Woohoo! It’s the final of my trilogy of issues where I look at my favourite directors, actresses and actors.
In terms of actors, this was the list I found which had changed most. I’m not sure why exactly. It was very hard to narrow down a final 10 and there are an amazing 6 newcomers in this year’s list. Those who got the chop in 2005 were Johnny Depp, John Cusack, Ed Harris, Elijah Wood, Steve Buscemi and Tom Hanks.
Unlike my previous two issues however, I am not changing my top pick. Philip Seymour Hoffman stays on top for the 2nd consecutive year.
Once again, I’m looking at current actors and so have only considered their performances in films of the past 10 years.
Here we go…
10. Paul Giamatti (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: Sideways (2004)
Other Great Performances: Cinderella Man (2005), American Splendor (2003), Storytelling (2001), Man On The Moon (1999), Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Truman Show (1998)
9. Christian Bale (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: American Psycho (1999)
Other Great Performances: Batman Begins (2005), The Machinist (2004), Laurel Canyon (2002), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), Velvet Goldmine (1998), The Portrait Of A Lady (1996)
8. Leonardo DiCaprio (last year’s rank: 4)
Best Recent Role: Titanic (1997)
Other Great Performances: The Aviator (2004), Gangs Of New York (2002), Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Beach (2000), Marvin’s Room (1996), Romeo & Juliet (1996), The Basketball Diaries (1995)
7. Jeff Bridges (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Other Great Performances: The Door In The Floor (2004), Seabiscuit (2003), K-Pax (2001), The Contender (2000), Arlington Road (1999), White Squall (1996)
6. Edward Norton (last year’s rank: 3)
Best Recent Role: Primal Fear (1996)
Other Great Performances: 25th Hour (2002), Red Dragon (2002), The Score (2001), Fight Club (1999), American History X (1998), Rounders (1998), Everyone Says I Love You (1998), The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996)
5. William H. Macy (last year’s rank: 5)
Best Recent Role: Fargo (1996)
Other Great Performances: The Cooler (2003), Seabiscuit (2003), Focus (2001), State And Main (2000), Magnolia (1999), A Civil Action (1998), Pleasantville (1998), Wag The Dog (1997), Boogie Nights (1996)
4. Russell Crowe (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Other Great Performances: Cinderella Man (2005), Master & Commander (2003), Gladiator (2000), The Insider (1999), L.A. Confidential (1997)
3. Geoffrey Rush (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: Shine (1996)
Other Great Performances: The Life & Death Of Peter Sellers (2004), Pirates Of The Caribbean (2003), Swimming Upstream (2003), Lantana (2001), The Tailor Of Panama (2001), Quills (2000), Shakespeare In Love (1998), Elizabeth (1998), Les Miserables (1998)
2. Jim Carrey (not ranked last year)
Best Recent Role: The Cable Guy (1996)
Other Great Performances: Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events (2004), Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004), How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Man On The Moon (1999), The Truman Show (1998)
1. Philip Seymour Hoffman (last year’s rank: 1)
Best Recent Role: Boogie Nights (1997)
Other Great Performances: Cold Mountain (2003), Owning Mahowny (2003), 25th Hour (2002), Red Dragon (2002), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Almost Famous (2000), State And Main (2000), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), Magnolia (1999), Happiness (1998), The Big Lebowski (1998)