In My Opinion: The Best American Actors

I've already done an article on the Best British Actors of today, and you can read it here. I have a pretty good idea of who I want to put on the list of Americans now as well. I've always known that I wanted to do a list of the best actors from America, and, obviously, I would do Britain and America separately, because of the fact that the acting scenes are so different in each place. For example: British actors are more likely to train in theatre, not film—and American actors are less likely to be from an acting background.

Now, it's going to work backwards again, from 10 to 1, so let's get on with the ten best American actors.

10. Johnny Depp

Born in 1963 in Kentucky, Johnny Depp is most known for his roles in films that you really couldn't see anyone else starring in apart from him. He is known for his changing appearance, his ability to completely turn into a character, and his amazing range of acting talent. From starring in 80s and 90s cult classics like Cry Baby to Tim Burton's world beginning with Edward Scissorhands, and the biopic Ed Wood. From the Pirates of the Caribbean series to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Even from portraying a gangster in Public Enemies to the famed Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Johnny Depp has portrayed an entourage of different characters. My personal favourite has to be when he played the famed "bad director" Ed Wood in Tim Burton's film of the same name.

9. Robin Williams

Born in 1951, Robin Williams is pretty much the funniest guy in Hollywood since Buster Keaton, and Sir Charlie Chaplin. Probably most well-known for voicing the original Genie in Disney's Aladdin (and since the absolutely terrible-looking remake is coming up), Williams made his name leading the San Fransisco Comedy Renaissance. He's been in absolute classic films such as: Good Will Hunting, Patch Adams, Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, Night at the Museum, Flubber, The World According to Garp, Man of the Year, and even the original Jumanji. There is absolutely no doubt as to why Robin Williams is so revered in his field, and, personally my favourite film of his (hate me if you want) will always be Patch Adams. I watched that film very young, and I have seen it many times ever since—it's one of the films I just have great memories of. Unfortunately, in 2014 we lost Robin Williams to suicide—he was only 63 years old.

8. Leonardo Dicaprio

Born in 1974, DiCaprio has done so much in his 44 years of life—more than I can say that most other actors have. He's known for playing many difficult and intense roles; but, then again, he is known for being a very nice man in real life. He's known for his ability of range, and his intense concentration, and love for his job. His Best Actor Oscar felt, to many, well overdue, as there were so many roles that DiCaprio has done that are considered Oscar-worthy. His best films include: Titanic, The Revenant, The Beach, The Wolf of Wall Street, Shutter Island, Inception, The Great Gatsby, Django Unchained, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Revolutionary Road, J.Edgar, and yes, Romeo and Juliet. To be honest, you could probably name many more, but my favourite of his films will always be as Dom Cobb in Inception.

7. Keanu Reeves

Born in 1964 in Lebanon, Keanu Reeves is (I believe) an incredibly underrated actor for what he does; and as a human being, what he's been through, and because of this, how he's managed himself. If you don't know this information, both Keanu Reeves' girlfriend and child died within the same year. His daughter was stillborn, and his girlfriend died on impact in a car accident three months later. His sister also suffered with Leukemia for over a decade. Be that as it may, Reeves has managed to maintain his career, and is known to be a nice, kind human being. His best films include: Bill and Ted (Excellent Adventures and Bogus Journey), Point Break, My Own Private Idaho, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Much Ado About Nothing, Speed, Johnny Mnemonic, The Devil's Advocate, The Matrix Series, Constantine, A Scanner Darkly, The Day the Earth Stood Still, 47 Ronin, and the John Wick series. My personal favourite of his roles will always be as Bob in A Scanner Darkly—I have loved that film for years.

6. Robert Redford

Born in 1936 in Santa Monica, California, Robert Redford is possibly one of the most famous names in Hollywood ever. I can truly say that if you haven't seen Redford's acting, then you've missed out on experiencing real acting. He has incredible range; though he's known more for his All-American films than others, he's also been in adaptations of books to films, and he's acted through most every single genre there is. His best films are: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Great Gatsby, All the President's Men, Out of Africa, A Unfinished Life, and The Old Man and the Gun. I know there are many, many more, but I didn't want to make the list too long. My personal favourite of his will always be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He made a brilliant Sundance Kid.

