What’s the point of Hollywood if it doesn’t feature the most diverse group of talented people? Besides those token African-Americans and Latinos, plenty more white actors have made a splash in just about every other movie genre. We’re here to highlight 50 such stars. This list ranks 50 famous white actors from all eras of cinema history based purely on their worldwide fame and popularity.
1. Fred Astaire
| Fred Astaire | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Fred Astaire |
| Birthdate | May 10, 1899 |
| Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Death | June 22, 1987 |
| Resting Place | Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupations | Dancer, actor, singer, choreographer, presenter |
| Years Active | 1904–1981 |
| Spouses | Phyllis Livingston Potter (m. 1933; died 1954) Robyn Smith (m. 1980) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Adele Astaire (sister) |
| Awards | Honorary Academy Award, Primetime Emmy Awards, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Award, Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute, Kennedy Center Honors, AFI Life Achievement Award, Hollywood Walk of Fame, American Theatre Hall of Fame, Television Hall of Fame |
| Instruments | Vocals, percussion, piano, accordion, clarinet |
| Labels | MGM Records, RCA Victor, Decca Records, Columbia Records, Brunswick Records |
| Recognitions | Widely regarded as the “greatest popular-music dancer of all time” |
| Broadway Musicals | Starred in more than 10 Broadway musicals |
| Film Career | Made 31 musical films, including collaborations with Ginger Rogers |
| Memorable Films | Top Hat, Swing Time, Shall We Dance, Holiday Inn, Easter Parade, The Band Wagon, Funny Face, Silk Stockings |
| Acclaim | Named fifth-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute |
| Family Background | Mother born in the US to German immigrants, father born in Austria to Jewish parents who converted to Catholicism |
| Early Life | Began dancing with sister Adele in vaudeville acts |
| Transition to Films | Achieved success in Hollywood after initial screen test |
| Astaire-Rogers Partnership | Notable dance partnership with Ginger Rogers in 10 Hollywood musicals |
| Contribution to Dance | Known for his uncanny sense of rhythm, creativity, and tireless perfectionism |
| Legacy | Helped make dancing an important element of the Hollywood film musical |
Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1899. He made a name for himself in movies like “Top Hat” and “Follow the Fleet” (1941) and received two Academy Award nominations. His career spanned five decades, and he set a standard for dancing that is still emulated today. Astaire passed away in 1987 at the age of 88.
2. Tommy Lee Jones
| Tommy Lee Jones | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tommy Lee Jones |
| Birthdate | September 15, 1946 |
| Birthplace | San Saba, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma Mater | Harvard University (AB) |
| Occupations | Actor, Film director |
| Years Active | 1969–present |
| Spouses | Katherine Lardner, Kimberlea Cloughley, Dawn Laurel |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards |
| Leading Man | Established as a leading man in the 1990s |
| Memorable Film Roles | U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in “The Fugitive” Agent K in “Men in Black” franchise Thaddeus Stevens in “Lincoln” |
| Resurgence | Acclaimed performances in “In the Valley of Elah” and “No Country for Old Men” |
| Directorial Work | Directed “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” Directed and starred in “The Good Old Boys” |
| Personal Life | Resides in Terrell Hills, Texas Owns a cattle ranch in San Saba County, Texas Avid polo player and supporter of the Polo Training Foundation Supports the San Antonio Spurs basketball team |
1946 saw the birth of Tommy Lee Jones in San Saba, Texas. He is known as Agent K in the Men in Black movies. In 1993, he won an Academy Award for best-supporting Actor in “The Fugitive,” and has been nominated three times since then. Jones has appeared in over 50 films since 1971 and will return next year to reprise his role as Agent K in “Men in Black.”
3. Sir Sean Connery
| Sir Sean Connery | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Sean Connery |
| Birthdate | August 25, 1930 |
| Place of Birth | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Date of Death | October 31, 2020 |
| Place of Death | Lyford Cay, Bahamas |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Known For | Portraying James Bond in seven films |
| Years Active | 1954–2007, 2012 |
| Spouses | Diane Cilento (1962–1974), Micheline Roquebrune (1975–2020) |
| Children | Jason Connery |
| Relatives | Neil Connery (brother) |
| Awards | Knight Bachelor (2000), Academy Award, BAFTA Awards, Golden Globes |
| Significant Films | Dr. No, Goldfinger, The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade |
| Retirement | Officially retired in 2006, with a brief return for voice-over roles in 2012 |
Sir Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1930. He is known for playing James Bond in the film series and has appeared in dozens of films, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for “The Untouchables” (1987). In his career, Connery has played several very different roles. At Buckingham Palace, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him. In 1994, he received the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.
4. George Orson Welles
| George Orson Welles | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Orson Welles |
| Birthdate | May 6, 1915 |
| Birthplace | Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Producer |
| Years Active | 1931–1985 |
| Notable Works | Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, The Lady from Shanghai, Touch of Evil, Chimes at Midnight, F for Fake |
| Film Debut | Citizen Kane (1941) |
| Directorial Style | Layered and nonlinear narrative forms, dramatic lighting, unusual camera angles, deep focus shots, long takes |
| Political Affiliation | Democratic |
| Spouses | Virginia Nicolson (1934–1940), Rita Hayworth (1943–1947), Paola Mori (1955–1985) |
| Children | 3, including Beatrice |
| Recognition | Considered one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time |
| Notable Contributions | The War of the Worlds radio broadcast, Citizen Kane – regarded as one of the greatest films ever made |
| Legacy | Voted the greatest film director of all time in two British Film Institute polls, included in the 50 greatest Hollywood actors of all time |
Orson Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1915. In addition to making films, he also wrote and directed them. He directed the classic films “Citizen Kane,” “Touch of Evil” and “Chimes at Midnight.” Welles passed away in 1985 at 70 but has since been inducted into the American Film Institute Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
5. Christopher Plummer
| Christopher Plummer | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Plummer |
| Birthdate | December 13, 1929 |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | High School of Montreal |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1946–2021 |
| Works | Filmography |
| Spouses | Tammy Grimes (m. 1956; div. 1960) |
| Children | Amanda Plummer |
| Parent | Isabella Mary Abbott (mother) |
| Relatives | Janina Fialkowska (cousin) |
| Awards | Academy Award, Tony Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, |
The year 1929 saw the birth of Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is most known for playing Billy Shakespeare in the musical “Pride and Prejudice.” He has also appeared on stage in productions like “Richard II” and “Hamlet.” Plummer has won many awards for his work, including a Tony award (for acting), a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony nomination (for directing).
