Highlighting the Top 16 Finishers of My 100 Favorite Actors Tournament
Welcome back to my favorite actors and actresses duology special. After the Instagram actor tournament wrapped up, life got a bit busy with prepping for paternity leave and a baby arriving, but we’re starting to get back in the swing of things, bringing you some highlights of the top 16 finishers from the tournament of my 100 favorite actors. Just like with the actresses, I’ll be giving my ranking of the actor all-time, my favorite performance of theirs, an honorable mention, my least favorite performance, and a performance that I still need to see. Thanks to everyone who voted in these polls, and be ready for a directing tournament in the near future.
16th Place – Forest Whitaker
My Rank: 78th
Favorite Performance: The Last King of Scotland – To call Whitaker’s performance one of the best performances of the 21st century might seriously be an understatement. He plays dictator Idi Amin with a commitment that makes the character truly chilling. He exhibits this belief in himself that makes the atrocities that he’s overseeing seem all the more villainous, and somehow you still almost want to root for him due to Whitaker’s sheer gravitas. It’s amazing, and if you haven’t seen the film, you need to check it out for one of the best acting performances of all time.
Honorable Mention: Andor – For those of you not caught up on the best show of the year, and the show that is heads and shoulders above anything else that Disney has yet put out in the Star Wars sphere, Forest Whitaker reprises his role from Rogue One, rebel radical Saw Gerrera, in a more fleshed out version of the eccentric character from the film. Whitaker gets to play in the space of this character as written by the skilled team behind the show, and it’s one of the standout supporting characters even with his limited screentime. He’s become an instant internet meme, and the character’s eventual destination in Rogue One makes so much sense with the development that he’s able to convey in just a few short scenes.
Least Favorite Performance: Vantage Point – While it’s been a while since I’ve watched the assassination attempt action/mystery thriller, I feel safe saying that it’s definitely the most underwhelmed I’ve been with Whitaker in a performance. He plays a tourist who gets caught up in the action with his camcorder, and it’s a fine performance, and probably one of the film’s more involved roles, but there’s just not enough for Whitaker to do to make it stand out as one of his better roles.
Performance I Need to See: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai – I’m not consistently high on Jim Jarmusch films, but a Forest Whitaker vehicle about a targeted mafia hitman who sees himself as a modern day samurai sounds like a film that’s right up my alley. When I get the chance, I’m definitely going to give this one a shot.
15th Place – Heath Ledger
My Rank: 55th
Favorite Performance: The Dark Knight – Is this the best villain performance of all time? Quite possibly, though there’s two more on this list that could give it a run for its money, but Ledger’s Joker changed the landscape of blockbuster villains for an entire decade at least. He takes a unique look at the character and etches his name in the annals of cinematic history from the first shot of the character standing on the street corner to his final moments hanging upside-down on a skyscraper still under construction. It’s a terrifying and thrilling performance that I never get tired of watching.
Honorable Mention: 10 Things I Hate About You – If you want to talk about actors with range, just look at Ledger’s portrayal of Patrick Verona next to his Joker. While there are certainly parallels in the pair’s distaste for authority figures, that’s the extent of the comparison. Ledger plays the supporting romantic interest in the film but steals the show in every single one of his scenes. His lip-synced performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” on the bleachers remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of high school movies.
Least Favorite Performance: The Patriot – Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy watching Roland Emmerich’s Revolutionary War film around the 4th of July most years, but Ledger’s turn as Benjamin’s (Mel Gibson) son Gabriel just strikes me as the flattest of all of his performances that I’ve had the chance to watch. It’s not bad; it’s just a one-note supporting action character turn that’s outshone by the actor’s other career performances and by those of some of the film’s supporting cast.
Performance I Need to See: Brokeback Mountain – If you read my actresses write-up, you’ll know that this film is one of the glaring blindspots in my filmography that I desperately need to remedy. I only ever hear great things about all the performances in this film, and Ledger’s is one that’s consistently receiving the most praise.
