As we narrow down the time toward the Oscars, a common debate will happen at watching parties and around the water cooler (you know, if that’s a thing anymore where you work). Lovers of movies and oglers of those in the movies will ask, “Who are the best actors working today?” This can be an acutely objective question or a highly subjective query, but we’ll aim for the former. As cinephiles, it’s essential to know who should reflect the Who’s Who in Tinseltown.
Come award season, and it doesn’t matter who is the best looking, but rather, who is the most deserving. Some of your Top 10 actors (or actresses, whose list is coming) may not win a golden statue. However, some of the actual top 10 best actors will still be the standard those favorites admire. It’s simple. These are the guys everyone else wants to be in Hollywood, so regardless of who is awarded the annual braggadocio, that doesn’t mean the actual Top 10 have been kicked off the mountain either.
Now, let’s be clear: I need to get one of those carpal tunnel wrist guards. All the rock, paper, and scissors games I had to endure to narrow this list down to 10 was a siege on my wrists. There will be names missing that you believe oversights, so we had to be as objective as possible.
- Some actors are prolific in the scale of roles but just missed the summit. People like Hardy, McConaughey, Oldman, and Hopkins are phenomenal but just a bit outside.
- Others have been snubbed or outvoted from winning an award. Those are individuals like Depp, McKellen, Norton, and Harrelson.
- And then, there are those in the living legends category who enjoy time swinging on the driving range. That elite retiree’s club comprises fellas like Nicholson, Hoffman, Kingsley, Firth, Ford (because cameos in sequels don’t count), and Hackman. There is one massive exception, but more on that later…
Again, this wasn’t easy, so be kind.
The Top 10 actors helm any movie they are in because of their dynamic skill, adroit capability, and stellar storytelling. Think winners of awards. Remember amazing scenes where you forgot the actor and just saw the character. It’s not a popularity contest; it’s a skill on display. That’s what makes the proof of immortalized giants in Hollywood. Imagine movies that mesmerized the masses and the people who led them. So, grab the envelope, unseal it, and read the names inside.
These are the Top 10 best actors today
10. Mahershala Ali
Look at all those names above and understand Mahershalalhashbaz Ali Gilmore set the bar for this list of best actors. He has already taken over in Hollywood. Geeks are still butthurt over him being killed off so fast in Luke Cage. Why? It’s him. The dude is stellar at acting and has a range that spans any genre. His work is so good people think about what he did even when he’s off-screen. That’s called the command of a craft, and good night, Mahershala Ali’s presence in a film is all the proof you need that it is must-see viewing.
Breakout Role: Remy Danton, House of Cards
Next Role: Blade
Major Awards (82 wins, 89 nominations):
- Oscar, Best Supporting Actor (Moonlight, Green Book)
- Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actor (Green Book)
- SAGs, Best Supporting Actor (Moonlight, Green Book); Ensemble Cast (Hidden Figures)
- Emmy, Outstanding Children’s Program (We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest)
- BAFTA, Best Supporting Actor (Green Book)
- Critics’ Choice, Best Guest Performer (House of Cards)
9. Joaquin Phoenix
In your mind, some of those aforementioned actors may outrank Joaquin Phoenix (brother of River who died way too soon) as one of the Top 10 best actors today but get real. This guy is a walking enigma with what he can do on the big screen and what he does on stage when he wins an award. His skills seem limitless given the vast array of characters he has played with confidence and boldness. He was Johnny Cash and Arthur Fleck, Commodus and Freddie Quell, and even once, he was Jesus. In each movie where he is featured, count on a nomination–no matter what. The guy is just that good.
Breakout Role: Commodus, Gladiator
Next Role: Napoleon Bonaparte
Awards (69 wins, 189 nominations):
- Oscar, Best Actor (Joker)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (The Master); Best Supporting Actor (Gladiator)
- Grammy, Best Soundtrack (Walk the Line) — yes, those are his vocals.