6. Sir Alec Guinness
| Sir Alec Guinness | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Alec Guinness |
| Birthdate | April 2, 1914 |
| Birthplace | Maida Vale, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Notable Works | Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Star Wars |
| Spouse | Merula Salaman (married in 1938) |
| Children | Matthew Guinness |
| Awards | Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Tony Award |
| Honors | Knighthood, Hollywood Walk of Fame |
| Military Service | Royal Naval Reserve, Landing Craft Infantry |
| Notable Roles | Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai, Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars |
| Stage Career | Old Vic, Stratford Festival of Canada |
| Shakespearean Roles | Hamlet, King Lear, Richard III |
| Collaborations | David Lean, George Lucas |
| Recognitions | Academy Honorary Award, BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award |
Sir Alec Guinness was born in London, England, in 1914. His most well-known performances include playing Colonel Nicholson in “The Bridge on the River Kwai” and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the “Star Wars” film trilogy. Guinness has made appearances in over 100 films throughout his career and played many different roles. He received an Honorary Oscar Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. He passed away at the age of 86 in 2000.
7. Kirk Douglas
| Kirk Douglas | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kirk Douglas |
| Born | Issur Danielovitch (December 9, 1916) |
| Place of Birth | Amsterdam, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 5, 2020 (aged 103) |
| Place of Death | Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
| Resting Place | Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Westwood, California |
| Other Names | Isador Demsky, Izzy Demsky |
| Alma Mater | St. Lawrence University |
| Occupations | Actor, filmmaker, philanthropist |
| Years Active | 1944-2008 |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Diana Dill (m. 1943; div. 1951), Anne Buydens (m. 1954) |
| Children | Michael, Joel, Peter, Eric |
| Military Career | United States Navy |
| Service/branch | 1941-1944 |
| Notable Films | The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) |
| Awards and Honors | Academy Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement |
Kirk Douglas was born in Amsterdam, New York, in 1916. He is known for his portrayal of boxer Tony Gazzo in “Champion,” for his role as Colonel Robert E. Lee Clayton in “The Big Sky” (1952), and for playing the title character of the 1960 film “Spartacus.” Douglas starred in many different genres but is best known for his work on-screen. He has had a long, distinguished career and was a major Hollywood icon from the 1950s to the 1980s.
8. John Wayne
| John Wayne | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Wayne |
| Nickname | The Duke, Duke Wayne |
| Birthdate | May 26, 1907 |
| Birthplace | Winterset, Iowa, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, Producer |
| Years Active | 1926–1976 |
| Iconic Roles | Westerns, War Movies |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouses | Josephine Saenz, Esperanza Baur, Pilar Pallete |
| Children | 7, including Michael, Patrick, and Ethan |
| Alma Mater | University of Southern California |
| Last Film | The Shootist (1976) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actor (True Grit, 1969) |
| Recognition | Named one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute |
| Legacy | Top box-office draw for three decades |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | Awarded posthumously in 1980 |
John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa, in 1907. He is known for his role as Ethan Edwards in “The Searchers” (1956), Will Kane in “High Noon” (1952), and Frank Merriwell in the film series. Wayne received five Academy Awards nominations during his career but never won an award. His career spanned a decade, and he passed away at 72.
9. William Holden
| William Holden | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Franklin Beedle Jr. |
| Birthdate | April 17, 1918 |
| Birthplace | O’Fallon, Illinois, U.S. |
| Death Date | November 12, 1981 |
| Place of Death | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Alma Mater | Pasadena Junior College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1938-1981 |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Brenda Marshall (1941-1971) |
| Partner(s) | Stefanie Powers (1972-1981) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actor (1953) |
| Notable Films | Sunset Boulevard (1950) |
| Recognition | Named one of the “Top 10 Stars of the Year” six times |
William Holden was born in O’Fallon, Illinois, in 1918. His performance as Joe Gillis in “Sunset Boulevard” is well known (1950), as Dr. Robert Ordway in “The Towering Inferno” (1974), and Detective Bill Gillespie in the film series “The Untouchables.” Holden has been nominated for two Academy Awards throughout his career, winning one for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work on the film “Stalag 17.” He passed away from throat cancer at the age of 57.
10. Richard Burton
| Richard Burton | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Burton |
| Birthdate | November 10, 1925 |
| Birthplace | Pontrhydyfen, Glamorgan, Wales |
| Death | August 5, 1984 (aged 58), Céligny, Switzerland |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known For | Notable Shakespearean performances, mellifluous baritone voice |
| Awards and Nominations | 7-time Academy Award nominee, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, Grammy Award, Tony Award |
| Spouses | Sybil Williams, Elizabeth Taylor, Suzy Miller, Sally Hay |
| Children | 3, including Kate Burton |
| Notable Performances | Memorable portrayal of Hamlet, King Arthur in Camelot |
| Box Office Success | Became a top box-office star, one of the highest-paid actors in the world |
| Legacy | Widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation |
| Education | Attended Port Talbot Secondary School, displayed talent in speaking, singing, and literature |
| Passions | Passionate about rugby, expressed preference for playing rugby for Wales over acting in Hamlet |
| Adoption by Philip Burton | Legal ward of Philip Burton, changed his surname to “Richard Burton” |
Richard Burton was born in Pontrhydyfen, Wales, in 1925 and died in 1984. His performances in the movies “Cleopatra” (1963), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), and “The Taming of the Shrew” are what made him most well-known (1967). Burton has starred in over 50 films and won a Golden Globe Award, a Laurel Award, and an Academy award nomination. He was married to actress Elizabeth Taylor from 1964 to 1974.
11. Burt Lancaster
| Burt Lancaster | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Burt Lancaster |
| Birthdate | November 2, 1913 |
| Birthplace | Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Career Span | 1935-1994 (45 years) |
| Academy Awards | Best Actor (Elmer Gantry, 1961) |
| BAFTA Awards | Best Foreign Actor (Birdman of Alcatraz, 1962) |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Lead Actor (Elmer Gantry, 1961), Best Lead Actor (Atlantic City, 1980) |
| Breakthrough Role | The Killers (1946) |
| Memorable Roles | From Here to Eternity (1953), Elmer Gantry (1960), Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) |
| Production Company | Hecht-Hill-Lancaster |
| Last Film Role | Field of Dreams (1989) |
| Death | October 20, 1994 |
| Legacy | Burt Lancaster was a versatile actor known for his tough yet tender portrayals. Over his career, he received critical acclaim and won numerous awards for his performances. Lancaster’s dedication to his craft and his ability to tackle complex roles made him one of the greatest actors of classic Hollywood cinema. His legacy continues to inspire and influence actors today. |
Burton Stephen Lancaster passed away in 1994 after being born in 1913. He is an actor from the USA. His performances in “Birdman of Alcatraz,” “The Scalphunters,” and “The Night of the Hunter” are what made him most famous. For his two times-nominated performances as Paul Muni in “The Life of Emile Zola,” he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (1937) and as Abraham Lincoln in “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” (1939). He went on to win two Golden Globe Awards.