14th Place – Leonardo DiCaprio
My Rank: 24th
Favorite Performance: The Wolf of Wall Street – When it comes to unlucky years in the history of great performances, DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort has to rank near the top of the list, as he happened to have his best performance up against a career best performance from Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. McConaughey won out, but DiCaprio’s Belfort remains an unforgettable look at the corruption and greed at the heart of Wall Street and the American economic system. While the cautionary tale became perhaps a bit too inspirational for certain types of people, the character is played brilliantly and should be the performance that is most appreciated when DiCaprio decides to retire.
Honorable Mention: Django Unchained – Again, DiCaprio had the unfortunate luck of being in the film next to an all-time supporting turn from Christoph Waltz, but in the overall arc of their careers and the memories of cinema enthusiasts, I’d argue that Calvin Candy remains the more iconic character and performance in the film. DiCaprio gives us a top-2 Tarantino villain, and you can’t help but hate the man for all of his limited screen time. It’s an unforgettable performance made all the more so by the iconic breaking glass moment, and it deserves to be appreciated as such.
Least Favorite Performance: The Revenant – That’s right, Leo’s Oscar winning performance is my least favorite. Tom Hardy out-acts DiCaprio in this film, and I’d make an argument that at least two of the other performances that DiCaprio faced in this Oscar category did the same. While the physicality of the role is certainly solid, there’s no character that DiCaprio really has to portray as Hugh Glass. He just grunts and nods and looks vaguely pissed off for two-plus hours. It’s not that great, and the Oscar win cements it as one of the most egregiously overrated performances of all time, alongside Rami Malek’s win for Bohemian Rhapsody.
Performance I Need to See: The Aviator – DiCaprio always does great things when working with Scorsese, so I’m excited to see his portrayal of Howard Hughes across from Cate Blanchett.
13th Place – Philip Seymour Hoffman
My Rank: 21st
Favorite Performance: The Master – Hoffman plays cult leader beautifully in Paul Thomas Anderson’s thinly veiled interpretation of the early days of scientology. It’s this performance that’s equal parts chilling, human, and despotic, and he has so many great scenes and line deliveries that feel like could only have been delivered by Hoffman. The man was a brilliant actor, and this turn should convince you of that.
Honorable Mention: The Talented Mr. Ripley – For those of you confused about this inclusion, I’d encourage you to go back and give this film another watch and tell me that Hoffman’s brief time in this film don’t immediately change everything that’s going on in the best way possible. He steals the scene with just his vibe and energy, outshining the star-studded crew of actors that fill out the rest of the film. It’s a fantastic brief showcase that really showcases his range as an actor.
Least Favorite Performance: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – It’s not that Hoffman gives a particularly bad performance in this film – indeed, I’d be surprised if the man ever gave a “bad” performance – but this is definitely the weakest film in his filmography, and I can literally remember nothing that his character contributed to the story from my last watch.
Performance I Need to See: Capote – Don’t worry, it’s on the watchlist, and I have very little doubt that I’m going to love what Hoffman is doing in the film. It’s his Oscar-winning performance, and I believe that the Academy probably got it right in this case.
12th Place – Anthony Hopkins
My Rank: 16th
Favorite Performance: The Silence of the Lambs – Anyone who tells you that Hannibal Lecter is not one of the most iconic performances of all time is simply lying to you. The shortest screentime ever for a lead actor win, and I’m not sure that there’s ever been another lead acting performance more deserving than this. The man changed the game for villains and cemented himself as an all-time great in a dominant performance.
Honorable Mention: The Two Popes – Most people would probably have The Father here, and I definitely understand and even support that take, but I feel like I should take the time to celebrate a performance that I really enjoyed from a film that doesn’t always get the love that I feel it deserves. Hopkins plays former Pope Benedict XVI with a level of humanity that could easily have been left out in such a film, and because of his performance, the film takes on a deeper emotional core that leaves a real impact.
