Top 24 Best Living American Actors

Some individuals are simply born with talent. However, there are a few actors in particular that you might not know who have mastered their craft. Knowing that one actor is better than another is completely subjective, but it can still be fun to rank them and see what comes out on top! We’ve picked 24 great actors who we think deserve recognition for their talent, versatility, and work ethic.

1. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks	Information
Full Name	Tom Hanks
Birthdate	July 9, 1956
Birthplace	Concord, California, U.S.
Citizenship	United States, Greece
Alma Mater	Chabot College
Occupations	Actor, Filmmaker
Years Active	1977–present
Works	List of performances
Spouses	Samantha Lewes (m. 1978; div. 1987), Rita Wilson (m. 1988)
Children	4, including Colin and Chet
Relatives	Jim Hanks (brother), Larry Hanks (brother)
Awards	AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom, French Legion of Honor, Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
Film Gross	Grossed over $4.9 billion in North America and over $9.96 billion worldwide
Box Office Rankings	Fourth-highest-grossing actor in North America
Academy Awards	Won Best Actor for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994)
Collaborations	Worked with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Nora Ephron, Robert Zemeckis
Notable Films	Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Captain Phillips
Television Work	Primetime Emmy Awards for producing various limited series and television movies
Tony Award Nomination	Nominated for Best Actor in a Play for Lucky Guy
Early Life	Born in California, raised in a family that moved frequently during his childhood
Education	Studied theater at Chabot College and California State University, Sacramento
Personal Life	Married to Rita Wilson since 1988, four children, including Colin and Chet

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born in 1956. He is an American actor and filmmaker.

In 1988. He has since made several cinematic appearances, including ‘Catch Me if You Can’, ‘Castaway’, ‘The Green Mile, and many more. Hanks is also an accomplished director who won an Academy Award for directing “Philadelphia” in 1993.

2. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr	Information
Full Name	Robert John Downey Jr.
Birthdate	April 4, 1965
Birthplace	New York City, U.S.
Education	Santa Monica High School
Occupations	Actor, Producer
Years active	1970–present
Works	Extensive Filmography
Spouses	Deborah Falconer (m. 1992; div. 2004), Susan Levin (m. 2005)
Partner	Sarah Jessica Parker (1984–1991)
Children	3
Parent	Robert Downey Sr. (father)
Influential Figure	Named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world
Highest-Paid Actor	Listed as Hollywood’s highest-paid actor by Forbes from 2013 to 2015
Early Career Success	Achieved critical and popular success in his youth
Comeback	Experienced a resurgence of commercial success later in his career
Career Highlights	Known for portraying Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Golden Globe Winner	Received a Golden Globe Award for his role in the TV series “Ally McBeal”
Substance Abuse Recovery	Overcame substance abuse issues and has maintained sobriety since 2003

Robert Downey Jr. was born in 1965. He is an American actor whose career has included:

• Critical and popular success in his youth.
• A period of substance abuse and legal difficulties.
• A resurgence of commercial success in middle age.

He starred as the title character in the 1992 film ‘Chaplin’ for which he received an Academy Award nomination.

If you are wondering how tall is the American actor Robert Downey Jr, check out this article Robert Downey Jr. Height, where we find out that he stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches, which is considered average for men in the US.

3. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L Jackson	Information
Full Name	Samuel Leroy Jackson
Birthdate	December 21, 1948 (age 74)
Birthplace	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Citizenship	United States, Gabon
Education	Morehouse College (BA)
Occupations	Actor, producer
Years Active	1972–present
Spouse	LaTanya Richardson (m. 1980)
Children	1
Highest-Grossing Actor	Samuel L. Jackson is the highest-grossing actor of all time, with his films collectively grossing over $27 billion worldwide.
Notable Performances	Breakout role as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), portrayal of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Tony Award nomination for The Piano Lesson revival.
Collaborations	Extensive collaborations with director Spike Lee in films like Do the Right Thing (1989) and Jungle Fever (1991).
Voice Acting	Provided the voice for Lucius Best / Frozone in The Incredibles (2004) and Incredibles 2 (2018).
Personal Background	Partial descent from the Benga people of Gabon and became a naturalized citizen of Gabon in 2019. Involved in civil rights protests during his college years and attended Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.