12. Peter Finch
| Peter Finch | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Finch |
| Birthdate | September 28, 1916 |
| Birthplace | South Kensington, London, England |
| Nationality | English-Australian |
| Occupation | Acclaimed Actor |
| Years Active | 1934–1977 |
| Known For | Stellar performances in British cinema |
| Awards | BAFTA Award winner (Best Actor in a Leading Role – 5 times) |
| Contributions | Star of Australian films and celebrated theatre actor |
| Military Service | Served in the Australian Army during World War II |
| Spouses | Tamara Tchinarova, Yolande Turner, Eletha Barrett |
| Children | 4 children, including Charles Finch |
| Resting Place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
Frederick George Peter Ingle Finch was born in London, England, in 1916 and died in 1977. He is an English film and stage actor. He was born in London, moved to Australia as a young adult, and was reared in Sydney. Before breaking into the Australian film industry, he worked in radio and vaudeville. After the Second World War, he joined the Old Vic Company and enjoyed tremendous critical acclaim in Britain for his stage and movie appearances.
13. Peter Sellers
| Peter Sellers | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Sellers |
| Birthdate | September 8, 1925 |
| Birthplace | Southsea, Portsmouth, England |
| Occupations | Actor, Comedian |
| Years Active | 1925-1980 |
| Works | The Goon Show, The Pink Panther series, Dr Strangelove, Being There |
| Spouses | Anne Howe, Britt Ekland, Miranda Quarry, Lynne Frederick |
| Children | 3 (including Michael and Victoria) |
| Notable Achievements | BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
Peter Sellers was born in London, England, in 1925 and died in 1980. He is most well-known for his roles in “Dr. Strangelove” (1963) and “Being There” (1979). He has acted in over 50 films and is a massive icon to many. His famous catchphrase, “I’m not the Messiah, I’m a very naughty boy”, is probably his most famous line.
14. Charles Laughton
| Charles Laughton | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Laughton |
| Birthdate | July 1, 1899 |
| Birthplace | Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Death | December 15, 1962 (aged 63) in Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Resting Place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom – United States |
| Education | Scarborough College, Stonyhurst College |
| Alma Mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupations | Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Years Active | 1926–1962 |
| Notable Roles | – The Private Life of Henry VIII (Academy Award-winning performance) |
| Notable Awards | – Academy Award for Best Actor (The Private Life of Henry VIII) |
| Impact and Legacy | Charles Laughton was a versatile actor known for his remarkable performances in both stage |
Charles Laughton was born in 1899 in England and died in 1962. He played characters in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and was an English theater and screen actor (1939), “Mutiny on the Bounty” (1962), and Mr. Kurtz in “Apocalypse Now.” His integrity and commitment to the craft have been a large part of what has made him one of the most recognizable actors of all time.
15. Jason Nelson Robards Jr.
| Jason Nelson Robards | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jason Nelson Robards Jr. |
| Birthdate | July 26, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | German, English, Welsh, Irish, Swedish |
| Education | Hollywood High School, American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Occupation | Award-Winning Actor |
| Years Active | 1947–2000 |
| Notable Achievements | Two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award |
| Military Service | United States Navy, World War II veteran |
| Marriages | Eleanor Pittman, Rachel Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Lois O’Connor |
| Children | 6, including Sam Robards |
| Accolades | Eight Tony Award nominations, Two Academy Awards, Primetime Emmy Award |
| Contributions | Narrated the public radio documentary on schizophrenia |
| Honors | U.S. National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, Monte Cristo Award |
| Legacy | Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame |
Jason Nelson Robards Jr., who passed away in 2000, was born in 1922. An American actor, he was. Robards, renowned for his interpretations of plays by Eugene O’Neill, won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival. He is one of the 24 actors who have accomplished the Triple Crown of Acting.
To learn more about the life and career of Jason Nelson Robards Jr., check out this article on celebrities who live in Nashville. Nashville is known for its vibrant entertainment industry and has been home to many renowned actors. Discover the connection between Jason Robards Jr. and the thriving entertainment scene in the Music City.
16. George Campbell Scott
| George Campbell Scott | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Campbell Scott |
| Birthdate | October 18, 1927 |
| Birthplace | Wise, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 1999 |
| Education | University of Missouri (B.A., 1953) |
| Occupations | Actor, Director, Producer |
| Notable Roles | – Prosecutor Claude Dancer in “Anatomy of a Murder” |
| Awards | – Academy Award for Best Actor (Patton) |
| Stage Career | – Multiple appearances in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions |
| Personal Life | – Spouses: Carolyn Hughes, Patricia Reed, Colleen Dewhurst, Trish Van Devere |
| Military Career | – United States Marine Corps, 1945-1949 |
George Campbell Scott was born in 1927 and died in 1999. He was a prominent theater and movie actor, director, and producer from the United States. General Buck Turgidson from Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick, Claude Dancer in Anatomy of a Murder, Herbert Bock in The Hospital, and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Scott is known for playing challenging yet nuanced roles. For his performances as Lt. Kinderman in The Exorcist III and General George S. Patton in the film Patton, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
17. Gary Cooper
| Gary Cooper | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary Cooper |
| Birthdate | May 7, 1901 |
| Birthplace | Helena, Montana, U.S. |
| Other Names | Coop |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1925-1961 |
| Academy Awards | Won Best Actor twice Received three nominations Received Honorary Award in 1961 for career achievements |
| Career Highlights | Ranked #11 on AFI’s list of the 25 greatest male stars of classic Hollywood cinema |
| Major Film Genres | Westerns, Adventure, Drama, Romantic Comedies |
| Iconic Roles | The Virginian (1929), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), High Noon (1952) |
| Screen Persona | Strong, quiet screen persona with an understated acting style |
| Family Background | Father: Charles H. Cooper Mother: Alice Brazier Brother: Arthur Cooper |
| Education | Dunstable Grammar School, Gallatin County High School, Grinnell College |
| Artistic Pursuits | Talented artist and watercolor painter |
| Early Film Career | Started as a film extra and stunt rider, gained popularity in Western films |
| Career Peak | Portrayed ideal American heroes, champion of the common man in socially significant films |
| Later Films | Explored mature characters at odds with the world, played nonviolent characters searching for redemption |
| Physical Traits | Characteristic stiff and off-balanced walk due to a hip injury |
| Resting Place | Sacred Hearts Cemetery, New York, U.S. |
Gary Cooper was born in 1901 in Indiana and passed away in 1961. He is well-known for his roles in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1942), Meet John Doe (1941), Sergeant York (1941), and The Pride of the Yankees (1942). Cooper was nominated for an Academy Award four times and won once. In 1979, he was admitted to the American Theater Hall of Fame.
