Every movie enthusiast has a favorite actor or actress. Whenever they get picked for a new role, you already know that the film will be a hit. Over the years, there have been several movie stars who have consistently made amazing films. Below is a quick roundup of some of the greatest actors and actresses of all time.
1. Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan is the most popular martial arts actor of all time. He debuted in 1962 in a movie called Big and Little Wong Tin Bar. From there, he landed roles in mind-blowing films like Drunken Master, Police Story, and the Rush Hour franchise.
The movie star is so dedicated to acting that he has broken many bones while filming. Throughout his career, Jackie Chan has won many awards. Quick examples include an Honorary Academy Award in 2016 and the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Having recently turned 70, Jackie is still active in the film industry.
2. Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkin’s rise to fame started when he played Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, released in 1991. However, he had been in the game for a long time as he started acting in the 1960s.
Unlike most actors on this list who love to play heroes, Anthony Hopkins is best known for playing the villain. That is evident in his other films, such as Hannibal and Red Dragon. Like Jackie Chan, Anthony Hopkins is a very consistent actor. In his 60s, the star appeared as Odin in the Thor franchise. Anthony Hopkins also featured in The Father, released in 2020 and won an Oscar for Best Actor.
3. Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations in the acting category. She was nominated a whopping 21 times and won three of them. The actress is mostly remembered for her role in The Devil Wears Prada. But besides that, Meryl Streep also participated in other films like Julie & Julia and Mamma Mia.
One of the things that makes the actress stand out is how versatile she is. She has appeared in comedies, musicals, and dramas throughout her career. In 2022, she was featured in two movies: Entergalactic and Sell/Buy/Date, all of which can be considered successful.
4. James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is celebrated as one of the best actors not just in the US but worldwide. Most people remember him from voicing Darth Vader. Earl’s first breakthrough was in the film Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, where he played Lieutenant Lothar Zogg.
After his success in the Star Wars franchise, James also voiced Mufasa in The Lion King released in 2019. In the 90s, he acted as King in the comedy film Coming to America featuring Eddy Murphy.
5. Donald Sutherland
Younger audiences got to witness Donald’s talent in the Hunger Games franchise. However, this iconic Canadian actor consistently released great movies. Donald’s career dates back to The Dirty Dozen, released in 1967. Because of his height, producers started featuring him in war films such as M*A*S*H. Donald Sutherland got other roles in awesome movies like Cold Mountain and The Italian Job. Unfortunately, the legendary actor never won an Academy Award. He was given an Honorary Oscar in 2018.
6. Samuel L Jackson
Sam L Jackson is famous for cursing on TV. He loves to play mean, a feature that immensely contributes to his wide fan base. Since 1972, Samuel L Jackson has appeared in lots of movies. Older audiences may remember him from films such as Snakes on a Plane, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown.
Younger audiences may have seen Sam L Jackson in Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, and Hitman’s Wife Bodyguard. In 2024, Samuel appeared in Damaged, Piano Lesson, and The Garfield Movie.
7. Christopher Lee
Even though Christopher passed away in 2015, he’s one of the most consistent actors ever. He mostly landed villain roles in movies. Most people remember Christopher for bringing Dracula to life in the Dracula movie aired in 1958. Before that, he had played the monster in The Curse of Frankenstein. At the beginning of the 21st century, Christopher played Count Dooku in Star Wars. Christopher has been a part of blockbusters such as The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
8. Danny Trejo
In every movie, Danny Trejo is always the bad guy. This has amassed him a lot of fame amongst movie enthusiasts. Danny’s career is quite interesting. He spent most of his youth life in jail, and after being released, he enrolled in a 12-step rehab program, where he turned his life around.
In 1985, Danny Trejo landed a role in the Runaway Train. He later became one of Robert Rodrigues’s favorite actors and was featured in movies like Desperado, Spy Kids, and Machete. In 2021, he won Best Actor in the First Quarter Bronze Awards.
9. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman plays the character of God so well that most people assume that’s how God may look like. Examples of films in which he has taken this majestic role include Glory, Now You See Me, and Bruce Almighty.
Besides playing God, Morgan Freeman has an amazing voice, which has landed him narrating roles in films like War of the Worlds and Batman Begins. His unique voice has also been featured in award-winning documentaries like March of the Penguins. He has won more than 10 major awards.
10. Dame Maggie Smith
Dame Maggie Smith is well known for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise and Violet Crowley in Downtown Abbey. Even though she has recently passed away, Dame will never be forgotten for her raw talent and on-screen dominance. She won three Golden Globes, five SAG awards, and two Academy Awards throughout her career. Her humble attitude is well depicted in her movies as well as in real life.