I’ll finish up my third part of my top 10 series. Two weeks ago I listed my favourite directors, last week I listed my favourite actresses, and this week we conclude with my favourite actors. And so without further adieu, here we go.
For each actor, I have listed my favourite role and others I think worthy of note. I’ll also rank them in reverse order. I’ve only considered actors of the modern era (i.e. those still around and working today)…
10. Tom Hanks
Best Recent Role: Cast Away (2000)
Other Great Performances: Catch Me If You Can (2002), Road To Perdition (2002), The Green Mile (1999), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Saving Private Ryan (1998)
9. Steve Buscemi
Best Recent Role: Ghost World (2000)
Other Great Performances: Big Fish (2003), The Impostors (1998), The Big Lebowski (1998), The Wedding Singer (1998), Fargo (1996)
8. Elijah Wood
Best Recent Role: The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Other Great Performances: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004), Deep Impact (1998), The Ice Storm (1997), The War (1994)
7. Ed Harris
Best Recent Role: Pollock (2001)
Other Great Performances: The Hours (2003), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Buffalo Soldiers (2001), Enemy At The Gates (2001), The Truman Show (1998), Absolute Power (1997), Nixon (1995), Apollo 13 (1995)
6. John Cusack
Best Recent Role: Being John Malkovich (1999)
Other Great Performances: Runaway Jury (2003), Identity (2003), America’s Sweethearts (2001), High Fidelity (2000), Pushing Tin (1999), The Thin Red Line (1998), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
5. William H. Macy
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), Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
4. Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Recent Role: Titanic (1997)
Other Great Performances: 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), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), This Boy’s Life (1993)
3. Edward Norton
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)
2. Johnny Depp
Best Recent Role: Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)
Other Great Performances: Secret Window (2004), Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003), From Hell (2001), Blow (2001), Chocolat (2000), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The Ninth Gate (1999), Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998), Donnie Brasco (1997), Ed Wood (1995), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
1. Philip Seymour Hoffman
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)