Top 50 Legendary White Actors Of All Time

 

We are all aware of the fact that cinema is magic and that its impact on our minds is so powerful that it can often end up changing our perspectives about most things in life.

 

Making a movie experience fulfilling in the true sense of the word requires a truly talented actor to work his magic.

 

Not only do the actors have to surprise the audience with their acting abilities but they also have to gain their confidence for the long term to amass a loyal fan base.

 

Needless to say, if cinema is magic and a reflection of society, actors are magicians and, often, a reflection of ourselves.

 

While acting is an art that is not very easy to master, we have done our best best to master this piece to fetch you some of the most legendary names to have ever stepped into Hollywood.

 

We’ve attempted to rank the actors in our story based on the awards and nominations that they have received, their acting skills, and versatility.

 

So, without any further ado, let’s make some time to appreciate the greatness of these beloved screen legends.

 

 

 

1. Jack Nicholson

 

 

 

Known for applying the tough technique of Method in his many performances, the legendary Jack Nicholson has played some of the grittiest on-screen characters of all time.

 

The man has entertained the cinematic universe for over five decades now and is one of the only actors to have received an Oscar nod in every decade from the 1960s to the early 2000s.

 

However, this does not come as a surprise if one takes into account the fact that he has played a variety of roles over the years.

 

That said, he is best known for playing authoritative characters or ones with a sardonic sense of humor.

 

Jack shot to international fame after appearing in classic motion pictures such as Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Chinatown, The Shining, Batman, A Few Good Men, As Good as It Gets, and The Departed.

 

He is the most nominated male actor in the history of Academy Awards with twelve nominations to his credit.

 

Also, he has won the award for Best Actor twice; one for his portrayal in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and another for the 1997 classic As Good as It Gets.

 

 

 

2. Marlon Brando

 

 

 

Marlon Brando is considered to be the greatest actor of the 20th century by many fans and critics across the globe.

 

One of the first few mainstream performers to apply the technique of Method acting in 1950s Hollywood, his celebrated career spanned over five wonderful decades.

 

The actor received great acclaim for his performances in titles such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Burn!, Julius Caesar, The Wild One, and Last Tango in Paris.

 

His mind-blowing role play in On the Waterfront fetched him his first Academy Award.

 

However, the marvelous Marlon did not stop there.

 

He went on to win an award for the Best Actor for the second time for his unparalleled performance as Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s cult classic The Godfather.

 

He was also known for raising his voice against the misrepresentation of Native Americans in mainstream cinema.

 

 

 

3. Robert De Niro

 

 

 

Robert De Niro made his first screen appearance by playing an uncredited role in the 1965 feature film Three Rooms in Manhattan.

 

Today, he stands tall as one of the greatest actors to have ever graced the silver screen.

 

Best known for playing tough-guy roles with great charm and depth, he has gone on to prove himself in films that require him to thrive on his humor as well.

 

The actor is popular for easily submerging himself into his characters. It is not surprising then that he has gone on to win the Academy Award for acting twice.

 

He won the Best Supporting Actor for his role as Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s crime saga The Godfather Part II.

 

Furthermore, Bob grabbed the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a belligerent boxer in Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull.

 

In 2023, the screen legend was seen playing the role of William King Hale, a well-off cattleman and perpetrator of Osage Indian murders, in Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed motion picture Killers of the Flower Moon.

 

He also featured in the comedy About My Father and the TV series Nada in the same year.

 

 

 

4. Al Pacino

 

 

 

Al Pacino is one of the most iconic actors in the history of Hollywood. He has had a career that spans over five decades.

 

This acting legend is one of the very few actors to have received the Triple Crown of Acting – Academy, Emmy, and Tony Awards in the acting category.

 

Even though the enigmatic actor was seen on-screen before his appearance in The Godfather in 1972, it was the Francis Ford Coppola directorial venture that made him a global star in the true sense of the word.