Samuel Leroy Jackson was born in 1948. He is an American actor and film producer. Jackson has appeared in over 100 films. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a boxer in ‘Pulp Fiction’ in 1994, but he lost to Jeremy Irons for ‘Reversal of Fortune. In 2003 he won the “Best Actor” award at the National Movie Awards after receiving nominations from many others.

4. Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford	Information
Full Name	Harrison Ford
Born	July 13, 1942
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	American Actor
Years active	1964–present
Works	Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, and more
Spouses	Mary Marquardt, Melissa Mathison, Calista Flockhart
Children	5
Awards	AFI Life Achievement Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Honorary César, and more
Vice Chair of Conservation International	Current holder (Assumed position 1991)
Notable Films	Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Witness, The Fugitive, and more
Television Series	1923 (2022–present), Shrinking (2023–present)
Other Contributions	Licensed pilot, environmental activist, philanthropist
Education	Ripon College (Philosophy major)

Harrison Ford was born in 1942. He is a producer and performer in American movies. He gained worldwide fame for his starring roles as Han Solo in the original “Star Wars” trilogy and the title character of the “Indiana Jones” series. Ford is one of Hollywood’s highest-grossing 

If you’re a fan of Harrison Ford, you might be interested in checking out the list of the top 50 richest actors in the world to see where he stands. Ford is known for his iconic roles in movies such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and he’s widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. See which other actors have made it to the top 50 richest list and how much they are worth.

5. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman	Information
Full Name	Morgan Freeman
Birthdate	June 1, 1937
Birthplace	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Education	Broad Street High School
Occupations	Actor, producer, narrator
Years active	1964–present
Organization	Revelations Entertainment
Spouses	Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (m. 1967; div. 1979)
Children	4
Voice Sample	Morgan Freeman’s voice from BBC Radio 4’s The Film Programme, September 12, 2008.

Morgan Freeman was born in 1937. He is an American actor. He starred as Perry White in the first three “Batman” films and many more, but he isn’t just a star of movies. He is not simply a movie celebrity, having been in the “Batman” flicks and many more. Additionally, Freeman acted in several science fiction films, such as “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the same performance, and “Gravity” (2013), for which he received a third nomination.q

6. Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones	Information
Full Name	Tommy Lee Jones
Birthdate	September 15, 1946 (age 76)
Birthplace	San Saba, Texas, U.S.
Alma Mater	Harvard University (AB)
Occupations	Actor, Film Director
Years Active	1969–present
Notable Awards	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (The Fugitive), Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards
Notable Works	Men in Black series, The Fugitive, No Country for Old Men, Lincoln, JFK, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Captain America: The First Avenger, Ad Astra
Spouses	Katherine Lardner, Kimberlea Cloughley, Dawn Laurel
Children	2
Residence	Terrell Hills, Texas, U.S.
Other Interests	Polo, San Antonio Spurs fan
Ranch	3,000-acre cattle ranch in San Saba County, Texas
Language Skills	Fluent in English and Spanish

Tommy Lee Jones was born in 1946. He is an American actor and filmmaker. He acted in various films in the 1980s and 1990snotable films, including “The Right Stuff”, “No Country for Old Men”, “Lonesome Dove,” and the romantic comedy-drama “Hope Floats”. In 1995, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in “The Fugitive”.

If you’re a fan of the veteran actor, Tommy Lee Jones, you might be interested in learning about other famous actors from Texas. Check out this list of 50 Famous People Born In Texas and see if your favorite actors made the cut.

7. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp	Information
Full Name	Johnny Depp
Born	June 9, 1963
Birthplace	Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, musician, film producer, writer
Years Active	1984–present
Spouses	Lori Allison (m. 1983; div. 1985), Amber Heard (m. 2015; div. 2017)
Partner(s)	Sherilyn Fenn (1985–1988), Winona Ryder (1989–1993), Kate Moss (1994–1998), Vanessa Paradis (1998–2012)
Children	2, including Lily-Rose
Awards	Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Academy Award nominations, BAFTA Award nominations
Musical Career	Genres: Alternative rock, hard rock Instrument(s): Guitar, vocals Labels: Republic, Capitol Band: Hollywood Vampires
Notable Films	A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Platoon (1986), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Pirates of the Caribbean series (2003–2017)
Collaborations	Tim Burton collaborations: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Commercial Success	Pirates of the Caribbean series, Chocolat (2000), Finding Neverland (2004), Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Legal Controversies	Highly publicized divorce from Amber Heard and defamation cases
Personal Background	Native American ancestry claims, musical background, childhood and family
Other Notable Projects	Founded his production company, Infinitum Nihil

Johnny Depp was born in 1963. He is an American musician, actor, and producer. He has won the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and British Academy Film Award for his performances in films such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” (2001), “Donnie Brasco” (1997), “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), “Ed Wood” (1994), “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, 

“Cry-Baby”, and “Public Enemies”.

8. Al Pacino

Al Pacino	Information
Full Name	Al Pacino
Birthdate	April 25, 1940
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma Mater	Actors Studio, HB Studio
Occupations	Actor, film director
Years Active	1967–present
Partners	Jill Clayburgh, Tuesday Weld, Marthe Keller, Kathleen Quinlan, Lyndall Hobbs, Beverly D’Angelo, Lucila Polak, Noor Alfallah
Children	4
Awards	Academy Award, Tony Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, Cecil B. DeMille Award, AFI Life Achievement Award, National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors
Notable TV Projects	Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack, Hunters
Directing Career	Looking for Richard, Chinese Coffee, Wilde Salomé, Salomé
Theater Career	Tony Awards for Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel

Al Pacino was born in 1940. He is an American actor and filmmaker whose career has included leading roles in numerous feature films, such as “The Godfather” trilogy (1972-1974), “The Godfather Part II” (1974), “The Godfather Part III” (1990) and other films, such as “Donnie Brasco”, “Heat”, and “Scarface”. He has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

If you’re a fan of Al Pacino’s work, you might be curious about his height. Check out the Al Pacino Height article for details on how tall this iconic American actor really is.

9. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood	Information
Full Name	Clint Eastwood
Born	May 31, 1930 (age 93)
Birthplace	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, Film Director, Film Producer, Composer
Notable Roles	“Man with No Name” in Sergio Leone’s “Dollars Trilogy”
Awards and Honors	Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Picture for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby
Spouses	Maggie Johnson (m. 1953; div. 1984)
Domestic Partners	Sondra Locke (1975–1989)
Children	At least 8, including Kyle, Alison, Scott, and Francesca
Military Service	United States Army
Years of Service	1951–1953

Clint Eastwood was born in 1930 and is a famous American actor and director. He began his career with roles in television programs and then starred in over 80 movies during his 50-year career. He is considered one of the best actors in American cinema, and his films “Every Which Way but Loose” (1978) and “In the Line of Fire” (1993) are among his most acclaimed.

10. Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton	Information
Full Name	Michael Keaton
Birthdate	September 5, 1951
Birthplace	Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma Mater	Kent State University
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1975–present
Spouse	Caroline McWilliams (1982-1990)
Partner	Courteney Cox (1990-1995)
Children	Sean Douglas
Known For	Leading roles in a variety of genre films
Notable Films	Beetlejuice, Batman, Birdman, Spotlight
Superhero Roles	Batman / Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards
TV Success	Primetime Emmy Award for Dopesick
Career Resurgence	Golden Globe Award for Birdman, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Voice Roles	Cars, Toy Story 3, Minions
National Honor	Officer of Order of Arts and Letters in France
Cultural Background	Irish, Scottish, Scotch-Irish, German, English
Education	Montour High School

Michael John Douglas Keaton was born in 1951 and is an American actor, producer, and director. Some of his most acclaimed films include “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Batman” (1989), “Clean and Sober” (1988), “Jackie Brown” (1997), and the thriller remake “The Taking of Pelham 123” in 2009. He also co-starred in 3 films that earned over $100 million each on their total U.S.