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Joker, Walk the Line)
- SAG, Best Actor (Joker)
- BAFTA, Best Actor (Joker)
- Critics’ Choice, Best Supporting Actor (Gladiator, Quills, The Yards)
8. Sean Penn
The fact that Sean Penn is 8th on a list of the best actors today should tell you about the stiff competition here. Again, this isn’t subjective ranking so set aside what you think about the guy outside of acting–and there is a ton to consider with his whack-job behind. He is without question one of the most gifted and bewildering actors today. Another sign of his skill is his breakout role. Some actors catch a break after 10 or 12 years of acting. Penn’s big break was back in the 1980s! Who knew one of the best characters in cinematic history, Jeff Spicolli of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, would be one of the best actors in cinematic history? But there he is, in all his looney tunes greatness.
Breakout Role: Jeff Spicolli, Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Next Role: Daddio
Awards (74 wins, 108 nominations):
- Oscar, Best Actor (Milk, Mystic River)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (I am Sam, Sweet, and Lowdown, Dead Man Walking)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Mystic River)
- SAG, Best Actor (Milk)
- BAFTA, “Britannia Award”
- Critics’ Choice, Best Actor (Milk, Mystic River)
7. Al Pacino
Moving forward through this austere list of the best actors working today, they will all be no-brainers. All of them is a living legion in Hollywood, beginning with Al Pacino. Since 1968, this man has been on the scene, and it only took him four years for Old Man Oscar to know his name as the regaled Michael Corleone in The Godfather. Only a year later, he was Serpico. For more than 50 years, Al Pacino has been at the top of his game. If only he could sing, he’d be an EGOT winner, only missing a Grammy. It doesn’t matter if he’s on one side of the law (Heat, Dog Day Afternoon) or the other (Scarface, The Godfather), or even is the law (The Devil’s Advocate), Al Pacino is unquestionably impressive.
Breakout Role: Michael Corleone, The Godfather
Next Role: King Lear
Awards (51 wins, 125 nominations):
- AFI Lifetime Achievement
- Kennedy Center Honor
- Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Oscar, Best Actor (Scent of a Woman)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather Part II, And Justice for All, Serpico); Best Supporting Actor (Glengarry Glen Ross, Dick Tracy, The Godfather, The Irishman)
- Grammy Nomination, Best Spoken Word (The Complete Shakespeare Sonnets)
- Emmy, Best Actor (You Don’t Know Jack)
- Emmy Nominations, Best Actor (Phil Spector)
- Tony, Best Actor (Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?, The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel)
- Tony, Best Actor (The Merchant of Venice)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack, Serpico)
- SAG, Best Actor (You Don’t Know Jack, Angels in America)
- BAFTA, Best Actor (Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather Part II)
6. Morgan Freeman
There are few people on the planet people would take out a second mortgage on their house for an actor to make their voice mail. Morgan Freeman is one such man, not because his voice is smooth. The man can convince you of anything because he speaks with such sincerity. He is not only one of the best actors alive today, but he is also one of the most respected. People don’t speak ill of this guy because he’s effin’ Morgan Freeman. Just look at his roles: a president (both fake and real in Mandela), a Chief Justice, a professor, a principal, and a teacher, a CEO and a scientist, a former boxer and a current inmate, and…oh yeah, God! To think, he got his start on a beloved children’s show on PBS. And don’t let any perceived lack of gold fool you. Anyone not on this list would gladly give up a seat for this guy.
Breakout Role: Fast Black, Street Smart
Next Role: Sheriff Thurmond Fowler, The Minute You Wake Up Dead
Awards (64 wins, 83 nominations):
- AFI Lifetime Achievement
- Hollywood Foreign Press Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Kennedy Center Honor
- Oscar, Best Supporting Actor (Million Dollar Baby)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Invictus, The Shawshank Redemption — yes, he was so robbed, Driving Miss Daisy); Best Supporting Actor (Street Smart)
- Emmy Nominations, Guest Actor (The Kominski Method), Documentary (Through the Wormhole), Series (The Story of God), Narrator (L’emperur — seriously?! Who the hell beat him in this category?