Least Favorite Performance: Transformers: The Last Knight – I know this film was just a paycheck for Hopkins, but man is it phoned in! The whole film is almost unwatchable with excessive cuts and ridiculous explosions, but Hopkins being a part of the film feels like a true slap in the face, and I’m sad that I had to watch him in it.
Performance I Need to See: The Elephant Man – Hopkins is typically brilliant, and a partnership with David Lynch is sure to result in a strong performance. Obviously, he’s not the film’s titular character, but I’m still intrigued to see how he does in the film.
11th Place – Tommy Lee Jones
My Rank: 15th
Favorite Performance: The Fugitive – This is Jones’s career-defining performance, and I love the entirety of what he gets to do in the film. Though Ford’s story is the catalyst for the film, Jones is the glue that holds it together with a no-nonsense personality and just the right amount of skepticism for a federal agent. You can tell that he was having a great time, and that certainly helps the film greatly.
Honorable Mention: No Country for Old Men – Arguably the culmination of Jones’s career, his turn as the crotchety old sheriff in the Coen Brothers’ Best Picture winner feels like the perfect casting choice, and his arc as a character gives the film its impact. Yes, Anton Chigurh is the most memorable piece of the film, but it doesn’t work without Jones grounding the whole thing.
Least Favorite Performance: Batman Forever – It’s not a huge secret that Jones did not have a great time making the third of the 90s Batman films, reportedly having a very difficult time getting along with his villainous co-star Jim Carrey. Jones plays the less dynamic villain Two-Face in the film, and though the character’s design and even some of Jones’s choices are fairly fun, I’m always left a bit disappointed with how the whole thing turned out. It also doesn’t help that he’s a recast of Billy Dee Williams from the earlier films, which I think would have been a more fun take on this version of the character.
Performance I Need to See: U.S. Marshals – Obviously, I’ve probably already seen the best version of this character from Jones in The Fugitive, but it feels a bit odd that I haven’t seen this particular film of his as yet. It’s on the watchlist, just a bit further down.
10th Place – Mads Mikkelsen
My Rank: 13th
Favorite Performance: Another Round – If you haven’t been struck by any international films, I’d encourage you to give Thomas Vinterberg’s film about teachers experimenting with day drinking a chance. Thanks in large part to Mikkelsen’s leading turn, the film is one of the most heartfelt and memorable films of the last decade. He plays disillusioned middle-aged teacher brilliantly and believably, and it’s one of the best performances of the decade so far.
Honorable Mention: The Hunt – Another partnership between Mikkelsen and Vinterberg featuring Mikkelsen as a struggling teacher, this film is a bit more difficult to watch, given the subject matter but is no less rewarding. Mikkelsen is again brilliant and heartbreaking as a teacher falsely accused of misconduct, and he plays the role with the same humanity that he brings to all of the grounded roles that he plays.
Least Favorite Performance: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – If you already forgot that Mads Mikkelsen played the main villain in the most recent Indiana Jones film, I could forgive you because I already have as well. The character is outshone by every other character in the film it feels like – through little to no fault of Mikkelsen, I feel urged to add. It’s a character without any real dynamic moment to make him more interesting than just a “bad guy” who wants the same thing that Indy is after.
Performance I Need to See: Pusher – Though he’s not the main character of the first of Nicholas Winding Refn’s trilogy, he reportedly steals the show to the extent that the next film features him basically as the main character. I’m a fan of some of Refn’s work, and I’m usually a fan of Mikkelsen, so I expect this one to be one of those underrated gems when I get around to seeing it.
9th Place – Tim Curry
My Rank: 11th
Favorite Performance: Clue – Anyone who watches Clue and comes away with anything but a phenomenal appreciation for Tim Curry’s capabilities as an actor must have watched the wrong film. The man displays brilliant comedic timing that feels almost unmatchable by anyone else in cinema. In particular his final monologue recounting the possible murder scenarios remains one of the single greatest moments in a mystery comedy of all time.
