Top 50 All Time Favourite Actors and Actresses

Before I begin this list, I should first mention why I've missed out a Review of the Week and a Videos and Song of the Week. Reason for this is because what I thought would be easier than last year's lists, turns out to be a lot more harder than I anticipated. So what's happening is that I'm going to try and get all the lists for the rest of the month, done and then things will be back to the way they were and I think in future, I will just stick to only 4 ranking lists every January instead of 12. It would just be easier that way and I will have more time to do reviews of anything that I missed out in the past year. So sorry about that, let's talk about actors:

When you make a film, TV show, video game or even a music video, one of the most important things needed in those forms of media, are actors and there are loads of them out there in the world. Some are good, some are bad and some are just hit or miss. A lot of the time if the film is successful, then the actors involved are regarded as great actors, but if the film isn't successful, then they are considered bad actors, but that may not necessarily be their fault. These are 50 of my all time favourite actors all of which I have seen in action in more than once and have loved seeing them in action. So with that said, let's begin the list:

50 - Scarlett Johanson

She is one of the sexiest women alive (according to certain celebrity magazines) and anyone who has seen the Marvel Cinematic Universe films will know that she can kick ass as well as be a great actress. Most people who see a lot of films, will know her in many different romantic films and dramas with her films in the MCU being the only exceptions. She can act well when she needs too and can kick ass as well.

49 - Keria Knightley

While her film career did start with the worst ever Star Wars film ever made, she has gone on to be in a number of films where she turned to piracy, became a footballer and has appeared in a number of dramas and romantic films. She has earned numerous awards and nominations over the years, she isn't afraid to show a bit of flesh and while many have criticised her for being lucky, its all down to her acting that has made her a great actress.

48 - Mark Hamill

Known to many as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars and having been among the many actors to have portrayed the Joker while providing his own distinct style of voice acting, Mark Hamill has done well for himself. He became known for his role in the original trilogy of Star Wars, but it wasn't until he voiced the clown prince of crime in Batman: The Animated Series where his name became well known. He's great as a voice actor and he's great at all the other things he does and of all the celebrities that I want to meet, he would be on the list because I just think he is awesome at what he does and I couldn't for a second believe that the guy who was a Jedi in Star Wars, also managed to provide the voice of Joker. I mean just wow, I did not see that coming.

47 - Kevin Conroy

In my eyes, Kevin Conroy is one of the best actors to have portrayed Batman even if it was just a voice and not physically. In fact, I know some people who actually overlook him as Batman because many see Bale and Keaton as the best Batman, but its Conroy who invented the 2 voice style where he would have a voice for Batman and a slightly but noticeable different voice for Bruce Wayne, therefore allowing his Bruce to conceal his identity and this would then be used by actors who came after Conroy to portray Batman, among them being Bale. But Batman isn't the only thing that Conroy has done as he has also done a number of TV shows and video games, but I think we can all agree that he will always be committed to being the voice of Batman in as many DC projects as he can handle because even though he started off being the voice in the first true animated show, he has also provided the voice in other DC projects like the remainder of the DC Animated Universe, the Batman films in the DC Animated Original Moves line and more recently, the Batman Arkham video games. Like with Hamill, he is another celebrity that I would like to meet, just so I can hear him as Batman because let's face it, that's all we will ever want to get from him.

46 - Tim Curry

Now most people would know Tim Curry as a guy who would typically be cast in villainous roles. He fact, I believe he was the one that invented the typical villain stereotype with the British accent, the cunningness and the ways of how they can be evil. But I think most people who know him as that cross dressing Doctor Frank in his film debut The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Of course, he has also done the works of Shakesphere (and let's face it, who British actor hasn't) and has worked in a diverse range of things like films, television and stage. He's done it all, he helped make what the typical villain stereotype is today and everyone loves him for it. The only downside to him is that I was first introduced to him in Muppet Treasure Island which isn't a bad film in any way, but it isn't really the best way to introduce people to such a great and well known actor like him.

