Speaking of movies.....who is your favorite actor of all time?

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I was just wondering, if you had to choose, who is your favorite actor of all time? (I'd say actor/actress, but now they are all calling themselves "actors" anyway. Can barely keep up with the current politically correct terms these days.)

I'd have to sift through all of my favorites, like Marlene Dietrich, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Anthony Hopkins.......and give the number one spot - on talent alone- to Al Pacino.

What say ye?

I agree about Al Pacino,although after all his cosmetic surgeries he now looks a bit strange,I wish older actors would just leave it be wrinkles and all..
Anthony Hopkins yes...
I just watched "Mr Jones"with Richard Gere and Lena Olin,saw a different side of his acting and he is one of my favourites.

I would say all time favorite is Richard Gere and Julia Roberts! :D

I think mine is Sean Connery. He has done so many great movies over his career.

Johnny Depp, Paul Newman and Robert Redford. I ain't pickin' among the three. :)

I really like Morgan Freeman for a male actor and for a female actress, I would have to say........................ah shoot I can't remember her name. Sandra Bullock!! I think! (She played in Miss Congeniality)

Cool thread, CF!!

got in narrowed down to

Denzel Washington
Gary Oldman
John Travolta
Sir :) Anthony Hopkins
Sidney Poitier
Jamie Fox(x?)
Al Pacino
Brad Pitt(for his acting....REALLY!! :D
Jack Nicholson
Nicholas Cage

I am noticing my list doesn't have any women on it and I wonder if this could be due to the fact that Hollywood seems to "retire" the ladies as they come into "their own".....any one care to comment?? Maybe I shouldn't hijack....(sorry!! :o )

Wait Kathy Bates!!! how could I forget her??!!

I'm sure I'll think of some more.....

I have many favourites but to add to the list with examples of fantastic roles they were in.

Daniel day Lewis - You MUST see My left foot - This IS one of the best dramatic performances EVER as far as I am concerned.

Edward Norton - American History X, The score (an average film but GREAT performance by Norton)

Sean Penn - Dead Man Walking

DeNiro - Awakenings

YES! Forgot about Ed Norton!! He was also incredible in Fight Club.

and DeNiro!! Cape Fear!!

I find it interesting that we all seem to like alot of the same actors/actresses, but for different performances. :thumbs up
also like Tom Hanks for his versatility.

Interesting thread, Cactus Flower! :thumbs up

Well, my favourites for male actors have already been mentioned
Robert DeNiro, Paul Newman and Sean Penn
For women - Meryl Streep comes to mind.
All have given so many outstanding performances in various films.


Sean Penn is absolutely brilliant in the very sad "Mystic River" - as is Tim Robbins.

I love Julia Roberts, I think she's amazing. Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock. (loved her in "The Net" and "While You Were Sleeping") Sorry, couldn't pick one.

Edward Norton is amazing! Sean Penn is also a great actor. How about
William H. Macy
Judd Law (in Gattica and The Talented Mr. Ripley)
Henry Fonda
Ian Holm (in Sweet Hereafter, directed by our own Atom Egoyan)
Gregory Peck and
Tom Cruise?

Contrarary to popular belief that Jack Nicolson is a good actor, I think he pretty much plays himself in all movies, same to Diane Keaton.

Tom Cruise is actually an amazing actor, he's been penalized because he's pretty. My new focus is Clive Owen, loved his performance in King Arthur and LOVED his rugged look. :p

I can't pick one either - Paul newman, Tom Cruise, Julia, Sally Fields (I like her, I really like her) - James Garner - (I LOVED Rockford!)

Edward Norton caught my eyes with his very first movie "Primal Fear". He made Gere look like an unidimentional puppet. I also loved him in People vs. Larry Flynt, great performance!

I'm really enjoying reading all of your replies! Thanks!

Marko - Have you seen the Daniel Day Lewis film called, I think, "Sins of the Father"? It was EXCELLENT, and that's a mouthful from me, considering I don't care for Daniel (no offense).

I honestly believe Sean Penn is one of the greatest actors in North America at the moment..
As for women,Sheryl Streep,Susan Sarandon,Diane Lane and cutsie Kate Hudson comes to mind :p

Same here, even though he gave an excellent performance on Gangs of New York. :evil:

Oh I almost forget Russell Crowe, oh he is good. Initially I thought he was full of it, even with his Oscar win on Gladiator and nomination on portral of the schizophrenic John Nash. It was until I watched him in Master of Commander that he had me convinced of his talent! I'm really looking forward to his new movie Cinderella Man.

I'm really enjoying reading all of your replies! Thanks!

