27 Most Famous Actors of All Time

Find out more about the most famous and handsome actors, ranging from Robert Downey Jr. to Robert Pattinson

By Disheeta Maheshwari & Khushi Srivastava

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 | 01:13 PM IST | 9.4M

Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Pattinson

The actors and actresses' popularity and ratings keep changing over the seasons. Rankings are never fixed from Robert Downey Jr. to Tom Hanks, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. The popularity of actors depends not only on the movies they star in but also on factors like personality, humbleness, red carpet appearances, fans interactions, and more. For instance, even after Robert Downey Jr. was surrounded with so many controversies, he is still one of Hollywood's most popular and respected actors.

Here is the list of most famous and handsome actors of Hollywood.

1. Robert Downey Jr.

Birthdate: April 4, 1965
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: 2
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 2
Golden Globes: 3
Golden Globe Nominations: 5

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the highly respected Hollywood actors who have worked in blockbuster movies like Iron Man, Avengers, Sherlock Holmes, and more. Robert’s career received a setback in mid 1990s due to his cocaine addiction and legal troubles. The actor slowly worked towards full recovery with his first big screen comeback being The Singing Detective. Since then, Robert Downey Jr. has won hearts of people and remains one of the most popular actors of all time.

Top 5 Robert Downey Jr.’s movies

Iron Man
Avengers: Endgame
Sherlock Holmes
Tropic Thunder
Dolittle

2. Al Pacino

Al Pacino

Birthdate: April 25, 1940
Birthplace: New York City
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 5
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 5
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 18

Al Pacino is one of the few Hollywood actors who have achieved Triple Crown of Acting that includes Tony Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Academy Award. Al Pacino quickly rose to fame with his role in The Godfather and even struggled with drug use because of same. Pacino has three children though he has never been married.

Top 5 Al Pacino’s movies

The Godfather
The Irishman
Scarface
Heat
Scent of a Woman

3. Hugh Jackman

Birthdate: 12 October 1968
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: 1
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: 1
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 4

Hugh Jackman got his breakthrough by playing the role of Wolverine in X-Men. He also started a production company named Seed Productions with John Palermo and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness. After miscarriages, Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness adopted two kids.

Top 5 Hugh Jackman’s movies

The Wolverine
X-Men
The Greatest Showman
Logan
Deadpool 3

4. Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves

Birthdate: September 2, 1964
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: None
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Keanu Reeves decided to become actor at the age of 15. After starring in several television shows, Reeves got his breakthrough by starring in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. He also formed an alternative rock band named Dogstar in 1991 due to newfound interest in music.

Top 5 Keanu Reeves’ movies

John Wick
The Matrix
Constantine
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
Parenthood

5. Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson

Birthdate: May 13, 1986
Birthplace: London, England
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: None
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Robert Pattinson had won hearts of people with his role as Edward Cullen in Twillight saga. Besides acting, he has also dabbled in music industry and has soundtracks for movie. The Twillight star is also known for his charity work and has been ambassador of Dior Homme fragrance since almost a decade.

Top 5 Robert Pattinson’s movies

Twilight
The Batman
Remember Me
The Lighthouse
Tenet

Read: 20 Famous Gay Actors in Hollywood of All Time

6. Chris Evans

Birthdate: 13 June 1981
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: None
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Chris Evan's is a renowned Hollywood actor who began his career with diverse roles in television series, like Opposite Sex, in the year 2000. He is most popular for his role as Captain America in the Marvel movie series. He is currently in the limelight for his role in The Gray Man, voicing a character in Lightyear, and an upcoming movie, Ghosted.

Top 5 Chris Evans movies

Not Another Teen Movie
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Knives Out
Avengers: Endgame

7. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

Birthdate: May 2, 1972
Birthplace: Hayward, California, U.S.A.
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: None
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Dwayne Johnson or The Rock is also amongst the greatest professional wrestler of all time besides being a versatile actor. Johnson is one of the highest paid actors of Hollywood and has even produced autobiographical sitcom Young Rock in 2021. He owns Production Company named Seven Bucks Productions along with being co-owner of XFL.

Top 5 Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson movies

Fast & Furious
Black Adam
Jumanji
Baywatch
Red Notice

Read: Top 21 Tallest Actors In Hollywood

8. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks

Birthdate: July 9, 1956
Birthplace: Concord, California, U.S.A.
Oscars: 2
Oscar Nominations: 5
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: 5
Golden Globes: 5
Golden Globe Nominations: 11

Tom Hanks is one of the most famous actors across the world and is known for both dramatic and comedic roles. Hanks have well rounded interests ranging from politics to space programs. The actor has even donated his blood for virus research after contracting Covid. Tom Hanks has received several nominations for his work as producer.