45 - Martin Sheen

So among these famous faces, Martin Sheen is one that I like, but for very specific roles. I liked him as Uncle Ben in The Amazing Spider-Man and as the real Seymour Skinner in that one Simpsons episode from a long time ago, but of all the roles he's done, the one I like the most, is The Illusive Man in 2 of the 3 (and soon to be 4) games of the Mass Effect trilogy. Most people would generally see him as a generally good guy, but it was The Illusive Man who managed to tell us all that Martin Sheen can be quite an imitating and creepy villain if not a good business man. And really that's why I like him. Yes he has done a number of other roles as well and has been nominated a number of times and has won many awards, but its just how he can play some really creative and unique characters that just makes me like him a lot.

44 - Jack Black

Now I know that there are many people out there who just can't stand Jack Black, but I'm one of the few that actually likes him. He does try very hard to bring out a performance that many would just say that he's trying too hard, but for me, I think he's a great guy. He's a rockstar and he has bought to life a cowardly shark and a panda who knows kung fu, but as for his live action roles, I am in agreement that a number of them, put people off because he just tries too hard and I think if those scenes of him trying too hard were cut out, then many people would actually warm up to him more. That's just my take on the criticism that he gets. He's great as a voice actor, comedian and rockstar, but as for his live action roles, all I can say is just be yourself and don't try to hard to be great because Jack Black, you're already great and you don't need to show that you can be greater.

43 - Bill Murray

One of the original Ghostbusters and generally a great actor overall, Bill Murray has done a lot of films. He is best known for his comedies (especially Ghostbusters), but it wasn't until Lost in Translation where he showed the world that he is more than a comedy actor. I like him for his acting style and that he can just do any role. Whatever role he is given, he can do it with ease. He is just great at what he does. Can't say any more than that.

42 - Harrison Ford

Best known as the intergalactic smuggler Han Solo in the original trilogy of Star Wars and one of the world's greatest treasure hunters and adventurers Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford can be best described as an Action Hero. The majority of his films have had him in roles that require a lot of action and at his age, he is still going which is great. I think if anything, action will always be his preferred genre of film and I wouldn't have it any other way.

41 - Matt Damon

Regarded by many as the most bankable star in Hollywood, Matt Damon has done a lot for the industry. He played rouge secret agent James Bourne in the Bourne trilogy (minus the terrible Legacy) and has been in a number of successful and not so successful films in his long career as an actor. He has won countless awards, been given his own star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame, done voice over work in advertisements and so many other great stuff. This is a guy who clearly knows what he is doing when it comes to acting and I wouldn't have it any other way.

40 - Liam Neeson

One of the things that I like about Liam here is that the majority of the films that he has been in, feel like watching him in the same role over again. I mean the genre he is typically cast in is action and survival which in my eyes are two great genres which often do require a lot of work to make them work, but his presence makes it less work than it needs to be. He was won many awards and while he did indeed star in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace which even though had a handful of good bits, was an otherwise terrible film, he also gave life into the split personality cop that is Good/Bad Cop in The LEGO Movie as well as play the leader of the League of Assassins Ra's Al Ghul (which Nolan is pronounced Raysh not Ras) in 2 of the 3 Batman films by Nolan. He's an all round great actor and also the first of this list to be Irish.

39 - John Hurt

Most of you may see John Hurt here as just The War Doctor, but those of us who have done our homework, will know that he is more than just that. He was Mr. Ollivander in 3 of the 8 Harry Potter films, Professor Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm in both Hellboy films, but was also Dr. Harold Oxley in the terrible Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. He has been in many film roles, has done the plays of Shakesphere and has won many awards. He is truly a great actor who definitely knows his stuff.