 

Pacino has demonstrated his acting skills by playing different kinds of roles on the big screen.

 

Not only has he been seen portraying a merciless gangster but he has also been seen playing a cop, a football coach, a musician, and a truth-seeking journalist, respectively.

 

In recent years, the actor has been seen playing Aldo Gucci in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci and Meyer Offerman in the Amazon Prime Video series Hunters. He received favorable reviews for his performance in both.

 

The legend won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his terrific character projection of a blind military veteran in Scent of a Woman. He is also tipped to be producing Modi, which is a project about Amedeo Modigliani. 

 

 

5. Daniel Day-Lewis

 

 

 

Considered by many to be the finest screen performer of his generation, Daniel Day-Lewis is a recipient of three well-deserved Academy Awards for Best Actor.

 

In fact, he is the only actor in cinema history to have won the Oscars thrice in the Best Actor category.

 

It is not surprising then that he is known to stay in character throughout the course of any film that he is working on at the moment.

 

Needless to mention, his dedication to his art has gone on to set a precedent in Hollywood.

 

That said, we’d like to inform our readers that this magnificent actor announced his retirement following the release of his critically acclaimed motion picture Phantom Thread in 2017.

 

 

6. Tom Hanks

 

 

 

Tom Hanks is easily among the finest actors to have ever graced the silver screen anywhere in the world.

 

The legendary screen performer has managed to impress his viewers worldwide with the diverse range of roles that he has portrayed on celluloid.

 

He is known for starring in cult classics like Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, and Saving Private Ryan. 

 

His kind nature and friendly disposition have ensured that he mostly ends up playing the good-guy roles, or characters that are always hopeful despite the odds that they might be facing within their lives.

 

He has won the Oscar for Best Actor twice; one for his performance in Philadelphia and another for Forrest Gump.

 

That said, Hanks is absolutely in no mood to stop. He has been seen setting the big screen on fire with his outstanding portrayal in motion pictures such as Elvis and A Man Called Otto. 

 

Matter of fact, he also starred in and wrote the screenplay for the thrilling war drama Greyhound.

 

 

7. Dustin Hoffman

 

 

 

The versatile Dustin Hoffman’s legendary career has spanned over five decades in the entertainment industry.

 

The actor shot to fame by playing a career-defining role in Mike Nicholls’ The Graduate. However, not many are aware of the fact he originally wished to be a classical pianist.

 

In fact, he had even played the instrument during his years in college.

 

Besides The Graduate, he has also been seen delivering power-packed performances in films such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man, and Midnight Cowboy.

 

Dustin has received two Academy Awards for acting for his performances in Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man.

 

That said, the screen star also made his presence felt in Mayim Bialik’s As They Made Us in 2022. The same year, he went on to star alongside his son Jake Hoffman in Sam & Kate, which marked the feature film debut of director Darren Le Gallo.

 

Now, it’s being reported that the man will next be seen in iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s forthcoming feature Megalopolis.

 

 

8. Anthony Hopkins

 

 

 

Sir Anthony Hopkins is said to have been inspired by the legendary Richard Burton.

 

The oldest actor to have ever won an Oscar for Best Actor, he stunned the world with his mind-boggling portrayal of a father struggling to fight old age and dementia in 2020’s The Father.

 

While he has enacted a number of outstanding characters on celluloid, the one that has gone on to cement its place in the minds of his fans is his unbelievable portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

 

 

9. Charlie Chaplin

 

 

 

The incredible Charlie Chaplin was seen in a string of one-reel short features at the beginning of his illustrious career.

 

The celebrated performer was considered to be the most famous person on the planet during the 1910s and 1920s.

 

Considered to be one of the most influential actors in the history of motion pictures, he gained worldwide recognition for his on-screen portrayal of ‘The Tramp’.

 

Some of Chaplin’s best projects are City Lights, Modern Times, The Kid, The Gold Rush, The Circus, and The Great Dictator.