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Driving Miss Daisy)
- SAG, Best Actor (Million Dollar Baby), Life Achievement Award
5. Leonardo DiCaprio
When you are one of the favorite toys of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, you know you got game. Such is life for this kinda’ handsome, somewhat talented Leonardo DiCaprio. And now that he is tinkering with production and direction, it’s getting a little obscene the bag of riches Leo has at his disposal. The thing with him is that he has been blessed with some of the best co-stars ever. Your A-game is bound to shine brighter when you are around people like Kate Winslet, Tom Hardy, Johnny Depp, and Cate Blanchett at your side (and a handful of folks on this list). It has for him, and he is genuinely one of the best actors working today and this generation.
Breakout Role: Arnie Grape, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Next Role: Theodore Roosevelt, Jim Jones
Awards (100 wins, 259 nominations):
- Oscar, Best Actor (The Revenant)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Wolf of Wall Street, Blood Diamond, The Aviator); Best Supporting Actor (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape)
- Emmy Nominations, Documentary (Virunga)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (The Revenant, The Aviator)
- SAG, Best Actor (The Revenant)
- BAFTA, Best Actor (The Revenant)
4. Robert De Niro
His awards list may not be as stellar as others on this best actors’ list but name a movie. You know? One of the AFI greatest ever. Robert De Niro’s name is scattered over that list–The Godfather I and II, The Deer Hunter, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Once Upon a Time in America. That’s all De Niro! And some of the ones that are not listed are simply fantastic where you can’t imagine anyone else in that role (Cape Fear, Heat, Silver Linings Playbook, A Bronx Tale, Joker). The admirable thing about Robert De Niro is that he doesn’t care to be pigeonholed. Following a ridiculously mesmerizing movie like Sleepers or Awakenings, he will turn around and star in Meet the Parents and Shark Tale. There is nothing he hasn’t done–genres, characters, and styles. And the man has been excellent at them all.
Breakout Role: Bruce, Bang the Drum Slowly
Next Role: William Hale, Killers of the Flower Moon
Awards (65 wins, 133 nominations):
- AFI Lifetime Achievement
- Kennedy Center Honor
- Hollywood Foreign Press Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Oscar, Best Actor (Raging Bull), Best Supporting Actor (The Godfather, Part II)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Awakenings, Cape Fear); Best Supporting Actor (Silver Linings Playbook)
- Emmy Nominations, Limited Series (When They See Us), Lead Actor (The Wizard of Lies), Guest Actor (Saturday Night Live)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Raging Bull)
- SAG, Life Achievement Award
3. Denzel Washington
From a nighttime soap opera in the late 1970s to someone is more like a chameleon in Hollywood. Look at his movies. Denzel Washington is easily one of the best actors of this generation. His range is second-to-none. Considering all the majestic roles, Denzel has taken on, if you have seen the Joel Coen-led The Tragedy of Macbeth, you know the man has no fear–and could very well have one more Oscar to his name. Well, in the words of some guy he played once, “King Kong [still] got nothing on him!” If you’re interested in what’s next for this gifted vessel, he’s behind the camera. Think about each time he has done that–Antwone Fisher, The Great Debaters, Fences. All remarkable films. All with Washington at the helm. The next one should be great. Not for nothing, but he has this son named John David who ain’t too bad at acting either.
Breakout Role: Private First Class Peterson, A Soldier’s Story
Next Role: Director, A Journal for Jordan
Awards (85 wins, 207 nominations):
- AFI Lifetime Achievement
- Hollywood Foreign Press Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Oscar, Best Actor (Training Day), Best Supporting Actor (Glory)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Malcolm X–so wronged for not winning this, The Hurricane, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., The Tragedy of Macbeth); Best Supporting Actor (Cry Freedom)
- Emmy Nominations, Non-Fiction Special (Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks), Informational Special (Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (The Hurricane), Best Supporting Actor (Glory)
- SAG, Best Actor (Fences), Life Achievement Award
- BAFTA, Britannia Award
2. Tom Hanks
There is extraordinarily little in any lexicon to say about Tom Hanks that hasn’t already been said on any stage around the world. He is one of the premier talents in the last 50 years. Even when he was playing a cross-dressing advertising executive on Bosom Buddies, people knew the guy was going to command any screen he was featured on. Don’t sleep on Tom Hanks, the comedic actor. Movies like Bachelor Party, Big, and Splash are sorely underrated. In fact, Tom Hanks’ “Welcome to Hollywood” party was Big. He was magnetic, and that was just a taste of what this magnificent actor could do. From Sleepless in Seattle to You’ve Got Mail, That Thing You Do to News of the World, the man is magic on the screen. Just watch Toy Story 1-4 and holler back. And, any time he stars in a summer movie, it’ll be a blockbuster. For the winter movies? We’ll see him on a stage getting some gold.