38 - Samuel L. Jackson

Having appeared in over 100 films and definitely knows how to kick ass and use curse words, Samuel L. Jackson is one bad ass actor. He has done it all. He's done action films, horror films, sci-fi films, gangster films, survival films and even superhero films. Is there no other film that he hasn't done? Well anyway, he has worked with many people including legends like George Lucas, Joss Whedon, Quentin Tarantino among many others and has won numerous awards which for the most part is for being one badass muther f**ker in the majority of the films he does. How is he still going is what I want to know now.

37 - Will Smith

Better known to many as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the original king of cool and keeping it real, Will Smith is one actor who knows how to act like he's just some average dude who is just trying to get somewhere in life. Better known to many as Agent J (Men in Black 1-3), Steve Hiller (Independence Day),  Mike Lowrey (Bad Boys 1 and 2, the only good Bay films from what I've heard), John Hancock (Hancock) and Deadshot in the upcoming Suicide Squad film, Will Smith certainly knows how to be cool and keep it real. Only issue I have with him is the way he tries to promote his kids so that they can be stars which as of now, they both are, but not as good as their father's rise to stardom. But anyway, I like Smith for his way of being cool and keeping it real and I hope he continues to show that in the rest of his career.

36 - Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of those actors who has been there and done that. I mean starting at age 19 and being good at what he does, he definitely knows how to act, having been in all of the 4 (and soon to be 5) Mission Impossible films and a number of films in the sci-fi, romance, comedy, horror and thriller genres. That's quite an undertaking if I do say so myself. He can act well in whatever he does and being one of Hollywood's biggest stars, he won't be going anywhere any time soon.

35 - George Clooney

Just wanted to get this out there. George Clooney was one of the worst actors to have played Batman like the way he did. Just wanted that out of the way before any of you guys start ranting. Anyway so another big Hollywood star George Clooney is, who has been in a number of films as well as working on films as a writer, producer and director, meaning that he is the full package. He can pretty much do anything when it comes to making and being in films. Most of us will know him from those Nescafe ads that you see on the TV, but you may also know him in a wide amount of films in the romance, sci-fi, horror, drama and comedy genres. Putting aside Batman & Robin, he has been in and worked on a number of successful films and everyone (myself included) loves him for what he does to entertain us.

34 - Robert Downey Jr.

Most of you will know him for two iconic roles which are Sherlock Holmes and of course, Iron Man. Starting his career at the young age of five, Robert Downey Jr. has done plenty of films in genres that many of us nerds and geeks out there enjoy and crave a lot and as such, many of us would want to meet this guy at conventions because quite frankly, he is an all round great guy. Taking from his father's footsteps, he has gone on to not only be an actor, but also a producer and to my surprise, a musician. He is a great guy and I would love to meet him if the opportunity came to me.

33 - Cate Blanchett

Having had the experience of being both on stage and on screen, Cate has managed to establish herself as an actress who can do anything regardless of where she is put. Many of us will know her as the royal elf Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, but what you may not know is that she has also appeared in Hot Fuzz in a cameo, the previously mentioned terrible Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as the main villain Colonel Dr. Irina Spalko, Ponyo as the voice of Grandmamare, How to Train Your Dragon 2 as the voice of Valka (Hiccup's long lost mother) and a number of theatre plays as well. She knows how to act, can act in all forms of media and certainly knows her stuff.

32 - Jeremy Irons

Much like with Tim Curry, Jeremy Irons is another one of those actors who helped shape the stereotypical villain role that we know and kind of love today. He is an English actor who has taken on the roles of Scar in the first Lion King film, Simon Gruber in Die Hard with a Vengeance (otherwise known as Die Hard 3) and Profion in the terrible Dungeons & Dragons. He, like with the other English actors previously mentioned, has also been on stage doing the works of Shakespeare and despite his way of over acting, many people such as myself, choose to like him, just because of how his over acting can be and while he hasn't been doing many big films as of late, we can all look forward to his take on Alfred Pennyworth in the upcoming DC Cinematic Universe films. I'm actually amazed that at the age that he is, he is still going strong and we all like him for it.