If you’re a fan of Michael Keaton’s acting and want to know more about his career, check out Hood MWR’s article on his co-star in Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder. The article not only discusses her role in the film but also delves into her career as a whole. It’s a great read for anyone interested in film and television.

11. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio	Information
Full Name	Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
Birthdate	November 11, 1974
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, Film Producer
Years active	1989–present
Organizations	Appian Way Productions, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
Title	United Nations Messenger of Peace
Partners	Gisele Bündchen, Bar Refaeli, Camila Morrone
Parent	George DiCaprio
Awards	Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe Awards
Films Grossed Worldwide	Over $7.2 billion
Career Breakthrough	“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Romeo + Juliet,” “Titanic”
Collaboration with Director	Martin Scorsese
Acclaimed Performances	“The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond,” “The Departed,” “The Revenant”
Environmental Activism	Founder of Appian Way Productions and Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
Humanitarian Work	United Nations Messenger of Peace, supports charitable causes
Recognitions	Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Legacy	Voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time

Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born in 1974, and he is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood right now. His films are just as well received as his onscreen performances and include “The Aviator” (2004), “Inception” (2010), “Gangs of New York” (2002), “Titanic” (1997), and “The Departed” (2006).

12. Will Smith

Will Smith	Information
Full Name	Willard Carroll Smith II
Born	September 25, 1968
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other Names	The Fresh Prince
Occupations	Actor, Rapper, Film Producer
Years Active	1985–present
Organizations	Westbrook, Overbrook Entertainment
Agents	Creative Arts Agency, James Lassiter
Works	Filmography, Discography
Spouses	Sheree Zampino (m. 1992; div. 1995), Jada Pinkett (m. 1997)
Children	3, including Jaden and Willow
Awards	Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Grammy Awards
Musical Career	Genre: Pop-rap
Labels	Interscope, Columbia, RCA, Jive
Formerly of	DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Willard Carroll Smith Jr. is an actor, producer, and rapper born in 1968. He has found success in the media of music, cinema, and television. He was dubbed the world’s most powerful actor by Newsweek in April 2007. Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and four Grammy Awards.

If you are curious about the height of Will Smith, you’re not alone. It’s been a topic of discussion for many fans. Learn all about Will Smith’s height and find out how he measures up against other celebrities.

13. Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson	Information
Full Name	Jack Nicholson
Birthdate	April 22, 1937
Birthplace	Neptune City, New Jersey, U.S.
Education	Manasquan High School
Occupations	Actor, filmmaker
Years active	1955–2010
Works	Extensive filmography including “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “As Good as It Gets,” “Chinatown,” “The Shining,” “The Departed,” and “The Bucket List”
Spouse	Sandra Knight (m. 1962; div. 1968)
Partners	Anjelica Huston (1973–1990), Rebecca Broussard (1989–1994), Lara Flynn Boyle (1999–2004)
Children	6, including Lorraine and Ray
Awards	Three-time Academy Award winner (Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor), three BAFTA Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award
Recognition	Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time
Notable Films	“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “As Good as It Gets,” “Chinatown,” “The Shining,” “The Departed,” “The Bucket List,” and more
Directing Career	Directed three films: “Drive, He Said” (1971), “Goin’ South” (1978), and “The Two Jakes” (1990)
Academy Awards	Most nominated male actor in the history of the Academy Awards with 12 nominations
Family Background	Raised by grandparents, discovered his mother was his sister in 1974
Military Service	Served in the California Air National Guard from 1957 to 1962
Breakthrough Role	Portrayed George Hanson in “Easy Rider” (1969), earning his first Oscar nomination

John Joseph Nicholson, Jr. was born in 1937. He is a well-known American actor and producer who has worked in over one hundred films. His best-known roles include “The Shining” (1980), “Easy Rider” (1969), and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975). He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a psychopathic killer in the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.

