The Most Famous Jesus Actor, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the actor you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 1, 2024 07:09

Throughout film history, the portrayal of Jesus has been a defining role for many actors, each bringing their own unique interpretation to one of history’s most iconic figures. These performances have varied widely, influenced by different artistic visions and cultural backgrounds, which makes comparing them a fascinating study in cinematic interpretation. By participating in this ranking, you contribute to a crowd-sourced appreciation of these portrayals, highlighting which interpretations resonate most powerfully with audiences today. This dynamic tally not only reflects popular opinion but also sparks conversations about the qualities that make these portrayals stand out.

Who Is the Most Famous Jesus Actor?

1

80
votes

Genevieve · CC BY 2.0

Jim Caviezel

He played Jesus in the 2004 movie "The Passion of the Christ", which was directed by Mel Gibson. He gave a powerful and emotional performance that resonated with audiences around the world.
2

31
votes
Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0

Max von Sydow

He played Jesus in the 1965 movie "The Greatest Story Ever Told", which was directed by George Stevens. He brought a sense of gravitas and dignity to the role, and his performance is still considered one of the best portrayals of Jesus on film.
Max von Sydow in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Swedish actor
3

22
votes

Robert Powell

He played Jesus in the 1977 TV miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth", which was directed by Franco Zeffirelli. He gave a nuanced and thoughtful performance that captured the complexities of the character.
4

11
votes
Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0

Willem Dafoe

He played Jesus in the 1988 movie "The Last Temptation of Christ", which was directed by Martin Scorsese. He gave a controversial and unconventional performance that challenged traditional depictions of Jesus.
Willem Dafoe in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous actor from Wisconsin
5

13
votes

Warner Bros. Pictures · Public domain

Jeffrey Hunter

He played Jesus in the 1961 movie "King of Kings", which was directed by Nicholas Ray. He gave a charismatic and dynamic performance that captured the passion and intensity of the character.
6

13
votes

Rui Unas · CC BY 3.0

Diogo Morgado

He played Jesus in the 2013 TV miniseries "The Bible", which was created by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. He gave a captivating and compassionate performance that resonated with viewers of all ages.
7

10
votes

Heroes & Villains · CC BY-SA 2.0

Victor Garber

He played Jesus in the 2000 TV movie "Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith", which was directed by Kevin Connor. He gave a sensitive and understated performance that emphasized the humanity of the character.
8

8
votes

Brian Deacon

He played Jesus in the 1979 movie "Jesus", which was directed by Peter Sykes. He gave a humble and introspective performance that focused on the teachings and philosophy of Jesus.
9

4
votes
Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Christian Bale

He played Jesus in the 1999 movie "Mary, Mother of Jesus", which was directed by Kevin Connor. He gave a nuanced and complex performance that explored the inner conflict of the character.
Christian Bale in other rankings
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- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult person to work with
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Aquarius celebrity
10

2
votes

icmags derivative work: RanZag (talk) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Haaz Sleiman

He played Jesus in the 2020 TV series "Messiah", which was created by Michael Petroni. He gave a modern and multicultural performance that challenged traditional depictions of Jesus.

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Ranking factors for famous actor

Performance

The quality of the actor's performance and how well they portrayed Jesus on screen.
Popularity

The actor's popularity and fan base.
Significance

The importance of the actor's portrayal of Jesus in the context of film history.
Cultural impact

How well the actor's portrayal of Jesus resonated with audiences and contributed to popular culture.
Critical acclaim

The reception of the actor's portrayal of Jesus, including awards and nominations.
Historical accuracy

How accurately the actor represents Jesus as a historical figure.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Jesus actor. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or actor is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2190 views
190 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each actor once every 24 hours. The rank of each actor is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous jesus actor

The figure of Jesus has been a popular subject in films for decades. From biblical epics to more modern interpretations, there have been many actors who have portrayed the Messiah on the big screen. But who among them is the most famous? This question has sparked many debates among film enthusiasts and religious scholars alike. Some may argue that Charlton Heston's portrayal of Jesus in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" is the most iconic, while others may point to Jim Caviezel's performance in "The Passion of the Christ" as the most memorable. Regardless of personal opinions, there's no denying that the figure of Jesus continues to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers to create new interpretations of his story.