31 - Gary Oldman

Known by many to be one of the greatest actors that ever lived, Gary Oldman is by far, a great actor. He has done a lot of things in his long career, having played the godfather of Harry Potter, James Gordon in Nolan's Batman trilogy as well as his many roles in drama, sci-fi and fantasy films. And guess what, he is yet another actor who has done the works of Shakespeare with ease. He's been going for quite a long time and due to his many honours, he won't be going away any time soon. Gary Oldman, you are great at what you do and don't ever change.

30 - Edward Norton

Now Edward Norton is a bit of a funny one to me. He's done a fair amount of roles and has had the pleasure of taking on protagonist and antagonist roles as well as a number of supporting roles, thus making him quite an experienced actor in what he does. I think one of the regrets that he will have to this day is not being The Incredible Hulk in the MCU films in which he played the character only once before handing the helms over to Mark Ruffalo. I'm not saying that Ruffalo is a bad actor because he isn't. I just wished we got Norton to play the role a bit more than just one film. But that's just me. Another one of his big hits is the cult his Fight Club which was the film where I started to get to like him more as an actor and I think he has done well for himself. Maybe a few more roles in films that we nerds like to crave at, but other than that, I enjoy every film that he is in and hope to see more of him in the future.

29 - Ian McKellen

Better known to many as old Magneto in Fox's X-Men films and the great wizard Gandalf in the Middle-Earth films by Peter Jackson, Sir Ian knows his stuff. Having gained a number of awards and nominations for what he does, I actually though for a while that he would be best suited as a comedy actor. But it wasn't until I saw the mentioned films that I actually started to like him more as a serious actor who has been able to portray two iconic characters in films and has done a pretty good job of it as well as the other roles that he has. Once again, he is another actor who has done some stage work, especially with the works of Shakespeare and whether you see him as a comedy actor or not, just know that he can act with whatever he's given and he is a serious actor and that's why I like him.

28 - Heath Ledger

To many, Heath Ledger was only known for one film and that was The Dark Knight. Many thought he wouldn't do the part of the Joker right, but he proved them wrong and did his own take on it while also combining elements of other Jokers that have come before him and did a great job of it. But that's not the only film he has done and it also wasn't the very last film that he did. He had a small role in Monster's Ball (known to the Internet as that film with that sex scene where Halle Berry keeps saying "Make Me Feel Good"), played the protagonist in a film set in the medieval era but having modern references in it called A Knight's Tale and for his actual final film called The Inaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (in which he was one of the main characters, but died during filming and as such, was edited in such a way that it would still have Heath Ledger in there in some form and would be dedicated to him), he played a guy who joins this band of bizarre people who have their audience journey into their imagination. He may have been long gone by now, but Heath Ledger will always be remembered not just for the Joker, but for his other roles as well and it was fun while it lasted. Rest in peace man.

27 - Angelina Jolie

One thing I will make clear here is that I did follow Jolie's story of her being with Brad Pitt and honestly, I wasn't really that bothered by how it played out, unlike other people (*ahem* TMZ and the paparazzi). But anyway, Angelina Jolie is known by many to be in some way, a sex symbol. I don't know what it is about her, but many of us seem quite attracted to her just because of her different performances. She has been in many roles, especially in the action genre where she played the live action take on Lara Croft (the Tomb Raider films) as well as  Mrs. Smith (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), Grendel's Mother (from the terrible Beowulf), Lola (Shark Tale), Master Tigress (the Kung Fu Panda films) and most recently, Maleficent in the film of the same name. Based on my opinions of Maleficent, I can safely say that Jolie does know how to act and can act in a variety of roles regardless of what she is given and the best thing about her, is that most of her pay is given to charity which just shows how much she cares about her work and how much she cares about those who are less fortunate than her.