 

 

10. Paul Newman

 

 

 

Paul Newman was an absolute screen legend and a bonafide superstar. He was blessed with the most striking blue eyes in the history of cinema.

 

Aside from being an award-winning actor, he was also an entrepreneur, race car driver, and film director.

 

The acclaimed screen performer was a recipient of an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

 

It is imperative to mention that The Hustler actor was nominated for the Oscars ten times and that he earned the Best Actor trophy for his performance in The Color of Money.

 

 

11. Spencer Tracy

 

 

 

Spencer Tracy was a natural actor who was known for his versatility.

 

He was the first actor to have won an Academy Award for Best Actor for two consecutive years.

 

Even though the man took his time to make an impact on the box office, success came to him as he continued to star in amazing movies and impressed the critics with his performances.

 

Tracy even went on to win the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his performance in the feature film Bad Day at Black Rock.

 

 

12. Laurence Olivier

 

 

 

Laurence Olivier was one of three male actors who largely dominated the British stage during the mid-20th century.

 

He can be seen making his dynamic presence felt in critically acclaimed cult classics such as Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, Henry V, Hamlet, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and King Lear.

 

The iconic film star has been a recipient of four Academy Awards, five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards, respectively.

 

 

13. Jack Lemmon

 

 

 

Called “the most successful tragi-comedian of his age” by The Guardian, Jack Lemmon was an iconic actor who was known for his remarkable character projections in iconic comedy flicks.

 

However, that does negate the fact that the exemplary actor could ace dramatic roles as well.

 

His knack for comedy and drama was perhaps the reason he was seen playing a jittery middle-class American in his projects. 

 

Lemmon was a recipient of two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Cannes Film Festival Awards, two Volpi Cups, one Silver Bear, and three BAFTA Awards, and two Emmy Awards, respectively.

 

 

14. Humphrey Bogart

 

 

 

Humphrey Bogart has been called the greatest male actor by the American Film Institute. One of the biggest cultural icons in America, he was referred to as Bogie by his fans and colleagues.

 

The actor found stardom after having starred in motion pictures such as High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon in 1941.

 

He went on to headline and is perhaps best remembered for one of Hollywood’s most-loved motion pictures of all time: Casablanca.

 

It’s widely accepted that his performance and punchlines in the aforementioned project left an everlasting impact on the minds of the viewers.

 

He went on receive a Best Actor nomination for his performance in the same.

 

However, Bogart managed to win the award for his character play in the 1952 film The African Queen.

 

 

15. James Stewart

 

 

 

James Stewart was known to bring a great amount of depth to the simplistic characters that he portrayed on celluloid.

 

One of the greatest American actors of all time, he is known for his unique dialogue delivery and stuttering voice that was often exaggerated to dramatize scenes.

 

He has acted in some of the finest motion pictures of his time.

 

While he was seen playing a charming and idealistic young man in Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, one can also find him portraying serious roles in features such as Vertigo and Winchester ’73.

 

Stewart is ranked number 3 on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest American male actors of all time.

 

 

16. Cary Grant

 

 

 

Best known for his transatlantic accent, great comic timing, and light approach to performing, the popular Cary Grant was placed at number 2 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 25 Greatest Male Stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

The handsome actor won hearts by making his charming presence felt in films such as Arsenic and Old Lace, Charade, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, Notorious, North by Northwest, and His Girl Friday.

 

Grant is arguably the most popular star in Hollywood history to have never won an Oscar for acting.

 

 

17. Michael Caine

 

 

 

Michael Caine was first seen playing an uncredited role in the television movie Morning Departure in 1946.

 

Known for his distinctive South London articulation, he’s appeared in over 160 movies in a career that has spanned over seven decades.

 

Reportedly, motion pictures that he’s been a part of have gone on to amass over $7.8 billion at the global box office.

 

Caine has been a recipient of two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and one BAFTA Award, respectively.