18. William Clark Gable
| William Clark Gable | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Clark Gable |
| Birthdate | February 1, 1901 |
| Birthplace | Cadiz, Ohio, U.S. |
| Death | November 16, 1960 (aged 59) in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | American Film Actor |
| Nickname | The King of Hollywood |
| Years Active | 1924–1960 |
| Genres | Various genres, including drama and romance |
| Final On-Screen Appearance | The Misfits (1961) |
| Box Office Success | Consistent performer, ranked on Quigley Publishing’s Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll 16 times |
| Recognition | Named the seventh greatest male movie star of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute |
| Frequent Co-Stars | Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, Norma Shearer, Ava Gardner, and more |
| Military Service | United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force |
| Major Achievements | Starred in over 60 motion pictures, known for his three-decade-long career as a leading man |
| Personal Life | Married five times, including marriages to Carole Lombard and Kay Williams; had two children, including Judy Lewis |
| Early Life | Raised in Cadiz, Ohio; inspired to become an actor after seeing the play The Bird of Paradise |
| Hollywood Career | Started as an extra in silent films before securing a contract with MGM; frequently paired with established female stars; known for his roles in iconic films such as It Happened One Night (1934) and Gone with the Wind (1939) |
William Clark Gable was born in 1901. He is best recognized for his performance in “Gone with the Wind” as Rhett Butler (1939). Gable was nominated for four Academy Awards throughout his career, winning one. He is one of the most iconic actors in American cinema and is also considered a significant icon of masculinity and Hollywood’s Golden Age.
19. Eldred Gregory Peck
| Eldred Gregory Peck | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eldred Gregory Peck |
| Birthdate | April 5, 1916 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Death | June 12, 2003 (aged 87) |
| Resting Place | Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1941–2000 |
| Notable Films | The Keys of the Kingdom, Roman Holiday, To Kill a Mockingbird |
| Academy Awards | Best Actor for To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) |
| AFI Recognition | Named the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood Cinema |
| Humanitarian Efforts | Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient |
| Active in Politics | Challenged the House Un-American Activities Committee |
Eldred Gregory Peck was born in 1916. Known by many as an American actor and one of the most decorated U.S. combat veterans of the Second World War, he is a big name in Hollywood history. He is considered to be one of Hollywood’s greatest actors of all time. He won two Academy Awards: Best Actor for his performances in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) and “The Yearling” (1946).
20. Kevin Spacey Fowler
| Kevin Spacey Fowler | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Spacey Fowler |
| Birthdate | July 26, 1959 (age 63) |
| Birthplace | South Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education | Juilliard School |
| Occupations | Actor, film producer, singer |
| Years Active | 1981–present |
| Notable Films | The Usual Suspects, American Beauty, L.A. Confidential, and more |
| Broadway | Tony Award for Lost in Yonkers, Laurence Olivier Award for The Iceman Cometh, and more |
| Old Vic Theatre | Artistic director, performances in Cloaca, Richard II, and more |
| Accusations | High-profile accusations, cut ties with Netflix, reshooting of All the Money in the World, and more |
| Personal Life | Family background, estranged brother, father’s abuse, private about personal life, and more |
| Honors | Honorary knighthood, patron of Shakespeare Schools Festival, and board member of Motion Picture and Television Fund |
Kevin Spacey Fowler was born in 1959. His roles in “The Usual Suspects,” “American Beauty,” and “Seven” made him a well-known American actor, director, and producer. He has won two Academy Awards and a Tony Award, among other accolades.
21. Philip Seymour Hoffman
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Philip Seymour Hoffman |
| Birthdate | July 23, 1967 |
| Birthplace | Fairport, New York, U.S. |
| Death | February 2, 2014 (aged 46) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Education | New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts |
| Years Active | 1991–2014 |
| Notable Works | Capote, The Master, Doubt, Boogie Nights |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actor (Capote) |
| Collaborations | Paul Thomas Anderson, Coen brothers |
| Theater Career | LAByrinth Theater Company, Broadway nominations |
| Legacy | Voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time by Empire magazine |
Philip Seymour Hoffman died in February 2014 and was born in 1967. He is an American actor and director. Hoffman began acting in television in 1991, and the following year started to appear in films. In various films, he gained recognition for his supporting work throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. More recently, he has starred in critically acclaimed films such as “Capote” (2005), “Doubt” (2008), “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007), and “The Ides of March” (2011).
22. Russell Ira Crowe
| Russell Ira Crowe | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Russell Ira Crowe |
| Birthdate | April 7, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Occupations | Actor, Singer |
| Years Active | 1985–present |
| Breakout Role | Romper Stomper (1992) |
| International Recognition | L.A. Confidential (1997), The Insider (1999) |
| Academy Award | Best Actor for Gladiator (2000) |
| Notable Films | A Beautiful Mind (2001), Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), Cinderella Man (2005), Les Misérables (2012), Man of Steel (2013), Noah (2014) |
| Directorial Debut | The Water Diviner (2014) |
| National Rugby League Team | Co-owner of South Sydney Rabbitohs |
Russell Ira Crowe was born in 1964. He is an actor, film producer, and musician. Although a New Zealand citizen, he has lived most of his life in Australia. He received accolades from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Empire Awards, the London Film Critics Circle, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association for his portrayal of the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in “Gladiator” (2000). He was also a finalist for the Best Actor Oscar.
23. Sir Ben Kingsley
| Sir Ben Kingsley | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Ben Kingsley |
| Birthdate | 31 December 1943 (age 79) |
| Birthplace | Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Spouses | Angela Morant, Alison Sutcliffe, Alexandra Christmann, Daniela Lavender |
| Children | 4 (including Ferdinand Kingsley) |
| Awards | Academy Award, British Academy Film Award, Grammy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Knight Bachelor |
| Notable Performances | – Mahatma Gandhi in “Gandhi” |
Sir Ben Kingsley was born in India in 1943. He is an actor, director, and producer. He has received two Best Actor Academy Awards for the movies “Schindler’s List” and “Gandhi” (1982). (1993). In 1993 he shared the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Gangs of New York”.
24. Eugene Allen Hackman
| Eugene Allen Hackman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eugene Allen Hackman |
| Birthdate | January 30, 1930 |
| Birthplace | San Bernardino, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, Novelist |
| Years Active | 1956–2004 (actor), 1999–2013 (novelist) |
| Awards | Two Academy Awards, Two BAFTA Awards, Four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Silver Bear |
| Notable Roles | Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971), “Little” Bill Daggett in Unforgiven (1992) |
| Famous Films | The French Connection (1971), Superman (1978), Hoosiers (1986), Mississippi Burning (1988) |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Faye Maltese (m. 1956; div. 1986), Betsy Arakawa (m. 1991) |
| Children | 3 |
Eugene Allen Hackman was born in California in 1930. He is an actor and film producer. Hackman has garnered several accolades for over six decades, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, two BAFTAs, and a Silver Bear. Hackman, who had five Academy Award nominations, took home two of them for his performances as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the famous thriller The French Connection (1971) and as “Little” Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Western movie Unforgiven (1992).