26 - Natalie Portman

I think in her early days, I would've found her attractive. But these days, not so much. But that doesn't mean that I don't like her because I do like her. Anyway, So Natalie Portman may be known better as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and as Jane Foster in the Thor films in the MCU. But other roles she has done include a ballet dancer in Black Swan, one of the presumed humans in Mars Attacks!, the main protagonist of the film adaptation of V for Vendetta and many others too. She has received a number of awards and nominations and like with some of the previously mentioned actors, she has tried out being not only an actor, but also a producer and director. I think she is great at what she does as long as she gets the right direction given to her.

25 - Johnny Depp

Now I don't know what it is that women find attractive about Depp, but I'm not here to talk about that. In my eyes, Depp has done a vast amount of roles which due to his collaborations with his friend Tim Burton, have been quite a variety of weird roles. He's been a pirate (and its wild west equivalent), the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Sweeny Todd, Edward Scissorhands and even a lizard to name a few. Despite this, he has received countless awards as well as being regarded as a great actor by pretty much anyone and whatever he does next, I'm sure he will do just fine.

24 - Russell Crowe

Now a lot of people see Russell Crowe as an actor who acts like he doesn't care about real acting which is what he is known to do in many of his films. But when he actually properly acts, then that's when he starts to shine. Of the roles he has done, he has been a gladiator, a police investigator, a gangster, an inspector and even Superman's true dad as well. He has got a rich library of great films and even though we can all agree that he's past his prime with regards to his acting, the films he has been in, have for the most part been great.

23 - Sean Bean

Only real reason why Sean Bean is on this list is because he is famous for being in roles where he dies. I mean talk about being predictable. But aside from that, he can act really well until his character dies or some other thing happens. Among his roles, he's been part of the Fellowship of the Ring, played the main antagonist in the first National Treasure film (likely to be the only film where his character doesn't die *spoiler alert*) and the 17th James Bond film but many of us will know him as playing the titular character in the Sharpe series. Whatever you think of him, he is a great actor, just a bit predictable with his choice of roles.

22 - Christopher Walken

Known to many as the guy with a funny way of speaking, Walken has been in over 100 films like some of the previously mentioned actors and it looks like he won't be retiring any time soon. He's a popular host on the American show Saturday Night Live having hosted the show 7 times and among his many films roles, he has been in villainous roles, father roles and even a few gangster roles. He has also done some voice work for various animated films and while some websites don't consider him to be, in many people's eyes, he's a comedian of sorts. He is a great guy and I would love to meet him if I ever got a chance to, if only if it was just to hear his funny voice.

21 - Ralph Fiennes

Known to be a Shakespeare interpreter and known for his roles as villains or just some creepy guy, Ralph is a guy who knows his stuff. He can be a great villain or the equivalent of such and can also be great in serious roles as well. He was Harry Potter's greatest enemy and is currently M in the James Bond films. He's had a number of awards and is known to have achieved his success through stage acting and as the serious actor that he is, he is great at it in anything that he is put in (except for The Avengers of course which was based on the British TV series and not the Avengers that we know and love).

20 - Christian Bale

Better known to many as one of the greatest actors to have played Batman and just as a general serious actor overall, Bale has done practically everything. He's been in many blockbuster films like The Dark Knight Trilogy and at least one Terminator film as well as a few art house productions and some independent projects. I will say that of all the actors on this list, he is one of a few who takes acting seriously and actually really does love doing it. But even so, those things have attracted some controversy around him in the sense that he would threaten or even beat up a member of the film crew if they ever got in his way of a very important scene, but he and the film crew would then make up afterwards so its not all bad. But whatever role you give him, you know he is going to perform his heart and soul out because that's who he is.

