List RulesVote up and add all of the actors and actresses who you think are the very best.
The best actors and actresses of all time, male and female, ranked by film fans worldwide. This list of greatest actors and actresses attempts to answer the question “Who are the best actors of all time?” by incorporating the views and opinions of all members of the Ranker Community. Keep in mind, as you vote or add a top actor or actress you see missing, that we are rating these actors on their body of work, not just what they have done recently! Some of the greatest actors of all time have not necessarily acted in a project in the past 5 years, but they still deserve to be on this greatest actresses and actors of all time list.
Top actors and actresses in films are judged by their acting ability and their mastery of roles that they have played over the years. Many of these great actors have videos of their best roles for you to view so you can refresh yourself on the best works of your favorite actors as you consider your votes for top thespians of all time. Nominate your picks for the top actors & actresses by making a list of your own. Then come back to the Master List and vote up your favorites!
For lists separated by gender, check out our lists of the best actors of all time and the best actresses in film history.
list ordered by
1
22,8407,550
Tom Hanksage 62
2
10,0894,506
vivian addedBette DavisDec. at 81 (1908-1989)– The Letter, What ever happened to Baby Jane, Jezabel
3
10,6478,593
Marlon BrandoDec. at 80 (1924-2004)
4
16,22014,305
Jack Nicholsonage 81
5
7,2074,519
Katharine HepburnDec. at 96 (1907-2003)
6
14,50611,256
Robert De Niroage 75
7
9,3044,220
James StewartDec. at 89 (1908-1997)
8
9,7724,832
Dustin Hoffmanage 81
9
10,8994,989
Anthony Hopkinsage 81
did you know?Robert De Niro fans upvote Jeff Bridges on this listPeople over 50 are 2x more likely to vote for Henry FondaAnthony Hopkins is also ranked #2of 300 on The Greatest British Actors of All Time
10
5,6213,567
Humphrey BogartDec. at 58 (1899-1957)
11
11,8125,625
Morgan Freemanage 81
12
8,0023,961
Audrey HepburnDec. at 64 (1929-1993)
13
12,9668,560
Al Pacinoage 78
BEST TVfrequently voted on nextThe Best New Shows That Have Premiered Since 2015
With so many great TV series currently airing, we narrowed down the best TV shows since 2015. Our list of the highest rated shows of the past three years is ranked by viewers from …more
14
14,9908,189
NickPeek addedMeryl Streepage 69
15
6,2173,113
Cary GrantDec. at 82 (1904-1986)
16
6,9802,910
Gregory PeckDec. at 87 (1916-2003)
17
9,3844,372
Clint Eastwoodage 88
18
5,3153,507
Charlie ChaplinDec. at 88 (1889-1977)
winners & losers
#1. Beetlejuice is rising on The Funniest Howard Stern Wack Packers
#3. Dorothea Lange is rising on The Best Portrait Photographers
#1. Manny Pacquiáo is rising on The Best Flyweight Boxers of All Time
19
9,2313,371
Paul NewmanDec. at 83 (1925-2008)
20
6,8062,573
Ingrid BergmanDec. at 67 (1915-1982)
21
7,1113,015
Laurence OlivierDec. at 82 (1907-1989)
22
9,3023,571
Gene Hackmanage 88
23
8,4073,767
Jodie Fosterage 56
BEST ATHLETESRonaldinhofalling to #5 onThe Best Soccer Players of All Time
Whether you call it soccer or football, this extensive list of the greatest soccer players of all time is ranked by fans worldwide. Who are the best soccer players ever? …more
24
8,9933,400
Michael Caineage 85
25
9,3223,320
Robert Duvallage 87
26
12,80211,320