Eugene Allen Hackman was an American actor born on January 30, 1930 in San Bernardino, California. He retired from acting in 2004 but his legacy lives on. If you’re interested in discovering other famous actors from the 90s like Hackman, check out our article on the 50 Most Famous 90s Actors of All Time.
25. Sean Justin Penn
| Sean Justin Penn | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sean Justin Penn |
| Birthdate | August 17, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, Film Director |
| Years Active | 1974–present |
| Notable Films | Mystic River, Milk, Dead Man Walking |
| Notable Roles | Jimmy Markum, Harvey Milk, Jeff Spicoli |
| Spouses | Madonna, Robin Wright, Leila George |
| Children | Dylan Penn, Hopper Penn |
| Parents | Leo Penn, Eileen Ryan |
| Relatives | Chris Penn (brother), Michael Penn (brother) |
| Awards | 2 Academy Awards for Best Actor |
| Directorial Work | The Indian Runner, Into the Wild, The Last Face |
| Humanitarian Work | Hurricane Katrina, 2010 Haiti earthquake |
| Political Activism | Criticism of George W. Bush, involvement with Cuba and Venezuela |
Sean Justin Penn was born in 1960 in Santa Monica, California. He is an American actor and filmmaker. With a fleeting cameo in “I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can,” Penn launched his acting career in television (1981). He made his feature film debut in 1982’s “Taps” and gained significant attention as the surfer-stoner Jeff Spicoli in the 1983 comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”.
26. Clinton Eastwood Jr.
| Clinton Eastwood Jr | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clinton Eastwood Jr. |
| Birthdate | May 31, 1930 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Father | Clint Eastwood Sr. |
| Mother | Ruth Wood |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director |
| Years Active | 1954–present |
| Notable Films | Flags of Our Fathers, Gran Torino, Invictus |
| Awards | Academy Awards (Best Director, Best Picture) |
Clinton Eastwood Jr. was born in California in 1930. He is an actor, director, producer, musician, and politician. Among his most notable roles are those in the films “Every Which Way but Loose” (1978), “Any Which Way You Can” (1980), “Sudden Impact” (1983), the action Western “Honkytonk Man” (1982), and the psychological thriller “Play Misty for Me” (1971).
27. Peter Seamus O’Toole
| Peter Seamus O Toole | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Seamus O’Toole |
| Born | 2 August 1932, Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 14 December 2013, St John’s Wood, London, England |
| Alma Mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupations | British stage and film actor |
| Years Active | 1954–2012 |
| Notable Work | Lawrence of Arabia, Becket, The Lion in Winter, Goodbye, Mr. Chips |
| Spouse | Siân Phillips (m. 1959; div. 1979) |
| Children | 3, including Kate |
| Awards | Academy Honorary Award, Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Award, Primetime Emmy |
| Known for | Iconic portrayal of T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia |
| Record Nominations | Most Oscar nominations for acting without a win |
| Other notable roles | King Henry II in Becket and The Lion in Winter, Anton Ego in Ratatouille |
Peter Seamus O’Toole was born in 1932 and died in 2013. He is an English actor. After enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he started acting professionally. He became well-known for his Shakespearean performances at the Bristol Old Vic and the English Stage Company. He performed in The Long, the Short, and the Tall on the West End in 1959, and in the inaugural Hamlet production at the National Theatre in 1963, he portrayed the title role. O’Toole was well-known for living a “hellraiser” lifestyle while performing brilliantly on the London stage.
28. Jeffrey Leon Bridges
| Jeffrey Leon Bridges | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Leon Bridges |
| Birthdate | December 4, 1949 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, film producer, singer |
| Years Active | 1951–present |
| Spouse | Susan Geston |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Lloyd Bridges, Dorothy Bridges |
| Siblings | Beau Bridges (brother), Jordan Bridges (nephew) |
| Awards | Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Notable Films | Crazy Heart, The Last Picture Show, True Grit, The Big Lebowski, Tron, Iron Man, Hell or High Water |
| Television Series | Sea Hunt, The Old Man |
| Military Service | United States Coast Guard, Petty officer second class |
| Musical Accomplishments | Singer, songwriter, released albums, performed at concerts, contributed to film soundtracks |
Jeff Bridges was born in 1949. He is an American actor and producer. He came to prominence for his performance as Jeffrey Lebowski, the “Dude”, in the Coen Brothers’ film “The Big Lebowski” (1998). He received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his depiction in the 2005 film “Crazy Heart”.
29. James Francis Cagney Jr.
| James Francis Cagney | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Francis Cagney Jr. |
| Birthdate | July 17, 1899 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations | Actor, dancer, film director |
| Known For | Energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, deadpan comic timing |
| Notable Films | The Public Enemy, Angels with Dirty Faces, Yankee Doodle Dandy, White Heat |
| Awards | Academy Award winner for Best Actor (Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942) |
| Legacy | Ranked eighth on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest male stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood |
| Contribution | Influential gangster movie roles and versatile performances |
| Quote | “Maybe the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera” – Orson Welles |
| Spouse | Frances Vernon (m. 1922) |
| Children | 2 |
| Other Ventures | President of the Screen Actors Guild |
| Retirement | Retired in 1961 to focus on family and returned briefly in 1981 for Ragtime |
| Death | March 30, 1986, at the age of 86 |
| Resting Place | Gate of Heaven Cemetery, New York |
James Francis Cagney Jr. was born in 1899 in New York City. Known as a formidable guy actor in the 1930s and 1940s, he was a leading man in films such as “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “Angels with Dirty Faces” and “The Public Enemy”. He has accumulated numerous awards during his career, including the Motion Picture Academy Award for Best Actor, Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.
30. Henry Jaynes Fonda
| Henry Jaynes Fonda | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Henry Jaynes Fonda |
| Birthdate | May 16, 1905 |
| Birthplace | Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | August 12, 1982 (aged 77) |
| Alma Mater | University of Minnesota |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1928-1981 |
| Spouses | Margaret Sullavan (m. 1931; div. 1933) |
| Children | 3, including Jane and Peter |
| Career Highlights | – Five-decade career on Broadway and in Hollywood |
| Legacy | – Patriarch of a family of actors, including daughter Jane Fonda, son Peter Fonda, granddaughter Bridget Fonda, and grandson Troy Garity |
1905 saw Henry Jaynes Fonda’s birth in Grand Island, Nebraska. He is an American film and stage actor with seven decades of career. In 1935, Fonda made his Hollywood film debut after making his name as a Broadway performer. With appearances in movies like Jezebel (1938), Jesse James (1939), and Young Mr. Lincoln, he became a movie star (1939). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1940 for his portrayal of Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath, which advanced his acting career.