19 - Judi Dench

Like with the younger Gary Oldman, Judi Dench has been regarded as one of the greatest British actors that ever lived and at the age of 80, is still going which in my eyes is an amazing milestone to get to. She has done the works of Shakespeare, been in theatre shows and of course, has been in films as well which range from dramas to action flicks. She does well as an actress and always gives it her all and in my point of view, she does better as a serious actress while also doing a few light hearted roles too which is evened out. She has done a bit of voice acting as well and I think she will always do well with whatever role she is given.

18 - Hugh Jackman

Known for his long running role of Wolverine in Fox's X-Men film trilogy as well as his period and romantic roles and for also being a bit of a ladies man as well, Hugh Jackman has shown that even in the worst of films, he can act well without any hesitation. He has done many roles in both film and on the stage and even though he does see himself as some what of a serious actor, at least he's one of a few who has fun while doing so which is great. He's also a great singer which is an added bonus too.

17 - Colin Firth

I will admit, I have had my doubts about Colin Firth for a long time. But it wasn't until he was in The King's Speech where I then started to take him more seriously as an actor and since then, I have loved his work. There are still a few times where he does act but not in a great way, but I still like him. He's done quite a variety of roles which come in the form of things like being a member of the royal family, various romantic roles and even played an antagonist in the newer (and also not great) St Trinians films. He is set to be in Kingsman: The Secret Service which I have heard good things about so far so he remains at number 17 for the time being and until he gets better roles, he will stay here.

16 - Geoffrey Rush

Best known to many as one of the main antagonists turned protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean films as well as his many contributions to the film industry which gave him a number of great awards, Geoffrey Rush knows how to act well and has fun while doing it (even putting a bit of comedy into his roles). He's done a bit of Shakespeare (even appearing as a character in the writers biography film Shakespeare in Love) and is known all over for his roles in dramas and fantasy films. He's done pretty darn well for himself and we'll be seeing him again in the upcoming 5th film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series (and other roles too).

15 - Kevin Spacey

He's been one of a few actors to have played Lex Luthor and more recently has made an appearance in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (which apparently if it wasn't for him, it would've otherwise been another terrible entry in the long running and past its prime, series), Kevin Spacey is one of the many American actors out there who enjoys his work and does a great deal of it. Not only has he been an actor, but he also has been a film director, writer, producer and even a comedian. He is known for his roles as villains as well as some supporting roles in gangster and noir films and he does a great job of it. Nothing else to say here.

14 - Tommy Lee Jones

Being a gangster is one thing, but when you come across Tommy here, he has basically been in a number of different roles that you could say that he has played as characters with a whole variety of different characteristics to choose from. He was the infamous Agent K in the Men in Black series, the first actor to do a live action but also quite goofy portrayal of Two-Face in the good but not great Batman Forever, a colonel in the first MCU Captain America film and general security roles in other films. He does a great job at what he does and he will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come.

13 - Philip Seymour Hoffman

Now we come to the second actor on this list who is no longer with us. Hoffman here has been in quite a few films, most often being a supporting character who can be best described as being either a misfit, a lowlife or just a plain bully among many other types. He has been in the industry for 22 years and has been in over 50 films and one miniseries and has received many awards and nominations in many of these things. He was a great actor for the time that he was with us and with only one film left with him in it for us to see which comes in the form of the final Hunger Games film, I hope he gets the proper dedication that he deserves in a similar way to how the last film handled it. You are a great person Philip and rest in peace.

12 - Ben Kingsley

Known for his villain and comedy roles, Ben Kingsley can be seen as both a great actor and a great guy just by his personality. He like with others on this list, has been in films that spans over 40 years among of which, have been film adaptations of video games and comic book characters as well as a few fantasy films, dramas and if I'm correct, a few Shakespeare plays too. Interestingly enough, he was going to be a popstar for a time, but turned it down for a career in acting which based on what I've seen, was in my eyes, the right way to go and he does a great job of it.