Top 5 Tom Hanks’ movies

Forrest Grump
A Man Called Otto
The Terminal
Saving Private Ryan
The Da Vinci Code

Also Read: Top 21 Tallest Actors In Hollywood

9. Johnny Depp

Birthdate: 9 June 1963
Birthplace: Owensboro, Kentucky, United States
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: 3
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: 3
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 9

John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, musician, and producer. Although Deep has struggled with cocaine addiction and was in legal troubles, he is undeniable one of the greastest actor of this generation. With performances such as Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka, Edward Scissorhands, and Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts, he has famously played weird, unique, and wacky roles and has been totally adored audience.

Top 5 Johnny Depp movies

Finding Neverland
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Sweeney Todd: The Demond Barber Of Fleet Street
Public Enemies
Edward Scissorhands

10. Morgan Freeman

Birthdate: 1 June 1937
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Oscars: Oscar for Million Dollar Baby
Oscar Nominations: 5
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: 2
Golden Globe Nominations: 6

Morgan Freeman is an American actor, narrator, and director who is known for his distinctively deep voice and for playing various iconic roles. His subtle humor, emotional depth, dialogue delivery, and versatility made him one of the most popular celebrities and respected personalities in modern US cinema. His role in Shawshan Redemption remains fan favorite to this day.

Top 5 Morgan Freeman movies

Million Dollar Baby
Driving Miss Daisy
Se7en
The Shawshank Redemption
Lean On Me

11. Zac Efron

Birthdate: October 18, 1987
Birthplace: California, U.S.A
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: None
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Zac Efron gained recognition with his role in Disney series High School Musical and since then he have starred in several mainstream movies. He also started Production Company under Warner Bros. and his own YouTube channel. Recently, the actor opened up about his struggles with mental health illnesses including depression and agoraphobia.

Top 5 Zac Efron movies

Baywatch
17 Again
Neighbors
The Greatest Showman
High School Musical

12. Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Birthdate: January 5, 1975
Birthplace: Pennsylvania, U.S.A
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: 9
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 8
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: 4

Bradley Cooper got his breakthrough with The Hangover, released in 2009 which was both commercial and critical success. Since then, Cooper’s career has progressed with the movies like Limitless and American Hustle. He shares one child with ex spouse Irina Shayk.

Top 5 Bradley Cooper movies

The Hangover
A Star is Born
Burnt
American Sniper
Limitless

Also Read: 20 Famous Gay Actors in Hollywood of All Time

13. Jackie Chan

Birthdate: 7 April 1954
Birthplace: Hong Kong
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 1
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: None
Golden Globe Nominations: None

Jackie Chan is international success and one of the most famous actors of all time after many years of dedication and hard work. He is best known for his role in action movies and has even suffered multiple injuries because of them. Chan is also a UNICEF Good Will Ambassador along with many philanthropic interests.

Top 5 Jackie Chan movies

Rush Hour
Police Story
The Karate Kid
Drunken Master
Vanguard

14. Will Smith

Birthdate: September 25, 1968
Birthplace: Philadelphia, U.S.A
Oscars:
Oscar Nominations:
BAFTA Awards:
BAFTA Nominations:
Golden Globes:
Golden Globe Nominations:

Will Smith has been called ‘most powerful actor in Hollywood’. Besides acting, he also received modest fame for his rapping under name The Fresh Prince. He recently became target of the social media hate because he slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscar ceremony.

Top 5 Will Smith movies

I Am Legend
The Pursuit of Happyness
King Richard
Aladdin
Emancipation

15. Tom Cruise

Birthdate: 3 July 1962
Birthplace: Syracuse, New York, U.S.A
Oscars: None
Oscar Nominations: 4
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: 3
Golden Globe Nominations: 7

Tom Cruise is one of the most versatile Hollywood actors and is usually seen in action and science fiction movies. His charms and good looks in movies like Knight and Day, Collateral, and Oblivion quickly made him fan favorite. However, Cruise has sparked controversy due to advocacy of Church of Scientology and close friendship with leader David Miscavige.

Top 5 Tom Cruise movies

Top Gun: Maverick
Jack Reacher
Edge of Tomorrow
Jerry Maguire
The Mummy

16. Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington: imdb

Birthdate: December 28, 1954
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, United States
Oscars: 2 (Glory, Training Day)
Oscar Nominations: 10
BAFTA Awards: None
BAFTA Nominations: None
Golden Globes: 3
Golden Globe Nominations: 11

Denzel Washington is a famous American actor known for his incredible talent on the big screen. He's been in a bunch of awesome movies like "Training Day," where he played a tough cop, and "Remember the Titans," where he was a football coach. Denzel has won tons of awards, including Oscars, for his outstanding acting skills.