5. Michael Douglas

The 74-year-old actor is known for more than just portraying the antagonistic Gordon Gekko in Wall Street—though that role was practically one of the best pieces of acting I had ever seen. Michael Douglas is even more well-known for his incredible skill, and his amazing range when it comes to acting—clearly it runs in the family. His best films include: Wall Street, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, The American President, The Game, Wonder Boys, Don't Say a Word, The Sentinel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and, of course, Ant Man. His filmography is vast, and there's probably something I've missed, but nothing for me can beat the antagonising speeches, the greed, and Machiavellianism of Gordon Gekko.

4. Tom Hanks

From portraying incredibly complex characters to being one of the nicest people in Hollywood; Tom Hanks has really done everything he can to keep his job his main priority. Hanks is pretty much known for being an incredible actor, and his roles in films like Saving Private Ryan, Big, Forrest Gump, The Da Vinci Code, and many more give us insight into exactly how much range he has. In each film, he has tried to give us the incredible sensation of emotion through character, and most especially with one of his most recent films: Sully, he has shown that he has still got that very special talent.

3. Jack Nicholson

You can thank Jack Nicholson for scaring the living daylights out of five year old @3ftMonster because of his portrayal of the Joker in Batman. But seriously, there's no other person that could possibly portray a villain as well as Nicholson does it. To be honest, it goes from The Joker to Jack Torrance in The Shining, and even that crazy Colonel accused of murder in A Few Good Men. It's that film where Nicholson utters the iconic line "You can't handle the truth," and literally, just that scene is one of the best pieces of villainous acting you'll ever see. It's a brilliant scene, and I think more people should appreciate that movie—it's brilliant and Nicholson makes it so. Oh and, yes, Easy Rider—I don't think I need to say anymore.

2. Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando has been called one of the greatest actors of all time, and has been known to have an incredible acting range. From his performance as Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, to his brilliant performance in The Godfather Part 1 as Don Vito Corleone. Marlon Brando is a brilliant actor, and yes, I even liked his performance in Apocalypse Now—even though I know a lot of people who hated it. Brando is iconic with an amazing range, and an incredible legacy. He was even very active in the field of promoting human rights, with his no-show at the Oscars creating scandal, as did his appearance at the 1964 March on Washington. All in all, he's brilliant, and his legacy remains very much intact, even 15 years after his death.

More Mentions...

These are people who didn't make the top ten list, but they are still brilliant American actors who have done some great things.

Robert Downey Jr.

One of my favourite films in history is Chaplin, and it stars this legend, Robert Downey Jr. as the King of Comedy, Sir Charlie Chaplin. It's a beautiful film, and I highly recommend you all watch it.

Denzel Washington

I have to say when it comes to films like Equaliser and Training Day there isn't really anyone else you could see playing those roles, Washington just does it so damn well.

Joaquin Phoenix

I have to say that one of the best performances in a biopic I have ever seen is Joaquin Phoenix portraying Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. It was absolutely brilliant, and seriously, it gave his career the real push it needed.

Jim Carrey

Purely a personal addition, because I've seen so many of his movies, and he's absolutely hilarious. Films like The Mask and Ace Ventura are definitely classics of comedy film, and Jim Carrey is the one to thank for that. If you've never laughed at a Jim Carrey movie then you're either lying, or you've only seen 23.

Clint Eastwood

The King of Westerns, Clint Eastwood isn't just an actor, he's a director and producer, and he's also insanely talented. Films like The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, and films like The Unforgiven continue to show us Clint Eastwood's legacy of great movies.

Mark Ruffalo

I think this guy's acting is phenomenal. He was in one of my favourite movies ever, Spotlight. He was also in the film Zodiac, and obviously, he plays the greatest Bruce Banner ever. There is no denying that he has great talent, but his magnum opus will always be Spotlight for me. That was amazing.

1. Al Pacino

Italian-American actor Al Pacino has covered a hell of a lot of ground when it comes to film. Winning his Best Actor Oscar for Scent of a Woman (and stealing it from Robert Downey Jr. for his role in Chaplin). Obviously, people love Al Pacino because of his role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather series, and for his films like Dog Day Afternoon, Donnie Brasco, Scarface, Devil's Advocate, and even his small role in Ocean's Thirteen. Personally, I think his greatest role will always be in the film Donnie Brasco—because I've seen it the most. I know others think it's Michael in The Godfather Series, and yes, that sounds more like it.