The Most Successful Actor, Ranked

Choose the actor you think is the most successful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:57
In the world of cinema, the success of films often hinges on the talent and appeal of their leading stars. Actors play a pivotal role in drawing audiences into the narrative, delivering performances that can elevate a movie from ordinary to extraordinary. Tracking who stands out in this competitive field not only recognizes their skill and hard work but also guides movie lovers in choosing what to watch next. By participating in ranking the most successful actors, audiences can voice their opinions and influence the list, potentially affecting future casting and film production decisions. This dynamic interaction ensures that the list remains current and reflective of public opinion, while also keeping fans engaged in the cinematic arts. It's a fun way to support your favorites and see how they stack up against their peers.

What Is the Most Successful Actor?

  1. 1
    101
    votes
    Tom Hanks
    U.S. Department of State · Public domain
    With a career spanning over three decades, Tom Hanks has won two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other accolades. He has delivered memorable performances in movies such as Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, and many more.
    The 'Tom Hanks' voice is a popular voice used in various media applications, known for its warm and friendly tone. It is named after the renowned American actor Tom Hanks, whose voice is widely recognized and admired.
    • Clarity: Clear and articulate
    • Tone: Warm and friendly
    • Emotional range: Versatile, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions
    • Naturalness: Smooth and natural sounding
    • Soothing: Creates a sense of calmness and comfort
    Tom Hanks in other rankings
  2. 2
    39
    votes

    Meryl Streep

    Meryl Streep herself
    Meryl Streep is widely considered to be one of the greatest actresses of all time. She has won three Academy Awards, eight Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for her performances in movies such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more.
    Meryl Streep is considered one of the most successful and highly acclaimed actors in the film industry. With a career spanning over four decades, she has garnered numerous awards and accolades for her exceptional talent and versatility. Streep is known for her ability to immerse herself in a wide range of complex characters, bringing them to life with remarkable depth and authenticity.
    • Number of Academy Award nominations: 21
    • Number of Academy Award wins: 3
    • Number of Golden Globe nominations: 32
    • Number of Golden Globe wins: 8
    • Number of Primetime Emmy Award nominations: 4
    Meryl Streep in other rankings
  3. 3
    23
    votes
    Robert De Niro
    Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Robert De Niro

    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro has been a prominent actor in Hollywood for over five decades. He has won two Academy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and many more.
    Robert De Niro is an American actor, producer, and director. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, known for his intense performances and ability to fully immerse himself in his roles.
    • Date of Birth: August 17, 1943
    • Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States
    • Nationality: American
    • Height: 5 feet 9.5 inches (1.77 meters)
    • Film Debut: Greetings (1968)
    Robert De Niro in other rankings
  4. 4
    26
    votes

    Denzel Washington

    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as Glory, Training Day, Malcolm X, and many more. He is considered one of the most influential actors of his generation.
    Denzel Washington is a highly acclaimed and successful American actor known for his powerful performances and versatility. He has excelled in a wide range of roles, including drama, action, and historical characters. With his impressive acting skills, charisma, and dedication to his craft, Denzel Washington has become one of the most respected and influential actors in the industry.
    • Birthdate: December 28, 1954
    • Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, USA
    • Academy Awards: 2 (Best Actor for 'Training Day' in 2002, Best Supporting Actor for 'Glory' in 1990)
    • Golden Globe Awards: 3 (Best Actor for 'The Hurricane' in 2000, Best Actor for 'Training Day' in 2002, Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016)
    • Total Filmography: Approximately 60 films
    Denzel Washington in other rankings
  5. 5
    19
    votes
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Leonardo DiCaprio

    Leonardo DiCaprio
    Leonardo DiCaprio has won one Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as The Revenant, The Departed, Titanic, and many more. He is known for his ability to portray complex characters on screen.
    Leonardo DiCaprio is a highly acclaimed American actor known for his versatility and engaging performances. He has garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim over the course of his career.
    • Age: 46
    • Birthdate: November 11, 1974
    • Nationality: American
    • Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
    • Notable Films: Titanic, The Departed, Inception, The Wolf of Wall Street
    Leonardo DiCaprio in other rankings
  6. 6
    12
    votes

    Al Pacino

    Al Pacino
    Al Pacino has won one Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as The Godfather, Scarface, Scent of a Woman, and many more. He is regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.
    Al Pacino is a highly successful American actor known for his powerful and intense performances. He has been active in the entertainment industry for over five decades and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinema history.
    • Age: 81
    • Birthdate: April 25, 1940
    • Nationality: American
    • Academy Awards: 1 (Best Actor - 'Scent of a Woman')
    • Golden Globe Awards: 4
    Al Pacino in other rankings
  7. 7
    6
    votes