 

 

18. Robin Williams

 

 

 

Often called one of the greatest comedic actors in the history of cinema, Robin Williams continues to be remembered for the wide range of characters that he played in many iconic features.

 

His excellent improvisational skills can be associated with the fact that he had established himself as a stand-up comedian.

 

Williams has been a recipient of an Academy Award, six Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards, respectively.

 

He’s been seen putting his acting skills on display in terrific movies such as Good Will Hunting, Jumanji, Dead Poets Society, Good Morning, Vietnam, and Mrs. Doubtfire, to name a few.

 

 

19. Leonardo DiCaprio

 

 

 

Given the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio has been facing the camera ever since he was only five years old, it’d be safe to argue that the talented performer was born to act.

 

This prolific actor is known for mostly acting in biopics. He has won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Hugh Glass in the movie The Revenant.

 

DiCaprio has played a significant role in a ton of highly successful movies over the years, including Romeo and Juliet, Titanic, Inception, Aviator, The Revenant, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

 

He’s received numerous accolades that include an Academy Award, one BAFTA, and lot many nominations.

 

 

20. Robert Duvall

 

 

 

Robert Duvall’s acting career spans over seven decades.

 

He has been a recipient of an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

 

After having started his career in theater, the actor ventured into playing film and television roles during the 1960s.

 

He has been seen in titles such as M*A*S*H, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, Tender Mercies, Days of Thunder, and The Judge.

 

 

21. Henry Fonda

 

 

 

Often seen playing heroic characters with the neverending search for peace and justice, Henry Fonda is easily among the greatest Hollywood stars of all time.

 

The actor rose to prominence after having delivered strong performances in feature films such as Jezebel, Jesse James, Young Mr. Lincoln, My Darling Clementine, and The Ox-Bow Incident.

 

In addition, his deeply layered performances in 12 Angry Men, The Wrong Man, and The Grapes of Wrath brought him further fame.

 

However, the fabulous Fonda hit the ball out of the park by winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his final film performance in the endearing family drama, On Golden Pond.

 

 

22. James Cagney

 

 

 

He made a name for himself by appearing in several gangster films throughout his distinguished career.

 

Some of his best feature films are The Public Enemy, Taxi!, The Roaring Twenties, Angels with Dirty Faces, White Heat, and City for Conquest.

 

He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his character projection in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

 

Cagney was placed at number 8 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 25 Greatest Male Actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

 

23. Jeff Bridges

 

 

 

Jeff Bridges was first seen playing a minor role in the 1951 feature film The Company She Keeps. He is known for his versatility and distinct acting style.

 

He is still popular among his admirers as “The Dude”, courtesy of his ultra-cool character projection in the cult film The Big Lebowski.

 

The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his superb performance as an alcoholic singer in Crazy Heart.

 

He has been seen in motion pictures such as Hell or High Water, True Grit, King Kong, Tron, and Bad Times at the El Royale.

 

 

24. Peter O’Toole

 

 

 

The inimitable Peter O’Toole gained recognition as a Shakespearean actor while working in theatre.

 

He shot to fame after playing the part of T.E. Lawrence in the film Lawrence of Arabia.

 

The actor holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for acting without ever having won one.

 

However, he did receive an Academy Honorary Award for his indisputable contributions to cinema.

 

Peter delivered some of his career-best performances in feature films such as Becket, The Lion in Winter, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and My Favorite Year.

 

He’s been a recipient of four Golden Globe Awards, one BAFTA Award for Best British Actor, and one Primetime Emmy Award, respectively.

 

 

25. Clinton Eastwood

 

 

 

Clinton Eastwood was first seen playing an uncredited role in the 1955 feature film Revenge of the Creature.

 

He is one of the most refined multi-talented personalities to make it to our story.

 

The man first made a name for himself by appearing in the television series Rawhide.

 

He shot to global fame by playing the role of “Man with No Name” in filmmaker Sergio Leone’s trilogy of Dollars films.