Henry Jaynes Fonda was one of the most famous actors of the 1930s, starring in classic films such as “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Gone with the Wind.” If you’re interested in learning more about the iconic movie stars of this decade, check out our article on the top 20 famous movie stars of the 1930s for a dose of nostalgia and Hollywood history.
31. Robert Selden Duvall
| Robert Selden Duvall | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Selden Duvall |
| Birthdate | January 5, 1931 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, Filmmaker |
Robert Selden Duvall was born in 1931 in San Diego, California. He is an actor and director. His career has spanned over seven decades, and he is acknowledged as one of the greatest American performers. He has been honored with an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
32. Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
| Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio |
| Birthdate | November 11, 1974 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, Film Producer |
| Years Active | 1989–present |
| Awards | Academy Award, British Academy Film Award, Golden Globe Awards |
| Highest-Grossing Films | Titanic, Inception, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Revenant |
| Founder | Appian Way Productions |
| Foundation | Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation |
| Philanthropy | Environmental Awareness, United Nations Messenger of Peace |
| Notable Collaborations | Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan |
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born in 1974 in Los Angeles, California. He is an American actor, film producer, and environmentalist. As a model “0000” member, he became famous by appearing on the cover of their 2000 calendar. Before securing recurrent roles in T.V. shows like the soap opera “Santa Barbara,” DiCaprio started his career by making appearances in ads. His first major film release was in 1993’s “Critters 3”, but it wasn’t until he was cast in the 1996 blockbuster hit film “Titanic” that he gained recognition and international fame.
33. Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. KBE
| Sir Charles Spencer | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. KBE |
| Birthdate | April 16, 1889 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Death | December 25, 1977 |
| Place of Death | Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland |
| Burial Place | Cimetière de Corsier-sur-Vevey, Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland |
| Occupations | Actor, Comedian, Director, Composer, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor |
| Years Active | 1899–1975 |
| Spouses | Mildred Harris (1918-1920), Lita Grey (1924-1927), Paulette Goddard (1936-1942), Oona O’Neill (from 1943) |
| Children | 11, including Charles, Sydney, Geraldine, Michael, Josephine, Victoria, Eugene, and Christopher |
| Parent(s) | Charles Chaplin Sr., Hannah Hill |
| Relatives | Chaplin family |
| Known For | Iconic silent film star and creator of the Tramp persona |
| Career Span | Over 75 years, from the Victorian era to 1976 |
| Contributions | Revolutionized the film industry through his comedic performances and filmmaking skills |
| Filmography | Notable films: The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), Modern Times (1936) |
| Awards | Honorary Academy Award in 1972 for his significant impact on motion pictures |
| Impact | Considered one of the most important figures in the film industry |
| Film Legacy | Films like The Gold Rush, City Lights, Modern Times, and The Great Dictator are regarded as some of the greatest films of all time |
| Social and Political Themes | Explored social and political issues in his films |
| Personal Struggles | Overcame poverty, hardship, and family challenges during his childhood |
| Founder | Co-founder of United Artists, a distribution company that provided him with creative control over his films |
| Musical Talent | Composed music for most of his films |
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. was born in 1899 in London, England. He is an English comedian and Actor. His film career began in 1914, with comedy shorts such as “The Laughing Lady” and “The Adventurer”, and when he was still a small boy in 1913 made his first appearance at the age of six in the short film “Aged 14”. Two years later, he made his stage debut as a banjo player at Stoll Theatre as a replacement for the injured Stan Laurel.
34. Robin McLaurin Williams
| Robin McLaurin Williams | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robin McLaurin Williams |
| Born | July 21, 1951, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 2014, Paradise Cay, California, U.S. |
| Education | Claremont McKenna College |
| Occupations | Actor |
| Years active | 1976–2014 |
| Spouses | Valerie Velardi (m. 1978; div. 1988) |
| Children | 3, including Zelda |
| Comedy career | Medium: Stand-up, film, television |
| Genres | Observational comedy |
| Notable Films | Good Will Hunting (1997) |
| Awards | Academy Award |
| Legacy | Regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time |
Rob Robin McLaurin Williams was born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. He is an American actor, voice actor, and singer. Williams has gained worldwide attention and acclaim for his portrayal of Mork in the 1980s sitcom “Mork & Mindy”, which won him two Golden Globes awards.
35. Sir Michael Caine
| Sir Michael Caine | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Michael Caine |
| Birthdate | 14 March 1933 |
| Birthplace | Rotherhithe, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1950–present |
| Spouses | Patricia Haines (m. 1954; div. 1958), Shakira Baksh (m. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Stanley Caine (brother) |
| Awards | Two Academy Awards, BAFTA Fellowship, and other notable awards |
| Notable Films | Zulu, The Italian Job, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar |
| Style Icon | Recognized as a style icon of the 1960s |
| Cockney Accent | Known for his distinctive Cockney accent |
| British Icon | Considered a British film icon |
| Knighted | Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to cinema |
Michael Caine was born in 1933. He is an English actor and author. He received his training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and at the age of 19, while performing with a Shakespearean company touring Italy, he made his professional theatrical debut. His first film was “Zulu” (1964). In 1968, he got a break in “The Ipcress File” and was nominated for an Oscar. Since then, he has appeared in more than 100 movies, and he and Only two actors—Jack Nicholson and John Wayne—have roles in two of the top 100 heroes, according to the American Film Institute.
36. Cary Grant
| Cary Grant | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cary Grant |
| Birthdate | January 18, 1904 |
| Birthplace | Bristol, England |
| Nationality | English-American |
| Known For | Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and comic timing |
| Career Highlights | Nominated twice for the Academy Award; received Academy Honorary Award and Kennedy Center Honor |
| Leading Roles | The Awful Truth, Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, The Philadelphia Story |
| Collaboration | Worked closely with director Alfred Hitchcock in four films |
| Notable Films | Suspicion, Notorious, To Catch a Thief, North by Northwest |
| Romantic Comedies | Known for his performances in romantic screwball comedies |
| Relationships | Married five times; had daughter Jennifer Grant |
| Retirement | Retired from film acting in 1966 |
| Business Interests | Represented cosmetics firm Fabergé; served on the board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Death | Passed away from a stroke on November 29, 1986, at the age of 82 |
Cary Grant, real name Archibald Alec Leach, lived from 1904 until he died in 1986. Actor of English and American descent. He was well-known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, dapper bearing, lighthearted acting style, and sense of humor. He played a significant role in the leading man category of classic Hollywood from the 1930s until the middle of the 1960s.