    Jack Nicholson

    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson has won three Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining, As Good as It Gets, and many more. He is one of the most iconic actors of his generation.
    Jack Nicholson is an iconic American actor known for his versatile performances and intense on-screen presence. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including three Academy Awards. Nicholson's charismatic and often unpredictable characters have made him one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood history.
    • Date of Birth: April 22, 1937
    • Nationality: American
    • Academy Awards: 3
    • Golden Globe Awards: 7
    • BAFTA Awards: 2
    Jack Nicholson in other rankings
  8. 8
    15
    votes

    Daniel Day-Lewis

    Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis
    Daniel Day-Lewis has won three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as Lincoln, There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, and many more. He is known for his method acting and ability to fully immerse himself in his characters.
    Daniel Day-Lewis is considered one of the most successful actors in the film industry. Known for his extraordinary talent and remarkable dedication to his craft, he has received numerous accolades and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
    • Academy Awards: 3
    • BAFTA Awards: 4
    • Golden Globe Awards: 2
    • Screen Actors Guild Awards: 1
    • Critics' Choice Movie Awards: 4
  9. 9
    6
    votes

    Anthony Hopkins

    Anthony Hopkins himself
    Anthony Hopkins has won one Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as The Silence of the Lambs, The Remains of the Day, Thor, and many more. He is regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
    Anthony Hopkins is an accomplished and highly respected actor known for his versatility and powerful performances in both film and theatre. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award for Best Actor. Hopkins is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation and has left an indelible mark on the world of acting.
    • Date of Birth: December 31, 1937
    • Place of Birth: Port Talbot, Wales
    • Nationality: British
    • Height: 5'8" (1.73 m)
    • First Major Film: The Lion in Winter (1968)
    Anthony Hopkins in other rankings
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    Gary Oldman
    Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Gary Oldman

    Gary Oldman himself
    Gary Oldman has won one Academy Award, one BAFTA Award, and numerous other awards for his performances in movies such as Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Dark Knight, and many more. He is known for his versatility and ability to transform into different characters.
    Gary Oldman is a British actor known for his versatility and remarkable performances in various genres of film. He is considered one of the most talented and respected actors of his generation.
    • Born: March 21, 1958
    • Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.74 meters)
    • Nationality: British
    • Number of Academy Awards: 1
    • Number of BAFTA Awards: 2
    Gary Oldman in other rankings

Missing your favorite actor?

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Ranking factors for successful actor

  1. Box office success
    One way to determine an actor's success is by looking at their box office performance. This includes the overall revenue generated by the films they have starred in and how their films have performed in relation to others.
  2. Critical acclaim
    Critical acclaim can also be an indicator of an actor's success. An actor who consistently receives positive reviews for their performances in a variety of roles can be considered successful.
  3. Award recognition
    Winning industry awards, such as Academy Awards or Golden Globes, is another factor that can contribute to an actor's success.
  4. Popularity
    An actor's popularity among fans can be a key factor in determining their success. This includes factors such as social media following, fanbase, and overall cultural impact.
  5. Range of roles
    A successful actor should be able to demonstrate their range by taking on a variety of roles and convincingly portraying each one.
  6. Longevity
    An actor who has been able to sustain a successful career over a long period of time can also be considered successful.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful 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

  • 2729 views
  • 253 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 successful actor

When it comes to the entertainment industry, there are countless talented actors who have graced the big and small screens. But what makes an actor truly successful? Is it their ability to take on diverse roles and portray them convincingly? Is it their popularity and fan following? Or is it the awards and accolades they have received throughout their career? There's no one answer to this question, as success can be defined in many different ways. However, some actors have managed to achieve a level of success that is hard to ignore. From iconic performances in classic films to memorable roles in recent blockbusters, these actors have left an indelible mark on the industry and continue to captivate audiences around the world. So who are these actors? While there are many contenders for the title of "most successful actor," some names that often come up in discussions include Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, and Robert De Niro, to name just a few. These actors have not only delivered critically acclaimed performances but have also managed to maintain long and successful careers in an industry that can be notoriously fickle. Of course, success can also be measured in more tangible ways, such as box office earnings and awards won. Actors like Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson have consistently topped the box office charts and have been recognized for their talents with numerous awards and nominations. Ultimately, the most successful actor is subjective and can vary depending on who you ask. But one thing is for sure - the entertainment industry

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