 

Often dubbed the cultural icon of masculinity, Eastwood has directed some critically acclaimed features such as Unforgiven, The Bridges of Madison County, Sully, Changeling, Million Dollar Baby, and Gran Torino.

 

He has headlined a few of the aforementioned movies himself.

 

 

26. Sean Penn

 

 

 

Sean Penn was first seen making an appearance as a teenager on the television show Little House on the Prairie.

 

He is an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer par excellence.

 

The actor made his feature film debut in Taps and has won two Academy Awards ever since; one for his role in Mystic River and another for the biopic Milk.

 

Penn soon became a leading mainstream performer after having impressed everyone with his character projections in movies such as Bad Boys and At Close Range and Carlito’s Way.

 

He’s also appeared in titles such as State of Grace and Dead Man Walking.

 

 

27. Gene Hackman

 

 

 

Gene Hackman is a retired professional actor and novelist who made his big screen debut in 1961’s Mad Dog Coll.

 

He’s been a recipient of two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and two BAFTAs, respectively.

 

The actor can be seen in acclaimed motion pictures such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, and Mississippi Burning.

 

In order to support himself financially between acting jobs, Hackman even worked at a restaurant before making it big in the industry.

 

 

28. Sir Ben Kingsley

 

 

 

Sir Ben Kingsley is another renowned actor who first made an appearance in a television series before trying his luck in the movies.

 

The actor’s well-regarded career spans over five decades.

 

He has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, respectively.

 

Some of his finest performances have come in films such as Gandhi, Schindler’s List, Shutter Island, and Sexy Beast.

 

 

29. Russell Crowe

 

 

 

Russell Crowe is known to have portrayed strong-willed and talented individuals in a few of his critically acclaimed projects.

 

The supremely talented screen performer gained international attention after having played the role of Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the epic historical feature film Gladiator.

 

The aforementioned blockbuster fetched him an Academy Award, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, Empire Award, and London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Leading Actor, respectively.

 

He has been seen in exceptional films such as L.A. Confidential, The Insider, and A Beautiful Mind over the years.

 

 

30. Philip Seymour Hoffman

 

 

 

Philip Seymour Hoffman is known to have delivered some truly subtle and effective performances throughout his career.

 

He made his screen debut on the television show Law & Order at the beginning of the ’90s.

 

The late actor was popular for playing different kinds of supporting roles both in theatrical productions and in the movies.

 

He gained widespread acclaim for his roles in features such as Scent of a Woman, Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, Almost Famous, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

 

Hoffman won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Capote.

 

 

31. Kevin Spacey

 

 

 

After having begun his career on stage during the early 1980s, Kevin Spacey soon started getting roles to portray in films and on television.

 

He gained prominence after his adroit role play in The Usual Suspects; a motion picture that fetched him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

 

The man gained further recognition after winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for his splendid character projection in the drama film American Beauty.

 

Spacey has since been seen in movies and television shows such as Seven, L.A. Confidential, Pay It Forward, Baby Driver, and House of Cards.

 

 

32. Gregory Peck

 

 

 

The immensely good-looking Gregory Peck was one of the most popular and admired screen performers from the 1940s to the 1960s.

 

The American Film Institute placed him at number 12 in their list of the 25 Greatest Male Stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema.

 

Peck appeared in some truly remarkable feature films during the peak of his cinematic journey.

 

Some of his finest movies in my opinion are: To Kill a Mockingbird, Cape Fear, Moby Dick, Roman Holiday, The Keys of the Kingdom, The Omen, and Spellbound.

 

 

33. Clark Gable

 

 

 

The stylish Clark Gable was referred to as the ‘King of Hollywood’ by many fans and critics of his era.

 

He is known to have played a variety of roles in over 60 motion pictures that he’d been a part of.

 

While he is said to have found stardom after headlining 1932’s Red Dust, his popularity went beyond the roof after he appeared in one of Hollywood’s biggest box office blockbusters ever: Gone with the Wind.