14. James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones	Information
Full Name	James Earl Jones
Born	January 17, 1931 (age 92)
Birthplace	Arkabutla, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1953–present
Notable Works	“The Great White Hope” (1968) “Fences” (1987) “Star Wars” franchise “The Lion King” (1994)
Awards	Three Tony Awards Two Emmy Awards One Grammy Award Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame
Spouses	Julienne Marie (m. 1968; div. 1972) Cecilia Hart (m. 1982; died 2016)
Children	1
Parent	Robert Earl Jones (father)
Voice Sample	Recorded December 2009 from the BBC Radio 4 program Front Row
Education	University of Michigan (BA)
Notable Performances	– Portrayed Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus, and King Lear in various Shakespeare plays
Filmography	– Made film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
Personal Background	– Overcame childhood stutter through poetry and acting

James Earl Jones was born in 1931. The American actor has performed in numerous films, television shows, and plays. He is well recognized for lending his voice to Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King” and its follow-ups and Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” film series.

As a child acting career, he appeared on Broadway at age 12, playing the role of a slave child opposite Shirley Temple in the short-lived show “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”.

Considered one of the greatest actors of all time, James Earl Jones has an unmistakable voice and a commanding presence on stage and screen. With an extensive list of acting credits that includes iconic roles such as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, Jones has cemented his place in Hollywood history.

15. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt	Information
Full Name	Brad Pitt
Birthdate	December 18, 1963
Birthplace	Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, Film Producer
Years Active	1987-present
Spouses	Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie
Children	6
Alma Mater	University of Missouri
Awards	Academy Awards: 2, BAFTA Awards: 2, Golden Globe Awards: 2, Primetime Emmy Award: 1
Influence and Power	Cited as one of the most powerful and influential people in the American entertainment industry
Notable Films	Thelma & Louise, Legends of the Fall, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moneyball
Film Production	Co-founder of Plan B Entertainment
Sex Symbol Status	Widely regarded as one of the world’s most attractive men
Personal Life	Divorced from Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, has six children with Jolie
Early Life	Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, raised in Missouri, attended the University of Missouri

William Bradley Pitt was born in 1963 and is an American actor and producer. He received a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three Academy Award nominations in acting categories. He was named one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine in 2005. As a cowboy hitchhiker, Pitt first became public attention in the road movie “Thelma & Louise” (1991).

16. Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi	Information
Full Name	Steve Buscemi
Birthdate	December 13, 1957
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma Mater	Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Years Active	1983-present
Notable Films	Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, The Big Lebowski
Collaborations	Coen Brothers: Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski
Television Series	Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos, 30 Rock
Awards and Nominations	Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Emmy nominations
Directing Career	Trees Lounge, Interview, Animal Factory
Voice Work	Monsters, Inc. franchise, Hotel Transylvania franchise

Steven Vincent Buscemi was born in 1957 and is an American actor and filmmaker. He has appeared in more than forty films, including “Reservoir Drifters” (1994), which was a large project for him, “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Armageddon” (1998), and “Ghost World”, for which he won numerous awards, including the Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actor Award.

If you’re a fan of Steve Buscemi, you might be interested in checking out our list of famous friends of Adam Sandler. Steve and Adam have worked together on several films, including “The Wedding Singer” and “Grown Ups”.

17. Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington	Information
Full Name	Denzel Washington
Born	December 28, 1954 (age 68)
Birthplace	Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Education	Fordham University (BA)
Occupations	Actor, Producer, Director
Years Active	1975–present
Spouse	Pauletta Pearson (m. 1983)
Children	4, including John David
Awards	2 Academy Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 1 Tony Award
Honors	Presidential Medal of Freedom
Notable Achievements	Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award (2016)
Notable Films	Glory, Malcolm X, Training Day, The Hurricane
Stage Achievements	Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Fences (2010)

In 1954, Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born. And is an actor and film director. Mount Vernon, New York, is where Washington was born. When his family moved, he was 14 years old and moved to Iowa City, Iowa; he was then nicknamed “Denny” by his new classmates. He has received two Golden Globe awards, a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in the film “Training Day”.