Honorable Mention: Muppet Treasure Island – Tim Curry playing Long John Silver is an inspired casting choice, and he feels, as has been pointed out multiple times on the internet, like just another one of the Muppets in the cast. He gives this brilliant character performance that remains one of the most iconic from my childhood and that I enjoy revisiting as I’ve aged into an adult.
Least Favorite Performance: Scary Movie 2 – Whether any performance in these films really counts as a “performance”, I’m not totally sure, but I will say that Curry’s character is the least memorable from the second of the Wayans Brothers’ horror comedy parodies, and that earns it my least favorite position in his filmography.
Performance I Need to See: The Rocky Horror Picture Show – I know it’s crazy that I haven’t even seen what most would call Curry’s most iconic performance, but I haven’t. Maybe this Halloween will be the time when I finally get to cross it off of my watchlist.
8th Place – Javier Bardem
My Rank: 39th
Favorite Performance: No Country for Old Men – Is there any question about Bardem’s best performance? Not to me. Anton Chigurh is one of the best portrayed characters in the history of cinema, and I don’t know that anyone could have played him as well as Javier Bardem. His ability to make that ridiculous wig into something so menacing and unforgettable marks him as one of the great actors of our time.
Honorable Mention: Dune: Part Two – Bardem’s turn as Stilgar in the second of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films is one of the best parts of the film. He showcases a capability for comedy that reminds the audience of his versatility, but he keeps the character grounded in the reality of the story, giving us a vision of the power of cults of personality, propaganda, and religion on even the most respectable of people.
Least Favorite Performance: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – I remember hearing that Bardem was playing the villain in the latest Pirates film and getting my hopes up for it. Unfortunately, the film ended up being the worst of the franchise so far, and Bardem was criminally underused, mostly just standing around looking vaguely upset and menacing. His character doesn’t have much to do, and he has no personality to speak of either, leaving me ultimately disappointed.
Performance I Need to See: The Sea Within – If there is a performance that could rival his turn as Chigurh, it’s probably his Oscar-nominated turn as a man advocating for his right to die. I think the topic is fascinating, and I know that Bardem will probably do it justice.
7th Place – Robin Williams
My Rank: 25th
Favorite Performance: Good Will Hunting – In one of my top five films of all time, Robin Williams is the heart that holds the thing together. He brings his humor and his care and humanity together brilliantly as the therapist who helps Will find his way to humanity. Every moment that Robin Williams is on the screen could be the best moment in the film, and the man fully earned the Oscar that he won for this role.
Honorable Mention: Dead Poets Society – “O Captain, my captain.” Again, Williams delivers a heartfelt turn in a deeply emotional coming-of-age film. As John Keating, he provides a template for what a supportive teacher can look like. He inspires his students and the audience to pursue our curiosity and passions and reminds us what the humanities are all about in the first place.
Least Favorite Performance: RV – This was a film that I watched more often than I’d care to admit as a child, and it’s definitely the weakest Robin Williams performance that I’ve seen. It’s a basic goofy dad role that could easily have been played by many others, and there’s not really much unique that Williams brings to the role. It’s a weak film that doesn’t give the master actor much opportunity to do anything.
Performance I Need to See: The Birdcage – One of the iconic comedies of the late 90s, this one has thus far escaped my viewing. Nonetheless, everything I hear about it tells me that I’ll love it, love Robin Williams in it, and love what it’s all about.
6th Place – Paul Newman
My Rank: 6th
Favorite Performance: Hud – Hud was my introduction to Paul Newman’s live action roles (I’d already seen Cars at that point), and I was blown away by the intricacy with which he played the titular antihero. It’s a masterclass performance in a masterful career, and I’d encourage anyone to check it out who wants to further explore the man’s filmography.
Honorable Mention: The Verdict – One of Newman’s later roles, he plays a glorified ambulance chaser of a lawyer who suddenly rediscovers the scruples that got him into the law to begin with. It’s a heartfelt turn that has some meat on its bones, diving into the complexities of life, healthcare, and interpersonal relationships. Newman dominates much of the film, but it’s designed that way, and I never grew tired of watching him.
