Yes, yes, I know this is all a subjective and difficult matter, but who do you think are the greatest actors to have ever lived?

Before I begin, I would just like say that I haven't seen too many movies from before the 90s.

Now, I will not really put out a list (as I suspect most of the names will be repeated by others, like Pacino etc.), however I will name one actor whom I truly believe has to be the greatest actor to have ever graced the world of cinema and his name is Marcello Mastroianni. Great Italian actor whom Roger Ebert referred to as "the most complete of movie actors" and I find it very, very hard to disagree with that statement. I find it difficult to believe that I will ever like another actor as much as I like Mastroianni. I've only seen like 8 of his films and I really, really need to see more. His filmography is intimidating.

Putting off reasons until a later date:

Toshiro Mifune
Robert De Niro
Marlon Brando
Juliette Binoche
Gunnar Bjornstrand
Frances McDormand
Ingrid Bergman
Humphrey Bogart
William Holden
Katherine Hepburn (The Lion In Winter especially)
Bibi Anderrson
Bruno Ganz
Ellen Burstyn
Jack Nicholson
The Jonas Brothers

Brando is more important, and perhaps Stewart is more iconic, but my number one guy is Bobby DeNiro. Even in his lesser roles, he has a certain gravity, and his best work has a way of worming its way into your central nervous system and staying there.

As far as the gals go, Jodie Foster brings a lot to the table. She's been in too many good movies, and has elevated her share of not-so-good movies. And, of course, Meryl "bajillion Academy Award nominations" Streep, who lives up to the hype.

Careful not to forget Orson Welles. That dude had the chops of a roaring lion on the screen. He had backhand like John Mcenroe...if a punk beeehotch stepped up he was smackin the ho. And he was fat too....not phat I mean fat fat, really actually physically fat. But that's OK. Anyway...

This reason is one I've gotta hear.

Anyway, my list includes:

Humphrey Bogart
Robert DeNiro
Paul Newman

When all is said and done, I think Philip Seymour Hoffman and George Clooney will be on this list, too.

Leonardo DiCaprio

There are the obvious choices...

I'm wondering if Daniel Day Lewis is so obvious.

May His pimp hand be strong, and may It always find its target.

I'll have to second Ken's Robert DeNiro mention. It's almost a cliche to mention him or Brando (who changed acting as we know it) but they really were that damn good.



I like that choice. He always brings it, even if the movie is a bit suspect (The Ballad of Jack and Rose).

Brando, Jimmy Stewart, Bogart, and DeNiro are at the top.

Pacino when he was younger, Daniel Day Lewis. Clooney, Denzel Washington, Norton, DiCaprio to some degree.

He does always bring it though...doesn't he Ed.

Now...I haven't seen all of his films, but of the ones I have seen, not a single bad scene. That guy is hardcore.

I remember watching him in Gangs of New York in the theatre with my wife. She does not like bloody movies, but there was that scene with the dead rabbit where even she said, "Wow."

Look guys, im really happy for you and imma let you finish, but Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the greatest actors of all time!!!!!!

Yup, there are few actors who can do "intense" as well as him. He's good at subtle too. Check out Scorsese's Age of Innocence. It's a great example of what both Daniel Day Lewis and Scorsese can do with restraint.

I'm a little surprised that two people have mentioned George Clooney. I mean, yes he's charming and all, but he doesn't exactly stretch his range much.

Glad to see someone recognize the quality of Age of Innocence. I see it as a partner film to Gangs of New York, showing different sides of the city. One film details the restraint and hypocrisy of upper society
while the other shows the chaos in the slums. Each is underappreciated in my opinion.

Of this decade, I am gonna go with leonardo dicaprio. & Sean Penn

the 90's saw three actors (for me): Tom Hanks, Daniel Day Lewis and Kevin Spacey

the 80's saw: Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro

Greatest actor(s) of all time is a tough category to fill with anything but nominees. One person's "acting" may appear to another as just a carryover from every other role that the actor has played. I mean, seriously, John Wayne was not versitile at all, but people loved him. For me, an actor has to be water and fill whatever container he's offered.


My picks for best:
Christopher Walken
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
(underused) Guy Pierce
Daniel Day Lewis

Great pick. Mr. Pearce is by far one of the most underrated actors around.

Heres's my humble list (including both genders if that is acceptable):

(in no particular order)

Meryl Streep
Dustin Hoffman
Gene Hackman
Bette Davis
Jodie Foster
Kevin Spacey
Frances McDormand
Charlize Theron
Henry Fonda
James Stewart
Susan Sarandon
Edward Norton
Peter Stormare
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Anthony Hopkins
Charles Laughton
Laurence Olivier
Sigourney Weaver
Glenn Close