Your list is admirable. Unlike John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Steve McQueen, who basically just played the same character in all of their movies, most of those on your list could convincingly portray a wide variety of complex characters. Brando would be at the top of that list. His on-screen presence regardless of the role was riveting, despite the mumble of his lines. You didn't care. He could project more with the roll of an eye than most could in an entire scene. You won't find much better than Bogey's descent into madness in Treasure of the Sierra Madre, or Fonda's quiet control in 12 Angry Men. All great choices, though I can't quite justify the inclusion of Astair and Grant. Thanks for the memories.
Quite a list I should say. Bogart, Brando, and so many others. To be honest, I found it impossible to just pick ten from so many different unique actors over the years.
I would consider Buster Keaton as superior to Chaplin. He wasn't trying hard to be wistfully poignant. He was a working man who did what he had to do. Also, I would consider The Grapes of Wrath to be a Western. The last Western, in fact.
Chaplin was no "actor" --- Keaton was a superior performer in every way and not scared to drop costume or persona if it suited the "character" for the good of the story.
@@AmericanActionReport Commenters on YT argue about who was the coolest actor. McQueen, Mitchum, Bronson- yes, all are cool but Keaton was the coolest of all. Look at how he was on the handlebars of a motorcycle racing around a rural Los Angleles in one of his pictures. Incredible stunts! Can't recall the title. Dangerous as hell but he never lost his cool.
I think Spencer Tracy's best role was in 'Judgement at Nuremberg'. Henry Fonda was at his best in 'Once Upon a Time...', playing against his usual 'heroic' roles. Bogart was at his best, I think, in 'In a Lonely Place'.
Great list. Shows how talented these were to have starred in so many different genres. Interesting that the #2 Best Actor on this list, Cary Grant, was the only one of the ten never to win an acting Oscar. Says something about the Academy....
The Oscar is not for the "best actor" though even the Academy sometimes calls it that. It is for the "best performance by an actor in a lead role." Grant was a great actor but which of his roles would you rank above the winner for that year? Just for the record, Cary Grant is my favourite actor.
Your list is admirable. Unlike John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Steve McQueen, who basically just played the same character in all of their movies, most of those on your list could convincingly portray a wide variety of complex characters. Brando would be at the top of that list. His on-screen presence regardless of the role was riveting, despite the mumble of his lines. You didn't care. He could project more with the roll of an eye than most could in an entire scene. You won't find much better than Bogey's descent into madness in Treasure of the Sierra Madre, or Fonda's quiet control in 12 Angry Men. All great choices, though I can't quite justify the inclusion of Astair and Grant. Thanks for the memories.
I have to say that my favorite Bogart film has always been "We're No Angels"...
Does popularity count in ranking great actors? If memory serves, John Wayne in his heyday was the top grossing actor for 23 out of 25 years.
Quite a list I should say. Bogart, Brando, and so many others. To be honest, I found it impossible to just pick ten from so many different unique actors over the years.
The next list has to include Gregory Peck.
Great list and I agree with them all. But I would put Cagney ahead of a lot of these.
I would consider Buster Keaton as superior to Chaplin. He wasn't trying hard to be wistfully poignant. He was a working man who did what he had to do. Also, I would consider The Grapes of Wrath to be a Western. The last Western, in fact.
Buster Keaton and Lon Chaney.
Chaplin was no "actor" --- Keaton was a superior performer in every way and not scared to drop costume or persona if it suited the "character" for the good of the story.
@@BurchallGj I agree. I'd say that Keaton was the best actor of his era. Chaney is second. Others of that era are far behind.
@@AmericanActionReport Commenters on YT argue about who was the coolest actor. McQueen, Mitchum, Bronson- yes, all are cool but Keaton was the coolest of all. Look at how he was on the handlebars of a motorcycle racing around a rural Los Angleles in one of his pictures. Incredible stunts! Can't recall the title. Dangerous as hell but he never lost his cool.
I think Spencer Tracy's best role was in 'Judgement at Nuremberg'. Henry Fonda was at his best in 'Once Upon a Time...', playing against his usual 'heroic' roles. Bogart was at his best, I think, in 'In a Lonely Place'.
I agree. Casablanca will always be his signature. But "Lonely" is Bogie at his best and for some reason not mentioned like many of his others.
Because John Wayne acted so effortlessly , he's overlooked. He's the best in my opinion
RONALD REAGAN AND HIS YRS IN THE ""WHITE HOUSE"" PRES RONNIE, ""DUDD""
Great list. Shows how talented these were to have starred in so many different genres.
Interesting that the #2 Best Actor on this list, Cary Grant, was the only one of the ten never to win an acting Oscar. Says something about the Academy....
The Oscar is not for the "best actor" though even the Academy sometimes calls it that. It is for the "best performance by an actor in a lead role." Grant was a great actor but which of his roles would you rank above the winner for that year? Just for the record, Cary Grant is my favourite actor.
@@TedLittle-yp7uj For starters, his role in None But The Lonely Heart, 1944 (Bing Crosby won for Going My Way).