11 - Jeff Bridges

A man of many roles, most notably as Kevin Flynn in the Tron films and The Dude in The Big Lebowski, Jeff Bridges has pretty much done it all. He made a computer system, went bowling, became some what of an outlaw, became the voice of a surfing penguin and was for a time Tony Stark's business partner (in some form). Yep, he's done a fair bit of roles and I see him not only as a great actor, but as a guy who knows about authority which is a life skill that we all need at some point in our lives.

10 - Sigourney Weaver

So yeah there are many action stars out there, but if you had to choose who to lead the female equivalent of the Expendables, I would have to agree with ERod aka The Blockbuster Buster of Channel Awesome that it should be Sigourney Weaver. I mean she is a strong independent woman who has shown how tough she is multiple times in films like the Alien films, Avatar and countless others while also taking on a wide range of other roles, some of which have her play less of a tough girl and more of a vulnerable person. She is great at what she does, always takes things to a whole new level and I like her "cut the bulls**t" attitude to life because let's face it, we have come across a lot of that in our lives, but she handles it like no tomorrow which is great.

9 - Morgan Freeman

Often used to explain things which in turn made the "Morgan Freeman explains things" cliche, Freeman is another one on the list who is great at what he does. I like him because of his way of explaining things as well as his choice of roles which for the most part are supporting roles like being a wise man, a guide to another person and just a guy who can give us a monologue and some exposition. He is a great man and it would be great to meet him because I do find him to be great at what he does and if I ever did meet him, it would only be to hear him say something with that iconic voice of his because he's great.

8 - Michael Caine

One of the UK's more recognisable stars and known for being the master at doing a cockney accent, Michael Caine has been in over 100 films in a variety of roles and honestly, I just put him on this list just by how distinctive his accent is. I mean there is no other person I know that does an accent quite like him. But of course, he has done a fair bit of work in the film industry and among his roles, the notable ones that I will bring up are Alfred Pennyworth in the Dark Knight trilogy and Scrooge in A Muppet Christmas Carol, but I think his biggest role was in the original Italian Job where he said the words "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off" which went on to become a popular line in British films in general. But yeah, there are many other great roles that he has done, but those ones are the ones that I felt deserved the most recognition. A great actor overall in my eyes.

7 - Anthony Hopkins

Known for his portrayals of the serial killer Hannibal Lecter, Thor's dad Odin and the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock among many others, Hopkins is great at what he does. He's a great actor who can act in a variety of roles, but I will say that for a while, I did have my doubts of him, but over time, I've grown to like him, especially as Lecter which in my eyes was his breakthrough role and if anybody were to play a villain quite like Lecter, I'm glad it was Hopkins.

6 - Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is one of those actors who has done everything. He was a man who was stranded on a island in Cast Away, he bonded with a dog in Turner & Hooch, he was a guy who saw the world in some kind of perspective in Forrest Gump, he was Simpsionized in The Simpsons Movie, gave life to a cowboy doll in the Toy Story films, he served in the army in Saving Private Ryan, he was taken hostage on sea in Captain Philips and he even portrayed a master of animation in Saving Mr. Banks. And that is just the tip of the iceberg of the many films that he has done and received critical acclaim for. He is a great actor who is another one that I would like to meet one day and I just think that there is absolutely nothing that he cannot do.

5 - Robert De Niro

I'll be honest. I was introduced to De Niro in the worst possible way, in Meet the Fockers. I mean, that alone put me off him for a very long time. That is until Stardust came along and I then started to like him and then I watched Casino and I liked him even more. In my eyes, De Niro is better as a gangster or leader of some form of team of crooks as opposed to just a family man because that's where his acting talent lies. Aside from that, I will say that he is a great actor, but performs well in the thing that he acts well as.