Marko - Have you seen the Daniel Day Lewis film called, I think, "Sins of the Father"? It was EXCELLENT, and that's a mouthful from me, considering I don't care for Daniel (no offense).

The Movie is indeed Excellent..
but the name of the movie is, "In The Name Of The Father".
Music by U2, A true story of one of the many bombing incidents in 1970's Great Britan because of the IRA.

Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, and Clint Eastwood - but in their "trademark" roles. Jack has to be Jack with his lascivious eyes (not The Shining) and Clint has to be in a Dirty Harry or similar type of role - not playng with monkeys. But I do love Jack.

I would say all time favorite is Richard Gere and Julia Roberts!

have to agree with you. I LOVE Richard Gere. I just watched pretty woman the other night (my fav. movie). and I really love when they are in something together.

Ah, thank you, IronKnight.

This is a good Thread... problem is i personaly cant seem to come up with any One or 2 favorites..

but for starters..
1. Sir Anthony Hopkins
2. Sean Connery
3. Young Clint Eastwood until Unforgiven!
4. Bruce Willis
5. Samuel L. Jackson


i'll think of others!
http://www2.bunte.t-online.de/c/31/35/82/3135820,tid=i.jpg

My favourite male actor of all time would probably be Gregory Peck, believe it or not.

Captain Ahab in Moby Dick.

Cape Fear.

The Gunfighter - probably one of the top five westerns of all time. He played aging Jimmy Ringo.

12 O'Clock High

To Kill A Mockingbird - playing Atticus Finch.

On The Beach

The Big Country

The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit - often cited as the first examination of America's emerging post-war suburbia culture.

The Snows of Kiliminjaro

Roman Holiday

Peck was a commanding presence on screen. He played in some duds in his time but also some great movies and memorable characters.

Rick C
www.goldentales.ca

Another good actress- Susan Sarandon.

I love Pauly Shores! He's funny. Him and Johnny Depp!

I warned hubby that if I ever find Mel Gibson hiding under my bed, I won't kick him out (Mel). Hubby said it's ok - if I find him hiding under my bed!

LOL @ Glasslass! Hubby and I have our "lists" as well (you know, the list of people who, if they come knocking on your door looking for a one-night-stand, your partner has to quietly leave the room and never talk about it again ;) ). My list includes Orlando Bloom (OK, he's a little young for me, but just so cute!) and Brad Pitt. Hubby's list has Selma Hayak, and another person whose name escapes me right now. :p

*Ahem!* As for my favorite actor, I don't think there's any one actor out there who I absolutely "have to" see. It's the overall picture that will attract me, not the name on the marquee (unless it's Orlando or Brad, of course :D ).

If I found Mel Gibson hiding under my bed, I'm afraid I'd have to call the police. And an ambulance, since it's a waterbed and doesn't really have an "under" :D .

If only I could find Gerard Butler (in his role of The Phantom of The Opera)....IN my bed. Or standing beside it. Or possibly just anywhere in the bedROOM. Or just in the house. In the vicinity of the house, even.
Ok ok, I guess I meant "if only I could find Gerard Butler".

Sam Elliott and Sean Connery....





*Oh, heart be still....!*



AND.....the sound of their voice turns me to mush!

- James Garner - (I LOVED Rockford!)

I loved him too - but in Maverick. (I'm older than you are!)

I forgot another one--Kevin Spacey. He just rocks.

My favourite male actor has to be River Phoenix. Such a tragic waste - there is currently a campaign for him to receive a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. As for females...Julia Roberts. Every film that I've seen of hers has moved me - Pretty Woman, Erin Brokovich...and as for Stepmom! Pass the tissues! I also think Leonardo DiCaprio was good in This Boy's Life.

Might be way off topic, but I have read that if you want a star, you just have to buy it. There are some no name people who have stars...

I forgot another one--Kevin Spacey. He just rocks.
Ohhhh he is one of those actors that can do anything.
AMAZING talent. And I appreciate that he is not a "heartthrob", that perfect pretty-boy Hollywood stamp- and yet he gets fairly good billing anyway.

Prin- I don't mind hijacking in any of my threads. They read like a conversation to me, anyway, and conversations tend to pass from one subject to another. Off-topic comments are fine!
I hope that's not true about buying a star.....they don't have to be "nominated" or anything?

In River's case, he had to be nominated. I think they all do. Only one deceased celebrity can receive a star every time though. If River is chosen, then we will have five years to raise $15,000 so he actually gets it. But if the money is raised before the time is up, he gets it early. My friend Helene, who has organised lots of this and wrote to River's mother, is considering writing to Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Slater for donations, as they were both big fans of his.

I hope I explained this right. The website - www.thestarproject.tk - may explain things better :)