Least Favorite Performance: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – I will admit to not having watched this film in more than five years, but I remember being underwhelmed with it on my earlier watches. It’s a simple western that’s more upbeat (despite the ending) than many of its contemporaries, and Newman is just fine as Butch Cassidy. He’s cool and vaguely badass, but it doesn’t feel like the uniquely Paul Newman roles that only he can fill.
Performance I Need to See: The Sting – I know that I just dogged on another Paul Newman/Robert Redford collaboration, but everything I hear about The Sting tells me that it’s much more up my alley. Con artists and heists sounds more like something with a bit of chops that Newman can definitely chew on and make his own.
5th Place – Jack Nicholson
My Rank: 4th
Favorite Performance: As Good as It Gets – Jack is an actor with a litany of fantastic performances in many genres, but I’ll admit to being completely floored by his darkly comedic turn in this romantic dramedy. He elevates the performances of his fellow actors in the film and plays a role that feels entirely unique to him – something that in the hands of any other actor would fall far short of the emotional and on-screen resonance that Jack brings to the character.
Honorable Mention: Batman – This is the second iteration of the Joker on this list, and while Jack’s isn’t perhaps quite as menacing or impactful on broader genres as Heath Ledger’s, it’s no less iconic. Dancing and vandalizing an art museum to Prince on a boom box, “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”, the smile. Jack took the iconic comic book villain and made him his own, and I’m glad that we live in a world where Jack Nicholson played the Joker.
Least Favorite Performance: Prizzi’s Honor – While I don’t know that it’s the worst performance Jack has ever given, I do know that it’s my least favorite film of his that I’ve seen. His portrayal of hitman Charley Partanna feels somewhat lackluster in comparison to the rest of his career, and the character is also vaguely problematic. It’s just not a film I’d necessarily put on a list of must-watch Jack performances.
Performance I Need to See: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – I know, I know. I need to watch this film ASAP, and I definitely agree with you. I don’t know how much I’ll love it, but if everyone else is to be believed, this will soon be one of my favorite movies of all time, thanks in large part to Jack Nicholson’s leading performance
4th Place – Christoph Waltz
My Rank: 99th
Favorite Performance: Inglourious Basterds – While Waltz’s overall career and body of work are not necessarily the most impressive, his turn as Hans Landa in Tarantino’s WWII fanfiction is one of the best supporting performances of all time. The man is terrifying in the best ways possible, and even if he had no scenes beyond the film’s opening moments, it’d still be an all-timer of a performance.
Honorable Mention: Django Unchained – While not quite as iconic as Col. Landa, Waltz’s second collaboration with Tarantino was no less critically successful. Dr. King Schultz is the heart of much of the violent western, and Waltz plays him as only he can, like a friendly and woke version of Hans Landa. It’s a joy to watch and really holds the film together.
Least Favorite Performance: Spectre – In one of the most underwhelming films of the last fifteen years (excluding the Dia de los Muertos sequence at the start), Waltz has the unfortunate luck of portraying an iconic Bond villain with very little to actually work with in terms of character. While I don’t know that he’s as underwhelming as Rami Malek in No Time to Die, the film around him is far more disappointing, and we’re left with a disappointing turn from an otherwise iconic actor.
Performance I Need to See: Downsizing – I know that Alexander Payne’s odd venture into sci-fi/activist filmmaking was met with some strong opinions on the part of many, but I feel like now that we’re removed from the misleading marketing schemes, I can go back to this film with a more open mind and hopefully appreciate it for what it is, including Christoph Waltz’s supporting performance.
3rd Place – Denzel Washington
My Rank: 1st
Favorite Performance: Malcolm X – While it might not be the most accurate portrayal of the person and actions of the divisive Civil Rights leader, Washington’s portrayal of the historical figure remains one of the most on-point in terms of energy and messaging. Obviously, the screenplay and direction from Spike Lee augment Washington’s performance greatly, but at the end of the day, it’s Denzel who bears the burden of making the film both informative and entertaining, and he succeeds on all fronts, as per usual.