 

The superstar won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Frank Capra’s cult romantic comedy, It Happened One Night.

 

 

34. Gary Cooper

 

 

 

Gary Cooper was a remarkable film star who was known for his understated style of acting and calm execution of sequences.

 

One of the most bankable Hollywood stars for close to two decades, he was a recipient of two Academy Awards for Best Actor.

 

He charmed the audience with his undeniable screen presence in motion pictures such as High Noon, Meet John Doe, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and The Pride of the Yankees.

 

Cooper has been placed at number 11 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 25 Greatest Male Stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema.

 

 

35. George C. Scott

 

 

 

George Campbell Scott was a supremely talented actor on the stage, in films, and on television.

 

He mostly used to play stern and dominating characters in the projects that he was part of.

 

Some of his finest performances came in motion pictures such as Dr. Strangelove, Anatomy of a Murder, A Christmas Carol, and The Hospital.

 

His brilliant character projection in the 1970 war drama Patton earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

 

 

36. Jason Robards

 

 

 

Jason Robards may not be a very well-known figure today, but he was one of the most respected screen performers of his time.

 

His memorable work in cinema allowed him to be a recipient of two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, respectively.

 

Indeed, he is one of the 24 actors to have ever achieved the Triple Crown of Acting.

 

Robards was seen making his presence felt in motion pictures such as A Thousand Clowns, All the President’s Men, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Melvin and Howard.

 

 

37. Charles Laughton

 

 

 

Trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Charles Laughton is one of the most memorable screen performers to have ever graced the silver screen.

 

Following his stint on stage, the actor made his debut playing an uncredited role in the movie Piccadilly.

 

However, he soon rose to prominence after having won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Private Life of Henry VIII.

 

The late actor can be seen in hits such as The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Big Clock, and Witness for the Prosecution.

 

 

38. Peter Sellers

 

 

 

Peter Sellers was an actor, comedian, and singer who first shot to fame after performing on the BBC Radio comedy series, called The Goon Show.

 

He was popular for playing the role of Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther series of feature films. 

 

Besides the aforementioned role, he was usually seen doing a parody of authoritative characters in his projects.

 

He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role twice; one for I’m All Right Jack and another for The Pink Panther.

 

 

39. Peter Finch

 

 

 

Peter Finch made his big-screen debut in the 1938 feature film The Farmer Goes to Town.

 

His role play of the eccentric television anchor in the 1976 feature Network ended up fetching him an Academy Award for Best Actor, albeit posthumously.

 

For his performance in the very same movie, he even won his fifth Best Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and a Best Actor award from the Golden Globes.

 

 

40. Burt Lancaster

 

 

 

Burt Lancaster was mostly seen playing tough characters with a kind heart on celluloid.

 

The four-time Academy Award nominee made his debut in Stanley Kubrick’s critically acclaimed 1946 feature The Killers.

 

The man had been a recipient of two BAFTA Awards and one Golden Globe Award for Best Lead Actor.

 

Lancaster has been placed at number 19 on the American Film Institute’s list of 25 Greatest Male Actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

 

41. Richard Burton

 

 

 

Richard Burton was first seen in the television movie The Corn Is Green in 1946. Soon after his feature film debut, he went on to establish himself as a fabulous Shakespearean actor.

 

He consolidated his position as a performer following his extraordinary performance of Hamlet in the 1964 Broadway production of the same title.

 

That said, the actor also made headlines for his turbulent personal life with screen icon Elizabeth Taylor.

 

Burton went on to impress the viewers with his performance in movies such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, My Cousin Rachel, Becket, and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, among others.

 

He won and was nominated for several BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Tony Awards for Best Actor.

 

 

42. William Holden

 

 

 

William Holden was one of the biggest box office draws in Hollywood during the 1950s.

 

The actor made his debut by playing an uncredited role in the 1938 motion picture Prison Farm.

 

He shot to fame after having delivered commendable performances in features such as Sunset Boulevard, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Sabrina, Picnic, and The Wild Bunch.

