The Greatest Actors and Actresses of the 21st Century

 

The Greatest Actors and Actresses of the 21st Century

            On November 25^th, 2020 the New York Times published their list of the 25 greatest actors of the 21^st century, and it caused instant controversary. In their attempt to artificially create a diverse list, they left off obvious entries (Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron) while including people that were largely unfamiliar (Sonia Braga, Rob Morgan). To be honest, it’s not a terrible list, although it does have some problems. Such lists are subjective anyway.

            Here is my response with my own list of the greatest actors and actresses of the 21^st century. First, I made a separate list for males and females, for reasons too important to list here. Second, the performers had to be reasonably active in either television, film, or both during the period of 2000-2020, not just know for a one or two projects. Third, this list is mostly artists from English language films; it’s just what I know best.

 

Actors

 

25. Daniel Day-Lewis

            Best Role: Gangs of New York (2002)

            Reason: I hesitated to include him because I prefer artists willing to have many roles of different stripes rather than holding out for just the big ones. Nevertheless, it would be impossible to deny Day-Lewis’ talent.

 

24. Michael Fassbender

            Best Role: Shame (2011)

            Reason: Fassbender is a fearless performer, unafraid to make himself vulnerable or despicable.

 

23. Brad Pitt

            Best Role: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

            Reason: Pitt does an amazing job emoting cool, like Steve McQueen or James Dean.

 

22. Bradley Cooper

            Best Role: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

            Reason: Manly but also sweet and funny.

 

21. Viggo Mortenson

            Best Role: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

            Reason: Easily has the best facial hair in the business

 

20. Wilhelm Dafoe

            Best Role: Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

            Reason: Creepy, fun, and always stylish

 

19. Ralph Fiennes

            Best Role: The Harry Potter Franchise

            Reason: Fantastic British mannerisms

 

18. Ian McKellen

            Best Role: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

            Reason: Wise and understated

 

17. Forrest Whitaker

            Best Role: The Last King of Scotland (2006)

            Reason: Always contemplative and thoughtful

 

16. Johnny Depp

            Best Role: The Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise

            Reason: Moody and versatile

 

15. Joaquin Phoenix

            Best Role: The Master (2012)

            Reason: Fearless and inventive

 

14. Robert Downey Jr

            Best Role: Tropic Thunder (2008)

            Reason: I am Iron Man!

 

13. Colin Firth

            Best Role: The King’s Speech (2010)

            Reason: Once Hollywood’s most infamous cuckold became a leading man

 

12. Hugh Jackman

            Best Role: Logan (2017)

            Reason: An emo beefcake with a serious set of pipes

 

11. Chris Pratt

            Best Role: Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)

            Reason: Whether fat or thin, Chris is the best

 

10. Philip Seymour Hoffman

            Best Role: The Master (2012)

            Reason: A chameleon of styles and ideas

 

9. Samuel L. Jackson

            Best Role: Snakes on a Plane (2006)

            Reason: The definition of bad-ass

 

8. Paul Giamatti

            Best Role: John Adams (2008)

            Reason: The unsung hero of average guys

 

7. Matt Damon

            Best Role: The Martian (2018)

            Reason: There’s a reason he gets rescued a lot: he’s fantastic.

 

6. Christoph Waltz

            Best Role: Inglorious Basterds (2009)

            Reason: Everyone loves the wily bad guy

 

5. Jeremy Renner

            Best Role: The Hurt Locker (2009)

            Reason: The amount of meaning this guy can put into a simple facial expression is amazing.

 

4. Jeff Bridges

            Best Role: Crazy Heart (2009)

            Reason: Funny or serious, he’s just so lovable

 

3. Denzel Washington

            Best Role: Fences (2018)

            Reason: A force of nature, a tower of strength and rage

 

2. Morgan Freeman

            Best Role: Bruce Almighty (2003)

            Reason: He could make the phone book sound good

 

1. Leonardo DiCaprio

            Best Role: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

            Reason: This man’s energy is unstoppable

 

Actresses

 

25. Holly Hunter

            Best Role: The Incredibles (2004)

            Reason: She talented in many formats

 

24. Helena Bonham Carter

            Best Role: The Crown (2018-Present)

            Reason: Classy and amazing

 

23. Jessica Chastain

            Best Role: Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

            Reason: Hard shell with a sweet interior

 

22. Viola Davis

            Best Role: The Help (2011)

            Reason: A tower of strength and humility

 

21. Natalie Portman

            Best Role: Black Swan (2010)

            Reason: She has great intensity

 

20. Margot Robbie

            Best Role: Birds of Prey (2020)

            Reason: She has an innocence coupled with great drama

 

19. Aubrey Plaza

            Best Role: Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)

            Reason: She is one of the best deadpan comedians of all time

 

18. Melissa McCarthy

            Best Role: Mike & Molly (2010-2016)

            Reason: She has a great range but is especially great with comedy.

 

17. Reese Witherspoon

            Best Role: Legally Blonde (2001)

            Reason: Cute and feisty

 

16. Shailene Woodley

            Best Role: The Descendants (2011)

            Reason: She has a great “girl next door” vibe and a quiet sweetness

 

15. Emma Stone

            Best Role: Easy A (2010)

            Reason: She has great range with an intense, gravelly voice

 

14. Anna Kendrick

            Best Role: Up in the Air (2009)

            Reason: Whitty, sarcastic, and amazing

 

13. Saoirse Ronan

            Best Role: Lady Bird (2017)

            Reason: She could hypnotize the world with those eyes

 

12. Keira Knightley

            Best Role: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

            Reason: Oozing with British charm and bite

 

11. Sarah Paulson

            Best Role: 12 Years a Slave (2013)

            Reason: A unsung hero of Hollywood who can blend into any role and bring pathos

 

10. Emma Watson

            Best Role: The Harry Potter Franchise

            Reason: She could melt the world with a smile, then put it back together again

 

9. Meryl Streep

            Best Role: Julie and Julia (2009)

            Reason: The reigning queen of Hollywood, 72% deserved

 

8. Kate Winslet

            Best Role: The Reader (2008)

            Reason: She has one of the most impressive resumes in Hollywood at all ages

 

7. Tina Fey

            Best Role: 30 Rock (2006-2013)

            Reason: Probably the smartest writer/actor in the business

 

6. Julianne Moore

            Best Role: Game Change (2012)

            Reason: Many actors get better with age but few start out great and only get greater

 

5. Allison Janney

            Best Role: The West Wing (1999-2006)

            Reason: She brings both warmth and spark

 

4. Nicole Kidman

            Best Role: Moulin Rouge (2001)

            Reason: Kidman instantly brings meaning to any performance

 

3. Jennifer Lawrence

            Best Role: Winter’s Bone (2010)

            Reason: I’m happy to say I was on the JLaw bandwagon early. She shone in Winter’s Bone and only got better.

 

2. Charlize Theron

            Best Role: Bombshell (2019)

            Reason: Whether its comedy, action, or drama, she brings everything to the role and kills it.

 

1. Amy Adams

            Best Role: American Hustle (2013)

            Reason: Beautiful, versatile, and heartwarming. The perfect actress.