37. James Maitland Stewart
| Jimmy Stewart | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Maitland Stewart |
| Nickname | Jimmy Stewart |
| Birthdate | May 20, 1908 |
| Birthplace | Indiana, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1935–1991 |
| Notable Films | It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Philadelphia Story, Rear Window, Vertigo |
| Screen Persona | Everyman with a distinctive drawl |
| Recognition | Ranked third on the AFI’s list of the greatest American male actors |
| Awards | Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honor, Academy Honorary Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom |
| Education | Princeton University (Architecture) |
| Military Service | United States Army (1941–1947), United States Air Force (1947–1968) |
| Military Rank | Brigadier General |
| Marital Status | Married to Gloria Hatrick McLean (1949–1994) |
| Children | Twin daughters and two adopted sons |
| Death | July 2, 1997 (aged 89) |
| Legacy | One of the most popular and beloved actors of his time |
James Maitland Stewart was born in 1908. He is an iconic American movie star and one of the film’s most honored and popular stars. He has won one Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and an honorary Academy Award. He has received five Academy Award nominations. He epitomized the “American ideal” in the middle of the 20th century due to the high moral standards he upheld in real life. On their list of the top American male actors of 1999, the American Film Institute (AFI) placed him third.
38. Humphrey DeForest Bogart
| Bogie | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Humphrey DeForest Bogart |
| Nickname | Bogie |
| Birthdate | December 25, 1899 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Film and Stage Actor |
| Career Highlight | American cultural icon and greatest male star of classic American cinema |
| Education | Delancey School, Trinity School |
| Military Service | United States Navy |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouses | Helen Menken, Mary Philips, Mayo Methot, Lauren Bacall |
| Children | 2, including Stephen Humphrey |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actor |
| Significant Films | Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen |
| Cause of Death | Esophageal cancer |
| Legacy | Iconic performances, influential in film noir genre |
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was born in 1899. He is an American actor and film director. Known for his iconic performance as gangster Rick in Casablanca, he is remembered for his performances as Sam Spade in the Maltese Falcon (1941) and Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep (1946), which established him as one of the film’s leading men. He was ranked number 50 by the American Film Institute on their list of the greatest male stars.
39. John Uhler Lemmon III
| John Uhler Lemmon | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Uhler Lemmon III |
| Birthdate | February 8, 1925 |
| Birthplace | Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Notable Work | Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Days of Wine and Roses, Irma la Douce, The Great Race, Save the Tiger, The China Syndrome, Missing, Glengarry Glen Ross, Grumpy Old Men |
| Awards | Academy Awards: 2 (Won), Golden Globe Awards: 6 (Including honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award), Cannes Film Festival Awards: 2, Volpi Cups: 2, Silver Bear: 1, BAFTA Awards: 3, Emmy Awards: 2, American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Spouses | Cynthia Stone (m. 1950; div. 1956), Felicia Farr (m. 1962) |
| Children | 2, including Chris Lemmon |
| Collaboration | Long-running partnership with Walter Matthau |
| Broadway | Tony Award nominations for Tribute and Long Day’s Journey into Night |
| Education | Harvard University (AB) |
| Military Service | Ensign on the USS Lake Champlain during World War II |
| Production | Co-founder of Jalem production company |
| Directing | Directed the film Kotch |
| Musical Talent | Pianist, known for his dedication to the instrument |
In 1925, John Uhler Lemmon III was born in a military hospital at American Army Camp Stuart in Panama’s Panama Canal Zone. He is an American actor and director. He has been a major movie star since the late 1950s, gaining recognition as one of the great leading men of Hollywood with a film such as “Some Like It Hot” (1959), “The Apartment” (1960), and “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962).
40. Laurence Kerr Olivier
| Laurence Kerr Olivier | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laurence Kerr Olivier |
| Birthdate | 22 May 1907 |
| Birthplace | Dorking, Surrey, England |
| Death Date | 11 July 1989 |
| Age | 82 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupations | Actor, Director, Producer |
| Career Highlights | Dominated the British stage alongside Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud |
| Family Background | Non-theatrical family; father wanted him to become an actor |
| Notable Productions | Important West End success in Noël Coward’s “Private Lives” (1930) |
| Films | “Wuthering Heights” (1939) |
| Awards | Knighthood (1947) |
| Legacy | National Theatre’s largest auditorium named in his honor |
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (born Laurence Kerr O’Neill) was born in 1907 – died in 1989; he was an English stage, screen, and television actor. In 1980, he was knighted and presented with an American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.
41. Spencer Bonaventure Tracy
| Spencer Bonaventure Tracy | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Spencer Bonaventure Tracy |
| Birthdate | April 5, 1900 |
| Birthplace | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Death | June 10, 1967 (aged 67) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Notable Achievements | First actor to win two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actor |
| Film Career | Appeared in 75 films |
| Partnerships | Worked extensively with Katharine Hepburn and director Stanley Kramer |
| Education | Attended Ripon College and received a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Personal Life | Struggled with severe alcoholism and guilt over his son’s deafness |
| Last Film | Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) |
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was born in 1900. He was renowned for his flexibility and natural performance manner. One of the prominent figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Tracy was the first performer to get two Best Actor Academy Award nominations in a row. He performed in 75 movies during his career, earning him a reputation as one of the best performers to ever grace the screen among his contemporaries. Tracy was named the 9th best male star of Classic Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999.
42. Paul Leonard Newman
| Paul Leonard Newman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paul Leonard Newman |
| Born | January 26, 1925 |
| Birthplace | Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 26, 2008 |
| Education | Kenyon College (BA), Yale University |
| Occupations | Actor, film director, race car driver, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1949-2008 |
| Organizations | SeriousFun Children’s Network, Safe Water Network |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Jackie Witte (m. 1949; div. 1958), Joanne Woodward (m. 1958) |
| Children | 6, including Scott, Nell, and Melissa |
| Military career | United States Navy |
| Major Film Roles | Eddie Felson in “The Hustler” (1961), Hud Bannon in “Hud” (1963), Lew Harper in “Harper” (1966), Luke Jackson in “Cool Hand Luke” (1967), Butch Cassidy in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969), Judge Roy Bean in “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” (1972), Henry “Shaw” Gondorff in “The Sting” (1973), Doug Roberts in “The Towering Inferno” (1974), Reggie Dunlop in “Slap Shot” (1977), Murphy in “Fort Apache, The Bronx” (1981), Doc Hudson in “Cars” (2006) |
| Awards | Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award, Primetime Emmy Award, Silver Bear, Cannes Film Festival Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award |
| Philanthropy | Co-founder of Newman’s Own, donated over US$570 million to charity; Founder of SeriousFun Children’s Network and Safe Water Network |
Paul Leonard Newman was born in 1925. He is an American actor, film director, producer, and former racing driver. He is a three-time Academy Award and seven-time Golden Globe Award, winner. On the AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Stars list of the top 50 male and female stars of classic Hollywood cinema, Newman was ranked as No. 6 (his co-star Joanne Woodward as No. 3), making them one of only two married couples to appear on the list together.
43. Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins
| Sir Philip Anthony | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins |
| Birthdate | December 31, 1937 |
| Birthplace | Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales |
| Occupations | Actor, Director, Producer, Composer, Painter |
| Years Active | 1960–present |
Philip Anthony Hopkins was born in the United Kingdom in 1937. He is an English actor. After two decades of starring in films, He rose to popularity worldwide thanks to his portrayal of the cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
44. Dustin Hoffman
| Dustin Hoffman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dustin Hoffman |
| Birthdate | August 8, 1937 (age 85) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other Names | Sam Etic |
| Education | Los Angeles Conservatory of Music Pasadena Playhouse Actors Studio |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1960–present |
| Spouses | Anne Byrne (m. 1969; div. 1980) Lisa Gottsegen (m. 1980) |
| Children | 6, including Jake Hoffman |
| Awards | Two Academy Awards Four BAFTA Awards Five Golden Globe Awards Two Primetime Emmy Awards |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Notable Films | The Graduate (1967) Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) Rain Man (1988) Tootsie (1982) Marathon Man (1976) |
| Broadway | A Cook for Mr. General (1961) Death of a Salesman (1984) |
| Additional Honors | Cecil B. DeMille Award (1997) AFI Life Achievement Award (1999) Kennedy Center Honors Award (2012) |
| Notable Quote | “An actor with the everyman’s face who embodied the heartbreakingly human.” |
In 1937, Dustin Lee Hoffman was born. He is an American filmmaker, producer, and Actor. He is best known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. Hoffman won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1980 for his role as Benjamin Braddock in “Kramer vs. Kramer”, and in 1989 for his role as Raymond Babbitt in “Rain Man”.
45. Thomas Jeffrey Hanks
| Thomas Jeffrey Hanks | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Jeffrey Hanks |
| Birthdate | July 9, 1956 |
| Birthplace | Concord, California, U.S. |
| Citizenship | United States, Greece |
| Alma Mater | Chabot College California State University, Sacramento |
| Occupations | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 1977–present |
| Works | List of performances |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Samantha Lewes (m. 1978; div. 1987) Rita Wilson (m. 1988) |
| Children | 4, including Colin and Chet |
| Relatives | Jim Hanks (brother) Larry Hanks (brother) |
| Film Industry Impact | Recognized as an American cultural icon |
| Box Office Success | Films grossed over $4.9 billion in North America |
| Honors and Awards | AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honor, |
| Notable Collaborations | Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Nora Ephron, |
| Range of Roles | Comedic and dramatic roles |
| Television Success | Seven Primetime Emmy Awards as a producer |
| Theater Background | Studied theater at Chabot College and |
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born in 1956 in Concord, California. He is an American film actor and voice actor. He has also appeared in many other movies, including “Sleepless in Seattle”, and “Big”.
46. Sir Daniel Day-Lewis
| Sir Daniel Day Lewis | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Daniel Day-Lewis |
| Birthdate | April 29, 1957 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom, Ireland |
| Alma Mater | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Occupation | Retired Actor |
| Years Active | 1971–2017 |
| Spouse | Rebecca Miller |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Cecil Day-Lewis (father), Jill Balcon (mother) |
| Notable Awards | 3 Academy Awards, 4 BAFTA Awards |
| Knighthood | Received in 2014 for services to drama |
| Notable Films | My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln |
| Retirement | Announced retirement from acting in 2017 |
Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis was born in 1957. He is an English actor who holds both British and Irish citizenship. He has won three Academy Awards for Best Actor for his portrayals of Christy Brown in “My Left Foot” (1989), Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood” (2007), and Abraham Lincoln in “Lincoln” (2012).
47. Alfredo James Pacino
| Alfredo James Pacino | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alfredo James Pacino |
| Birthdate | April 25, 1940 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Other Names | Al Pacino |
| 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 Productions | Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack, Hunters |
| Stage Career | Tony Awards for Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? and The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, revivals of Hughie, Salome, Orphans, The Merchant of Venice, Glengarry Glen Ross |
| Directorial Work | Looking for Richard, Chinese Coffee, Wilde Salomé, Salomé |
| Organizations | Actors Studio, The Mirror Theater Ltd |
Alfredo James Pacino was born in 1940. He is an American actor. He has had four Academy Award nominations and two victories, including the Best Supporting Actor award for “Scent of a Woman” (1992), “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975), and “And Justice for All” (1976). (1979)
48. Robert Anthony De Niro Jr
| Robert Anthony De | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Anthony De Niro Jr |
| Birthdate | August 17, 1943 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, Film Producer |
| Years Active | 1963–present |
| Notable Collaborations | Martin Scorsese |
| Awards | Two Academy Awards, Golden Globe Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award |
| Influence | Considered one of the most influential actors of his generation |
| Education | Studied acting at HB Studio, Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio |
| Filmography | Extensive filmography including award-winning roles |
| Television Roles | Portrayed Bernie Madoff in “The Wizard of Lies” and portrayed Robert Mueller on “Saturday Night Live” |
| Production Company | Co-founded TriBeCa Productions in 1989 |
| Tribeca Film Festival | Co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002 |
| Cultural Significance | Six of De Niro’s films inducted into the United States National Film Registry |
| Ethnic Background | Irish, Italian, Dutch, English, French, and German ancestry |
In 1943, Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. was born in New York. He is an American actor and director best known for portraying mobster Vito Corleone in the crime film “The Godfather Part II” (1974). He ranks among the top 10 highest-grossing actors of all time, having starred in some of the most popular films released during his career.
49. Marlon Brando Jr.
| Marlon Brando Jr | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marlon Brando Jr. |
| Birthdate | April 3, 1924 |
| Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, activist |
| Career Span | 1944–2004 |
Marlon Brando Jr. was born in 1924. He is an American actor, film director, and activist. He is noted for breaking cultural taboos and revolutionizing film acting with his “Method” acting technique, which incorporated emotional memory as a tool for channeling his performance into the work. Brando has been ranked as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time by the American Film Institute.
Marlon Brando Jr. was an American actor known for his influential performances in Hollywood. If you are a fan of his work, check out this article on Top 21 Famous Movie Stars of the 1950s for other legendary talents from that era.
50. 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 |
| 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 | 3 Academy Awards, 3 BAFTA Awards, 6 Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award |
| Recognitions | American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honor |
| Notable Films | One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, Batman, The Departed, The Bucket List |
| Career Highlights | Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time |
John Joseph Nicholson was born in 1937. He is an American film, stage, and television Actor known for his tough-guy image. Nicholson is acknowledged as one of the finest actors of all time, with roles in some of the most well-known movies ever produced. For his portrayal of George C. Scott’s brother in “Patton,” he was honored with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1970).