues and aspiring actors to take the discipline of Method acting forward. He is known to have fallen under the influence of Stella Adler and Stanislavski's system during the early 1940s.

The legend played the character of a murderous psychopath on his Broadway debut in Truckline Cafe in 1946. A scene showed his character emerging from a cold lake.

To do justice to his role, Brando would run up and down behind the scenes and allow a bucket of ice water to be thrown on his head.

Needless to say, he developed a knack for reading his characters deeply before he started portraying them in front of the camera and consistently anticipating where scenes flowed. 

Over time, his dedication is exactly what earned him two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, one Cannes Film Festival Award, and three British Academy Film Awards.

Also an activist for civil rights and various Native American movements, he was arguably the first mainstream entertainer to have familiarized the audience with the Stanislavski system of acting.

Some of his finest motion pictures are The Godfather, On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Wild One, and Julius Caesar.

One of South Korea's finest screen performers, Choi Min-sik is said to have resorted to Method acting for some of his most demanding roles to date.

However, his character play in the blockbuster film Oldboy is the one that stands out in the true sense of the word. 

While he walked around off-camera with the bizarre haircut that he had in the movie, he also devoured a living octopus as per the requirement of the script.

That said, his performance in I Saw the Devil is also worth checking out.

The talented and unconventional Dennis Hopper took a rather different approach to Method acting. To ensure that his portrayal of a photojournalist trapped in a jungle cult in Apocalypse Now came across as authentic, the actor resorted to doing drugs to be able to deliver one of the most talked-about monologues in cinema history.

While some considered it an unconventional strategy of acting, others had no option but to see it as a mere excuse to do drugs.

Arguably the most popular actor in the history of Japanese cinema, Toshiro Mifune was an expressive, intelligent, and creative actor who could get into the skin of any character.

He used to be so convincing and confident that one could easily forget the last role he played.

The actor performed best while working with genius director Akira Kurosawa, and shocked the global audience with his amazing range, versatility, and charisma.

Some of his best performances came in features such as Red Blood, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog, Rashomon, High and Low, and Record of a Living Being.

Adrien Brody has been performing in the movies since the late 1980s. He took to Method acting to deliver an impressive and highly acclaimed performance in his most ambitious project to date.

Not only did he lose more than 30 pounds to do full justice to the character sketch of Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman in The Pianist but he also learned to play the piano for real.

To comprehend the survivor's sense of loss, Brody gave up his apartment, sold his car, disconnected his phone, and moved to Europe for some time.

We agree that Shia was popular among the teens for playing a significant character in the Transformer movie franchise, but he has also gone on to put his acting prowess on display on more occasions than one.

He took to Method acting to deliver astonishing performances in motion pictures such as Disturbia, Nymphomaniac, and Charlie Countryman.

It's been reported that the actor took drugs to make a scene look authentic in Charlie Countryman. However, he went a step ahead when but he allegedly had intercourse for real on-screen in Nymphomaniac because the script instructed him to do so.

The extraordinary Naseeruddin Shah is a film and stage actor who is best known for his work in Indian parallel cinema.

He has been a recipient of three National Film Awards and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.

What's special about Shah is the fact that he does not care about socio-economic or political boundaries while playing a character.

In his mind, there is only one religion and that is good cinema. Some of his finest performances have come in features such as Paar, Pestonjee, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Masoom, and Sparsh.

Described by master director Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate Method actor", the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, Dilip Kumar, was famous for living his roles to the absolute fullest.

While not a lot has been revealed about how he prepared for his roles, the fact that he mastered every character that he played on celluloid made him a perfectionist of the highest order.

For his performance in the classic film Ganga Jamuna, Dilip traveled the state of Uttar Pradesh for months. He not only got familiar with the lifestyle of the people there but he also managed to learn the Purabia and Awadhi dialects.

Val Kilmer is a seasoned performer who has been making his presence felt in popular Hollywood productions since the mid-1980s.

The actor apparently spent thousands of dollars to produce an eight-minute-long music video of himself, which showed him singing the songs of Jim Morrison.

Kilmer did this to ascertain that he gets to play the musician in Oliver Stone's The Doors. So, after having grabbed the role, the man was seen wearing the artist's costumes and frequenting places visited by Morrison himself.

One of the greatest Indian actors of all time, Om Puri perfected his many roles in commercial potboilers and arthouse cinema.

It is said that during the shoot of Bhavni Bhavai, the actor used to keep sheets of Devanagari scripts under his pillow to access them whenever he could. He apparently used to do this to both memorize and comprehend his lines better.

One of the most prominent faces of the parallel cinema movement, Puri had the ability to set the screen on fire without uttering a single word.

The actor, who also participated in British productions, seemed to capture the soul of the characters he portrayed on celluloid.

James Dean may not have worked in a lot of features, but he was able to establish himself as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and alienation with his adroit character projection in Rebel Without a Cause.

The star is credited with making the 'Method' more instinctive and attractive. He managed to play his roles by merging his personal experiences with that of the characters he was enacting.

Dean used his own quirks and banked on his personal life and instincts to nurture his performances.

One of the first actors to be invited to train with Lee Strasberg, Montgomery Clift is considered to be among the original Method actors of Hollywood.

Best remembered for his roles in features such as From Here to Eternity, A Place in the Sun, and Red River, he was a natural actor who happened to be quite subtle in his approach.

He could feign vulnerability so well that the viewers were compelled to empathize even with his rogue characters. Not only did Cliff learn about the cowboy life before starring in Red River but he also spent a night locked in the San Quentin Pen death house before shooting for his execution sequence in A Place in the Sun.

Additionally, he is said to have learned to box and drill military-style for his Oscar-nominated performance in From Here to Eternity.