Honorable Mention: Training Day – Everything about Alonzo seems designed with Denzel in mind, and he embodies the dirty cop fantastically. Every word out of his mouth has you hooked and wanting to know what’s coming next to the point that it’s easy to understand the power that he wields. The final monologue is obviously iconic, but I’d argue that it’s everything that leads to that moment that really won Denzel his Oscar; otherwise, it’s just a cool scene that people watch in highlights without any real supporting context.
Least Favorite Performance: Safe House – This is one of many films in a genre dubbed by one of my friends from college as “Denzel protecting something/someone from the sketchy white people”, and I’d argue that it’s one of the weaker films in that swath of the iconic actor’s career. On paper, the rapport between one of the all-time great actors and one of the all-time great banterers in Ryan Reynolds should be great, but it instead ends up feeling like a generic TNT Sunday afternoon movie, which is fine, except that Denzel is the GOAT.
Performance I Need to See: Philadelphia – Tom Hanks is obviously the standout of Philadelphia, but I feel like seeing this other side of Denzel’s performing capabilities will just add to my appreciation of the actor.
2nd Place – Al Pacino
My Rank: 2nd
Favorite Performance: The Godfather Part II – While he came into his own with The Godfather, it’s Part II that really gave Pacino the chance to flex his acting chops in the role of Michael Corleone. He plays the antihero mafia boss beautifully, leaning into his villainous side even more here in the sequel, setting up an excellent arc of the rise and fall of the chosen son of the Corleone family. It’s one of the best films of all time, and it couldn’t be the success that it is without Pacino.
Honorable Mention: Glengarry Glen Ross – Every performance in this film is a top 3 performance for the actors, and that remains true for Pacino as well. It’s refreshing to see him outside of the crime genre (on either side of the law), and he does a fantastic job with the play-like dialogue that the script offers him, presenting the ideal foil to Jack Lemmon’s leading performance.
Least Favorite Performance: Jack and Jill – If this was simply a throwaway cameo, I probably wouldn’t mention it here, but this is a full-on character in the terrible film that is Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill. Did Pacino probably have a great time playing himself in the film? Yeah. Did I enjoy watching it? No way.
Performance I Need to See: Dog Day Afternoon – This one is a film that’s been on my radar for a while, and I’m willing to bet that it can give most of Pacino’s performances a run for their money as a new favorite. It looks right up my alley, and I hope it ends up being that way.
1st Place – Robert De Niro
My Rank: 5th
Favorite Performance: The Godfather Part II – Like Pacino in the present as Michael, De Niro carries the flashback sequences that flesh out the story of Vito Corleone’s rise to power, and those in turn carry the film. De Niro is fantastic in every scene, bringing gravitas and sincerity to the role, arguably surpassing the performance of Marlon Brando as his older counterpart in the first film.
Honorable Mention: Mean Streets – Most De Niro performances are honorable mentions if we’re being honest, but this early collaboration with Scorsese sets the tone for the kind of unhinged that De Niro has the capability of playing. He steals every scene that he’s in and gives the film the life that it needs to make it to its inevitable conclusion. It’s a wild and impressive performance.
Least Favorite Performance: Grudge Match – In his old age, De Niro hasn’t always selected the best projects, and the film about a boxing match between two old rivals – played by De Niro and Sylvester Stallone – makes for a very average family sports film. It’s not the worst film I’ve ever seen, and I do think that De Niro does a lot to help make the film as good as it is, but it’s just not great, and so much of what he does is in fact great.
Performance I Need to See: Raging Bull – I’ve heard many argue that this is one of the single greatest male performances of all time, and I still haven’t gotten around to watching it for myself. I have very little doubt that I’ll enjoy it. I just need to prioritize getting around to it.
