Top Ten Actors of the Last Twenty Years

How many great movies have you seen in the last twenty years? Now, how many of those movies had the same actor in them? If you are like me, the same fifteen names or so keep popping up. These guys are only being graded on performances from 1989 and on, so some of your favorites may not have made the cut. For your enjoyment, here are the top ten actors of the last twenty years:

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford pops in at number ten. He is mainly carried by his Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which was released just under the cut off in 1989. He had some great roles in the last few decades. He played Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. His most last great role though was as the President of the United States in Air Force One. Still, Mr. Ford remains one of the most entertaining actors in recent memory.

Kurt Russell

Surprised to see Kurt Russell on this list. You shouldn’t be. His run started with Tango & Cash in 1989, and only grew from there. He would appear in a little western called Tombstone, then head into space in Stargate. Then move on to roles in Executive Decision, and Miracle. Mr. Russell’s everyday guy persona sometimes leads to his being overlooked. But when it comes to a versatile actor, they don’t make them like Kurt Russell anymore.

Morgan Freeman

In 1989, Morgan Freeman played a principal in Lean on Me, and a driver for the favorite Driving Miss Daisy. Over the course of the next twenty years he would become synonymous with many iconic films appearing in The Shawshank Redemption, Kiss the Girls, and a little movie called The Dark Knight. Though he has quite a lengthly resume, it is rare to find anyone who dislikes Morgan Freeman on screen. The only real knock on his performances is that he is usually cast into a supporting role, no doubt he has the chops to lead a film though.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger was an interesting actor. I appreciated him in pretty much every role he played. He broke into the limelight in 10 Things I Hate About You. Of course he would go onto critical acclaim in Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight. Even taking the time to join the American Revolution in The Patriot. Though his roles are not vast in number, the quality he delivered is unmistakable. The movie world will miss Heath Ledger, as most of us already do.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire is most known for playing Peter Parker in the Spiderman movies. However some of his best roles were in The Cider House Rules and Seasbiscuit. The likable Maguire has a charm that is seldom seen on screen these days. The camera does truly love him. His affable nature keeps people buying tickets to his movies. As they say in Hollywood, a bankable star.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington always seems so refined. He carries himself in a way that exudes confidence. He broke into the time frame with The Pelican Brief. He would then move onto some great roles in Philadelphia and Man on Fire. Of course his recent American Gangster was magnificent, it seems like Mr. Washington only does great things.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon clicks in at number on this list for one reason primarily: Jason Bourne. Of course Good Will Hunting, School Ties, The Departed, and Oceans 11 do not hurt his resume very much. Mr. Damon shows off an impressive ability to shift back and forth from drama to action to comedy. He keeps us all hopping, and looking forward to the next twenty years.

Johnny Depp

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At number three we have the man responsible for bringing Captain Jack Sparrow to life in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. As if that billion dollar franchise was not enough to earn his ranking, Johnny Depp also provided some memorable performances in Sleepy Hollow and Donnie Brasco, and a host of other flicks. I look forward to seeing this guy several times in the next decade or so.

Will Smith

Will Smith has done it all over the last twenty years. Literally. He has saved the world from aliens twice in Independence Day and Men In Black. Fought off drug lords in Bad Boys, killer computers in I, Robot, and even saved the world from a disease in I Am Legend. Some us are starting to think he has more in common with Hancock than he admits. Will Smith keeps your attention, seems like he can do anything.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is the best actor of, at least, the last twenty years. His reign began in 1989 with Turner & Hooch. It would seem unlikely that role would lead to A League of Their Own, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, the list just grows and grows. Mr. Hanks has the kind of global appeal most movie stars are aiming for, he has become the stick to which all actors are measured. Congratulations Tom, you deserve it.

Before you all start leaving comments there are several honorable mentions for this list: Tom Cruise, Brendan Fraser, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Dustin Hoffman.  Special thanks to www.imdb.com for providing great information on the dates of the movies.