Leonardo DiCaprioage 44
27
10,57911,475
Johnny Deppage 55
did you know?Marlon Brando fans upvote Ben Kingsley on this listPeople over 50 are 2x more likely to vote for Laurence OlivierBette Davis is also ranked #5 of 892 on The Best Actresses in Film History
28
7,7752,770
Henry FondaDec. at 77 (1905-1982)
29
9,3278,576
Denzel Washingtonage 64
30
6,9443,104
Sean Conneryage 88
31
6,2263,747
Liam Neesonage 66
32
7,4495,792
Sazonana addedDaniel Day Lewisage 61
33
7,2934,327
Harrison Fordage 76
ENTERTAINMENTTom Hanksrising to #1 onThe Best (Male) Actors Working Today
The best actors working today include Hollywood legends, Academy Award winners and many of the top up and coming actors in the world right now. These talented and beautiful men gra…more
34
8,9336,473
Robin WilliamsDec. at 63 (1951-2014)
35
6,8243,399
Gary Oldmanage 60
36
6,3862,536
Christopher Walkenage 75
winners & losers
#1. Ansel Adams is rising on The Best Landscape Photographers of All Time
#1. George Carlin is rising on The Funniest Comedians on the Howard Stern Show
#1. Bianca Del Rio is rising on The Greatest Drag Race Contestants of All Time, Ranked
37
6,6742,251
Tommy Lee Jonesage 72
38
6,7854,197
Robert Downey Jr.age 53
39
4,8471,932
Judi Denchage 84
40
4,6171,851
Helen Mirrenage 73
41
7,4823,799
Kevin Spaceyage 59
42
5,0522,759
Edward Nortonage 49
43
4,2892,011
Cate Blanchettage 49
44
5,2122,579
Kate Winsletage 43
45
5,4312,979
Christian Baleage 44
46
5,7544,199
Brad Pittage 55
47
5,1793,281
Matt Damonage 48
48
5,2472,923
Samuel L. Jacksonage 70
49
5,3012,865
Heath LedgerDec. at 29 (1979-2008)
50
3,7441,481
Alan Rickmanage 72
51
4,5152,953
Russell Croweage 54
52
3,8782,220
Sidney Poitierage 91
53
3,5202,201
Philip Seymour HoffmanDec. at 47 (1967-2014)
POPULAR OPINIONClint Eastwoodrising to #1 onThe Coolest Actors Ever
As movie fans, we like to think of our favorite actors as being larger than life. With all of the coverage that these stars get, these cool customers know how to function both on a…more
54
3,2271,437
Maggie Smithage 84
55
3,8581,830
Jack LemmonDec. at 76 (1925-2001)
56
3,1241,913
Elizabeth TaylorDec. at 79 (1932-2011)
57
3,1901,733
Robert Redfordage 82
58
2,7781,573
Emma Thompsonage 59
59
3,8541,709
Hugh Jackmanage 50
60
3,1731,439
MissTempeste added
Kathy Batesage 70
61
3,2291,673
Sally Fieldage 72
62
2,5801,527
Ralph Fiennesage 56
63
3,8302,179
Sandra Bullockage 54
VOTEDustin Hoffmanrising to #8 onThe Best Actors in Film History
The best actors ever are ranked here in this list of the best actors in film history. These are the greatest actors ever to appear on the silver screen – male only (to vote on both…more
Robert De Niro fans upvote Jeff Bridges on this list
People over 50 are 2x more likely to vote for Henry Fonda
Anthony Hopkins is also ranked #2of 300 on The Greatest British Actors of All Time
#1. Beetlejuice is rising on The Funniest Howard Stern Wack Packers
#3. Dorothea Lange is rising on The Best Portrait Photographers
#1. Manny Pacquiáo is rising on The Best Flyweight Boxers of All Time
People over 50 are 2x more likely to vote for Laurence Olivier
Bette Davis is also ranked #5 of 892 on The Best Actresses in Film History
#1. Ansel Adams is rising on The Best Landscape Photographers of All Time
#1. George Carlin is rising on The Funniest Comedians on the Howard Stern Show
#1. Bianca Del Rio is rising on The Greatest Drag Race Contestants of All Time, Ranked