In his personal life, he's a private guy, but we do know he's been married for a long time and has four kids. He's also known for his charity work and giving back to the community. Basically, Denzel is a top-notch actor and a good-hearted person, making him a true Hollywood legend.

Top 5 Denzel Washington movies

Training Day
Fences
Glory
Remember the Titans
The Equalizer

17. Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro: imdb

Birthdate: 17 August 1943
Birthplace: Greenwich Village, New York, United States
Oscars: 2 (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull)
Oscar Nominations: 8
BAFTA Awards: 0
BAFTA Nominations: 7
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 11

Robert De Niro is a famous American actor known for his roles in many movies. He's been in the acting business for a long time and is considered one of the best actors in the world. You might have seen him in films like "Taxi Driver," "Goodfellas," and "The Godfather Part II." He's won two Oscars for his outstanding performances.

Outside of acting, De Niro is a private person. He was born in New York City and has a family with several children. He's also been involved in various philanthropic efforts and is known for his strong political opinions.

Top 5 Robert De Niro movies

Jackie Brown
Heat
The Irishman
Raging Bull
The Godfather: Part II

18. Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman: imdb

Birthdate: 30 January 1930
Birthplace: San Bernardino, California, United States
Oscars: 2 (The French Connection, Unforgiven)
Oscar Nominations: 5
BAFTA Awards: 2
BAFTA Nominations: 5
Golden Globes: 4
Golden Globe Nominations: 9

Gene Hackman, a legendary actor, made a mark in the film industry with his versatile talent. Born in 1930, this American star boasts a career spanning five decades. He's known for his exceptional roles in classics like "The French Connection" (1971), where he won an Academy Award, and "The Conversation" (1974). His portrayal of Lex Luthor in the Superman series also gained him fame. Beyond his on-screen success, Hackman is a private individual, rarely delving into the glitzy world of celebrity. After retiring from acting in 2004, he turned to writing.

Top 5 Gene Hackman movies

Mississippi Burning
Bonnie and Clyde
The Conversation
Unforgiven
The French Connection

19. Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger: imdb

Birthdate: 4 April 1979
Birthplace: Perth, Australia
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 2
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 2
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 2

Heath Ledger was an Australian actor who gained fame for his incredible talent. He starred in numerous movies, with his most iconic role being the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Ledger's career skyrocketed thanks to this portrayal, earning him a posthumous Academy Award. He also shined in "Brokeback Mountain" and "A Knight's Tale." Despite his professional success, his personal life had challenges. He tragically passed away in 2008 due to an accidental drug overdose. His brief but remarkable career left a lasting impact on the film industry, and he is remembered as one of the most talented actors of his generation.

Top 5 Heath Ledger movies

Brokeback Mountain
The Dark Knight
A Knight's Tale
Candy
The Patriot

20. Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio: imdb

Birthdate: 11 November 1974
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 6
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 6
Golden Globes: 3
Golden Globe Nominations: 12

Leonardo DiCaprio started as a child actor and gained widespread recognition in the 1990s. His career has been marked by incredible performances in films like "Titanic," "Inception," and "The Revenant," which earned him an Academy Award.

Outside of acting, DiCaprio is an environmental activist, advocating for climate change awareness. He's renowned for his dedication to both his craft and environmental causes. In his personal life, he keeps a relatively low profile, but his philanthropic work often makes headlines.

Top 5 Leonardo DiCaprio movies

The Revenant
Shutter Island
The Aviator
Titanic
The Departed

21. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson: imdb

Birthdate: 21 December 1948
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Oscars: 0
Oscar Nominations: 2
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 1
Golden Globes: 0
Golden Globe Nominations: 4

Samuel L. Jackson is a legendary American actor known for his iconic roles in movies. His career spans decades, and he's famous for his distinctive voice and commanding presence on screen. You've probably seen him in films like "Pulp Fiction," "The Avengers," and "Jurassic Park."

Samuel keeps a relatively private personal life. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1948. He's been married to LaTanya Richardson since 1980, and they have a daughter named Zoe.

Top 5 Samuel L. Jackson movies

Pulp Fiction
The Hateful Eight
Unbreakable
Django Unchained
Die Hard with a Vengeance

22. Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage: imdb

Birthdate: 7 January 1964
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 2
BAFTA Awards: 0
BAFTA Nominations: 2
Golden Globes: 1
Golden Globe Nominations: 4

Nicolas Cage, a versatile Hollywood actor, has had a roller-coaster career. Born in 1964, he's known for his eclectic roles, from action-packed blockbusters like "Con Air" to critically acclaimed performances in "Leaving Las Vegas," which won him an Oscar.