Breakout Role: Josh, Big
Next Role: Col. Tom Parker, Elvis (yes, he’ll be nominated for something)
Awards (89 wins, 200 nominations):
- AFI Lifetime Achievement
- Kennedy Center Honor
- Hollywood Foreign Press Cecil B. DeMille Award
- Oscar, Best Actor (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, Big); Best Supporting Actor (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood)
- Emmy, Limited Series (Olive Kitteridge), Miniseries (Game Change, The Pacific, John Adams, From the Earth to the Moon), Directing (Band of Brothers)
- Emmy Nominations, Variety Special (Celebrating America: PBS Newshour, The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert), Guest Actor (Saturday Night Live), Documentary (The Seventies, The Sixties), Drama Series (Big Love), Writing (Band of Brothers), Directing (From the Earth to the Moon)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Big)
- SAG, Best Cast (Apollo 13), Best Actor (Forrest Gump), Life Achievement Award
- BAFTA, Britannia Award
1. Daniel Day-Lewis
Call it controversial, poppycock, gospel, or even “huh,” no one on the planet can deny what Daniel Day-Lewis has done with the roles he has been given. Namely, considering it could take up to a year to prepare for a function given his firm dedication to method acting. See those golden statues? No person has ever won Best Actor three times except this guy.
If you have questions about him or his career, that’s by design. Even Daniel Day-Lewis has called himself “a lifelong study of evasion.” He takes no prisoners when preparing for a role. Take his monumental visage in 1898 America as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood. He won 43 acting awards out of 50 possible awards for that one role, including the Oscar. Do you need other impressive factoids on this savant?
- He is one of 13 actors–ever–to have won the Oscar, BAFTA, Critics’ Choices, Golden Globe, and SAG for the same performance. And he did it twice for There Will Be Blood and Lincoln.
- Some actors have a wonderful career and might earn two Oscar nominations. The longest this guy has ever gone without a nomination is nine years, between In the Name of the Father and Gangs of New York.
- Only five people have won three or more Oscars–Walter Brennan, Ingrid Bergman, Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Everyone else has a supporting actor or two on the list.
- He has contributed to eight films that were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director–Gandhi, A Room With a View, My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, and Phantom Thread
So, let’s bring up the elephant on the Red Carpet–he quit acting in 2017. Yeah, about that. He has only appeared in 21 feature films–and was nominated as the Best Actor in almost half of them! Talent like that is GOAT-ish. Someone, somewhere is going to hurl a Brinks Truck to either London or Ireland (he has citizenship in both countries) and beg him to come back. He has been known to go five to nine years in between one role. It will happen. He is too good not to do that.
Breakout Role: Johnny, My Beautiful Laundrette
Next Role: TBD. There is no way he stays retired. He’s just too good.
Awards (139 wins, 212 nominations):
- Oscar, Best Actor (My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln)
- Oscar Nominations, Best Actor (In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York, Phantom Thread)
- Golden Globes, Best Actor (There Will Be Blood, Lincoln)
- SAG, Best Actor (Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln)
- BAFTA, Best Actor (My Left Foot, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln)
- Critics’ Choice, Best Actor (Gans of New York, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln)
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Since he saw ‘Dune’ in the $1 movie theater as a kid, this guy has been a lover of geek culture. It wasn’t until he became a professional copywriter, ghostwriter, and speechwriter that he began to write about it (a lot).
From the gravitas of the Sith, the genius of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or the gluttony of today’s comic fan, SPW digs intelligent debate about entertainment. He’s also addicted to listicles, storytelling, useless trivia, and the Oxford comma. And, he prefers his puns intended.