4 - Dustin Hoffman

Now I've still yet to see his breakout film The Graduate which I first heard about when watching an editorial of it that the Nostalgia Critic of Channel Awesome did a while back, though I have been aware of it since watching that one Simpsons episode that borrows elements of the film. Anyway, so Dustin Hoffman is known mostly for his roles of being an antihero and vulnerable characters which he does a versatile take of, but much like with De Niro, I was introduced to him also in Meet the Fockers which wasn't the best way to be introduced to him, but hey what can you do. But since finding out about the Graduate and then watching some more of his films, I then started to like him and I think he does well with his roles. Some roles not so much, but in general, he does well and we all love him for it.

3 - Al Pacino

What a cool name for an actor. I mean for a name like that, you'd expect him to be part of the mafia or just as an average gangster. But no, he is an actor instead. Anyhow, so despite not being a gangster himself, Al Pacino shows all signs of being as such and has even taken on those kinds of roles in many of his films. The most notable of which include The Godfather and its sequels and Scarface. As well as those, he has also had the pleasure of being the complete opposite as he has also been somewhat of a cop or police officer if you will. Anyway, so if there is an actor who can be a gangster just like De Niro but is ever so slightly better than him, Al Pacino fits the bill perfectly.

2 - Jack Nicholson

For many years now, I've been saying that Jack here is a man who from the get go, was born to scare which is exactly what he did when he was in Stanley Kubrick's take on The Shining and when he was the Joker in the first of the Tim Burton Batman films. In addition to this, he has also taken on a wide range of unique and challenging roles which for the most part, have had him do dark portrayals of excitable, neurotic and psychopathic characters. And believe it or not, he is the most nominated actor in the history of the Oscar awards having received 12 nominations in total so far. That is amazing. He is a man who was born to scare and can be great at other roles too, in my eyes.

So as always, here are a few honourable mentions before number 1:

Chirs Pratt - He is quickly becoming a big actor in the world and I like him for his comedy and how he handles various roles.

Chris Hemsworth - Thor in other words and even though some of his roles are questionable, he is good at what he does.

Chris Evans - Being the only man so far to have played 2 Marvel characters. Now that is impressive. But he is also a great actor too and like with the previously mentioned 2, he does get quite the female attention.

Ben Stiller - Possibly the better person for being a family man and he also reminds me of one of my relatives as well.

Will Ferrel - I have said in the past that I have respect for him and I still do to this day, even if he has a funny way of showing it.

Martin Freeman - The average British person is what I call him, though I will say that he does in most of his roles, act like he doesn't know what's going on which is the funny thing about him in my eyes.

Bennedict Cumberpatch - An actor who in the past few years has quickly gone from being a crime fighter to a darn dragon. In other words, he is quickly rising up to be a UK national treasure.

Sean Connery - The first man to play James Bond and also a Scottish actor. What's more to like?

Daniel Craig - The current actor to play James Bond while also playing other great roles too. Just a shame that some of them weren't as well received as Bond.

James Earl Jones - The voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa. Also a person who I would love to meet one day.

Dan Aykroyd - One of the Ghostbusters who I often see as the typical New York citizen just by his accent.

Daniel Radcliffe - While not the best on this list, I have spend over 10 years watching him grow and he has done well for himself post-Harry Potter.

Vin Diesel - A man who is a master behind the wheel and is a great voice actor too. And also quite the role model too.

Of course, I could list every one of my all time favourite actors, but we would then have more of a top 100 list more than a top 50 list. There are a handful that I hate but there are so many that I love too. Now its time for my number 1 pick:

1 - Robin Williams

Now the reason why Robin is at the top of my list has nothing to do with his death last year. In many ways, I feel kind of sad that he is no longer with us because for a very long time, he had touched all our hearts in so many ways. He is by far, a great actor who can act well in comedy films, but also having a bit of some serious time as well which for the most part, works. There are some of his films that aren't good, but in turn, there are many of his films that are great. Most notably of which for me, include Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Happy Feet, Jumanji, Night At the Museum and Hook. He was great at what he did and yes he has had some controversy over the years, but to me, he will always be my all time favourite actor, even if he is long gone.