Cage's personal life has been equally dramatic. He's been married several times, including a short-lived marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. He's also known for his extravagant spending habits and financial troubles, even owning a dinosaur skull and rare comic books. Despite controversies, Cage remains a beloved figure in the film industry, known for his unique style and ability to tackle diverse roles.

Top 5 Nicolas Cage movies

Face/Off
Mandy
National Treasure
The Rock
Adaptation

23. Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando: imdb

Birthdate: 3 April 1924
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Oscars: 2
Oscar Nominations: 8
BAFTA Awards: 3
BAFTA Nominations: 8
Golden Globes: 4
Golden Globe Nominations: 9

Marlon Brando, a legendary actor, revolutionized Hollywood in the mid-20th century. Known for his raw, authentic performances, he brought a new level of realism to movies. His iconic roles in "The Godfather" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" made him a household name. Brando's acting style, marked by emotional depth and method acting, set the standard for generations of actors to come. Despite his fame, he remained a complex and enigmatic figure, often challenging the norms of his time. Marlon Brando's impact on cinema endures, making him an enduring symbol of innovation and talent in the film industry.

Top 5 Marlon Brando movies

On the Waterfront
The Godfather
A Streetcar Named Desire
Apocalypse Now
Last Tango in Paris

24. Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness: imdb

Birthdate: 2 April 1914
Birthplace: Maida Vale, London, United Kingdom
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 4
BAFTA Awards: 1
BAFTA Nominations: 1
Golden Globes: 0
Golden Globe Nominations: 0

Alec Guinness, a famous actor, was known for his versatile roles. He lived from 1914 to 2000. You might remember him as Obi-Wan Kenobi from the original "Star Wars" trilogy. He was British and had a knack for disappearing into characters. In simpler terms, he could become someone else on the screen. His acting was so good that you often forgot it was him. Apart from "Star Wars," he starred in many classic films, making him a legend in the world of acting. Think of him like a chameleon of the movie world, able to transform into any character convincingly.

Top 5 Alec Guinness movies

Lawrence of Arabia
The Lavender Hill Mob
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Oliver Twist
Doctor Zhivago

25. Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson: imdb

Birthdate: 22 April 1937
Birthplace: Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
Oscars: 3
Oscar Nominations: 12
BAFTA Awards: 3
BAFTA Nominations: 7
Golden Globes: 6
Golden Globe Nominations: 17

Jack Nicholson, the actor, is a big deal in Hollywood. He's been in loads of movies and has won three Oscars, which is like the Super Bowl of acting. You've probably seen him in classics like "The Shining" where he goes all crazy, or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" where he's in a mental hospital. He's known for that devilish grin and those cool sunglasses. Jack's been doing this acting thing for a long time, and he's got a reputation for being a bit of a wild card in real life too. But one thing's for sure, he's a legend in the movie world.

Top 5 Jack Nicholson movies

The Shining
Chinatown
Five Easy Pieces
A Few Good Men
The Departed

26. Christian Bale

Christian Bale: imdb

Birthdate: 30 January 1974
Birthplace: Haverfordwest, United Kingdom
Oscars: 1
Oscar Nominations: 4
BAFTA Awards: 0
BAFTA Nominations: 4
Golden Globes: 2
Golden Globe Nominations: 5

Christian Bale is a famous actor known for transforming himself physically for his roles. He's the guy who played Batman in "The Dark Knight" trilogy. You might remember him as the really buff Batman. But he's done more than that. He lost a ton of weight to play a super-skinny guy in "The Machinist" and then bulked up like crazy to be Batman. Bale's like a chameleon in movies. He's won awards for his acting, and people like watching him on screen because he's so good at becoming different characters. So, if you see Christian Bale in a movie, expect some serious acting skills.

Top 5 Christian Bale movies

American Psycho
The Fighter
The Prestige
Batman Begins
The Machinist

27. Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins: imdb

Birthdate: 31 December 1937
Birthplace: Margam, United Kingdom
Oscars: 2
Oscar Nominations: 6
BAFTA Awards: 4
BAFTA Nominations: 9
Golden Globes: 2
Golden Globe Nominations: 6

Anthony Hopkins, a famous actor, was born in Wales. He's best known for playing Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," a really creepy but brilliant character. He's been in a bunch of movies and even won an Oscar for his acting skills. Outside of acting, he's a talented painter and composer. Despite all his success, he seems like a down-to-earth guy. He's been in the movie business for a long time, and people really admire his work.

Top 5 Anthony Hopkins movies