18. John Malkovich

John Malkovich	Information
Full Name	John Malkovich
Birthdate	December 9, 1953
Birthplace	Christopher, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, filmmaker, theatre director, fashion designer
Years Active	1976–present
Spouse	Glenne Headly (m. 1982; div. 1988)
Partner	Nicoletta Peyran (1989–present)
Children	2
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award, Academy Award nominations, BAFTA Award,
Notable Films	Places in the Heart, In the Line of Fire, Dangerous Liaisons,
Notable TV Roles	Primetime Emmy Award for Death of a Salesman, RKO 281, Napoléon,
Fashion Company	Founder of Mrs. Mudd fashion company, designer of “Uncle Kimono”

John Gavin Malkovich

 was born in 1953 and is an actor, producer, and director. He is well known as a character actor. His films include “Places in the Heart” (1984), “In the Line of Fire” (1993), “Of Mice and Men” (1992), and “Con Air” (1997).

Enhance your knowledge on 90s actors by checking out the 50 most famous 90s actors of all time section. Discover the iconic actors who defined the movie industry in the 90s, from Tom Hanks to Julia Roberts, and explore their remarkable performances and achievements.

19. Gary Sinise

Gary Sinise	Information
Full Name	Gary Alan Sinise
Birthdate	March 17, 1955
Birthplace	Blue Island, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1973–present
Notable work	George Milton in “Of Mice and Men”
Spouse	Moira Harris (m. 1981)
Children	3
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award
Humanitarian Work	Extensive involvement with charitable organizations
Theater Career	Co-founder of Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Film Career	Directed and produced the film adaptation of “Of Mice and Men”
Television Career	Golden Globe winner for portraying Harry S. Truman in “Truman”
Humanitarian Efforts	Numerous awards and honors for humanitarian work and support of Iraqi children
Other Interests	Devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears

Gary Alan Sinise was born in 1955 and is an actor, film director, and musician. He has appeared in such films as “Rudy” (1993), “Forrest Gump” (1994), “Mystic River” (2003), “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997), and “Apollo 13” (1995), for which he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.

20. Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix	Information
Full Name	Joaquin Rafael Phoenix
Birthdate	October 28, 1974
Birthplace	Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Other Names	Leaf Phoenix
Occupations	Actor, producer, activist
Years Active	1982–present
Partner	Rooney Mara
Children	1
Parent	Arlyn Phoenix (mother)
Relatives	River Phoenix (brother), Rain Phoenix (sister), Liberty Phoenix (sister), Summer Phoenix (sister)
Awards	Academy Award, BAFTA, Grammy, two Golden Globe Awards
Recognitions	Named one of the greatest actors of the 21st century
Notable Films	Gladiator, Walk the Line, Her, Joker
Philanthropy	Animal rights activism, vegan lifestyle advocate, producer of documentaries on global meat consumption
Relationship Status	In a relationship with Rooney Mara, engaged with one child

Joaquín Rafael Phoenix was born in 1974 and is an American actor and musician. He began working in television and film in the early 1990s, appearing in several television roles as a child actor. He landed his first major role as the title character in “To Die For” (1995). In 1998, he gave a critically acclaimed performance in “Gladiator”.

If you are looking for more inspiring celebrities, check out our article on top 50 inspiring cleft lip and palate celebrities. Joaquin Phoenix may have a prominent scar above his upper lip, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the most talented actors of our time. Learn about other famous personalities who have overcome similar challenges to achieve their dreams.