 

For his outstanding performance in Stalag 17, Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

 

A television film called The Blue Knight also fetched him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

 

 

43. John Wayne

 

 

 

You’d be surprised to learn that the indomitable John Wayne played quite a few uncredited and minor roles before making it big in Hollywood.

 

Arguably the biggest Western and war movie star in the history of American cinema, he was seen in spectacular motion pictures such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, Red River, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Quiet Man, and Rio Bravo.

 

While he went mainstream with Stagecoach, it was his amazing role play in True Grit that fetched him a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor.

 

 

44. Kirk Douglas

 

 

 

Hollywood star Kirk Douglas did not have a financially supportive childhood.

 

The actor made his debut in the feature film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, and soon established himself as one of the most sought-after actors of the 1950s.

 

He was placed at number 17 on the American Film Institute’s list of 25 Greatest Male Stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

Even though Douglas never won an Oscar, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performances in Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Lust for Life, respectively.

 

 

45. Sir Alec Guinness

 

 

 

Alec Guinness was first seen playing the role of an extra/uncredited actor in the 1934 flick Evensong.

 

He burst onto the scene by performing in motion pictures such as Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Lavender Hill Mob, and The Ladykillers.

 

Popular for portraying Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, he’s known to have collaborated six times with director David Lean.

 

One of their collaborations, The Bridge on the River Kwai, ended up winning Guinness both the Academy and BAFTA Award for Best Actor.

 

 

46. Christopher Plummer

 

 

 

Canada’s greatest thespian Christopher Plummer delivered some of the finest performances of his career in the movies, on stage, and on television.

 

He’d been a recipient of an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, respectively.

 

The man described himself as a “passionate creative from Broward County, FL.”

 

He shot to fame after playing the role of Captain Georg von Trapp in the classic musical drama The Sound of Music.

 

 

47. Orson Welles

 

 

 

Orson Welles may have made arguably the most extraordinary Hollywood debut of all time. He not only directed his debut feature Citizen Kane but he also produced and starred in it.

 

Today, the motion picture is considered to be one of the greatest films to have ever been made.

 

While it may be true that not a lot of competent directors had gone on to become great actors at the time, Welles had arrived to change the game.

 

Besides Citizen Kane, he also starred in and helmed titles such as The Lady from Shanghai, The Trial, Othello, and Touch of Evil.

 

 

48. Sir Sean Connery

 

 

 

The tall and handsome Sean Connery burst onto the scene during the mid-1950s.

 

He was the first actor to play the fictional character of the British secret agent James Bond; appearing in as many as seven motion pictures of the franchise.

 

The success of the Bond films made iconic directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet, and John Huston take notice of Connery.

 

Sooner than later, the talented screen performer was seen making his presence felt in feature films such as Marnie, Murder on the Orient Express, and The Man Who Would Be King.

 

 

49. Tommy Lee Jones

 

 

 

Tommy Lee Jones made his debut in the film Love Story in 1970.

 

He has delivered strong performances in motion pictures such as No Country for Old Men, In the Valley of Elah, Batman Forever, Under Siege, and JFK over the years.

 

The actor has been nominated for the Academy Awards four times.

 

In fact, he did win the Best Supporting Actor trophy for his adroit performance in the 1993 thriller The Fugitive.

 

 

50. Fred Astaire

 

 

 

Often seen wearing top hats and tails, Fred Astaire was an inimitable on-screen performer who managed to charm the audience both with his remarkable acting and dance abilities.

 

He is credited with transforming the musical movie genre with his all-dancing, all-singing mannerisms.

 

In fact, he is considered to be the best Hollywood actor who also went on to perfect the art of dacing. Needless to say, many of his movies saw him acting and dancing with great panache.

 

Astaire shared great chemistry with Ginger Rogers and the duo was seen in flicks such as Top Hat, Swing Time, and Shale Dance, to name a few.