21. Bill Murray

Bill Murray	Information
Full Name	Bill Murray
Born	September 21, 1950
Place of Birth	Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Alma Mater	Loyola Academy
Occupations	Actor, Comedian
Years Active	1973–present
Spouses	Margaret Kelly (m. 1981; div. 1996) Jennifer Butler (m. 1997; div. 2008)
Children	6
Relatives	Brian Doyle-Murray (brother) Joel Murray (brother)
Awards	BAFTA Award, 2 Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Award, 2 Independent Spirit Awards, Academy Award nomination
Collaborations	Directors: Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Jim Jarmusch
Accolades	Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2016)
Rise to Fame	The National Lampoon Radio Hour, Saturday Night Live
Notable Roles	Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Rushmore
Recent Projects	Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Early Life	Raised in Wilmette, Illinois, in an Irish Catholic family
Education	Attended Loyola Academy
Directorial Debut	Quick Change (co-directed with Howard Franklin)

William James Murray was born in 1950 and is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live as a member of the offbeat comedy troupe, “The Groundlings”, which he co-founded with Gary Kroeger in 1974.

22. Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg	Information
Full Name	Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg
Birthdate	June 5, 1971
Birthplace	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, producer, businessman, rapper
Years active	1989–present
Works	Extensive filmography and discography
Spouse	Rhea Durham (married in 2009)
Children	4
Relatives	Donnie Wahlberg (brother), Jim Wahlberg (brother), Robert Wahlberg (brother), Paul Wahlberg (brother)
Awards	Numerous accolades and recognitions
Also known as	Marky Mark
Genres	Diverse range including hip hop, Eurodance, R&B, pop, new jack swing
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Labels	Previously associated with Interscope and Atlantic
Formerly of	Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, New Kids on the Block

Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He came to international attention as a rapper for the groups Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and later for his 1995 hit single “Good Vibrations”. Wahlberg then turned his focus to acting and quickly rose to fame in the late 1990s and 2000s with films such as “Boogie Nights”, “She’s All That”, “The Perfect Storm”, “Be Cool” (2003), and “Rock Star” (2001).

Looking for insights about famous actor’s height? Check out our article on Mark Wahlberg’s height. Get to know the exact height of this American renowned actor, and how it compares to other male celebrities.

23. Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey	Information
Full Name	Matthew David McConaughey
Birthdate	November 4, 1969
Birthplace	Uvalde, Texas, U.S.
Alma Mater	University of Texas at Austin
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1991–present
Breakout Role	Dazed and Confused
Notable Films	Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar
Awards	Academy Award for Best Actor (Dallas Buyers Club)
Television	True Detective
Published Works	Autobiography: Greenlights
Spouse	Camila Alves
Children	3
Ancestry	English, German, Irish, Scottish, Swedish
Cultural Impact	Established as a sex symbol
Philanthropy	Ambassador for the Peace Corps

Matthew David McConaughey was born in 1969 and is an American actor. He first performed on stage in the children’s play “Powder” in 1993. McConaughey’s breakthrough role was as the accused and convicted murderer Ron Woodroof in the film “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013), which earned him the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Actor.

24. Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell	Information
Full Name	Kurt Vogel Russell
Birthdate	March 17, 1951
Birthplace	Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Education	Thousand Oaks High School
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1962–present
Spouse	Season Hubley
Partner	Goldie Hawn
Children	2 (including Wyatt)
Parent	Bing Russell
Notable TV Series	The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters
Notable Disney Films	The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Now You See Him, Now You Don’t, The Strongest Man in the World
Golden Globe Nomination	Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for Silkwood (1983)
Collaboration with John Carpenter	Escape from New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China
Emmy Nomination	Outstanding Lead Actor for Elvis (1979)
Notable Films	Tombstone, Stargate, Backdraft, The Hateful Eight, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Fast & Furious Franchise	Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, F9
MCU and Santa Claus Portrayal	Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, What If…?, The Christmas Chronicles, The Christmas Chronicles 2
Baseball Career	Played for California Angels minor league affiliates
Retirement	Retired from baseball in 1973 due to a shoulder injury
Critical Acclaim	Praise for portrayal of Herb Brooks in Miracle (2004)
Other Notable Roles	Overboard, Tango & Cash, Escape from L.A.
Behind the Scenes	Claimed ghost-directing Tombstone (1993)

Kurt Donald Wahlberg was born in 1954 and is an American actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He is the son of film director and producer John Wahlberg. He is well known for his role as Snake Plissken in “Escape from New York” (1981) and Russell “Buck” Taylor in “The Thing” (1982).