The entertainment industry is brimming with talent, and American cinema has been blessed with some of the most exceptional performers. These individuals have brought to life unforgettable characters on screen, leaving an indelible mark on audiences around the world. The best American actors working today continue to dazzle moviegoers as they breathe life into captivating stories.Â
The undeniable prowess of these popular actors transcends genres and styles, highlighting their ability to adapt and excel in any role they undertake. These American actors possess a remarkable blend of charisma and craftsmanship that sets them apart from their contemporaries. Their dedication to the craft has not only won them critical acclaim but also made them household names globally.Â
Among the cream of the crop are powerhouses like Denzel Washington, whose magnetic presence on screen has garnered several awards for his riveting performances. Christian Bale has the ability to embody diverse characters, demonstrating an uncanny knack for physical transformations that few can match. Leonardo DiCaprio has consistently proven his incredible acting range by embracing challenging roles throughout his career - from heartthrob hero to sinister villain - earning him widespread admiration as one of the best American actors working today.Â
In celebrating the extraordinary contributions made by these luminaries within the film industry, it becomes evident that their passion for acting knows no bounds. Delivering compelling performances, these gifted individuals are representatives of cinematic brilliance at its finest.Â
Most divisive: Sean Penn
Over 11.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Working American Actors
- 1The Circle (2017), Sully (2016), Bridge of Spies (2015)
- 2The Judge (2014), Sherlock Holmes (2009), Iron Man (2008)
- 3Reasonable Doubt (2014), Marvel's The Avengers (2012), Django Unchained (2012)
- 4Interstellar (2014), Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Mud (2013)
- 5Lucy (2014), Now You See Me (2013), Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
- 6Boardwalk Empire, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013), Rampart (2012)
- 7Trouble with the Curve (2012), Gran Torino (2009), Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- 842 (2013), Ender's Game (2013), Morning Glory (2010)
- 9World War Z (2013), Killing Them Softly (2012), Moneyball (2011)
- 10The Homesman (2014), Lincoln (2012), Hope Springs (2012)
- 11Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hangover, Wedding Crashers
- 12Mortdecai (2015), Into the Woods (2014), The Lone Ranger (2013)
- 13The Monuments Men (2014), Behind the Candelabra (2013), Elysium (2013)
- 14True Grit (2010), Crazy Heart (2009), Iron Man (2008)
- 15The Matrix, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
- 16Jack Reacher (2012), Belizaire the Cajun (2011), Get Low (2010)
- 17The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), The Great Gatsby (2013), Django Unchained (2012)
- 18Jersey Boys (2014), Seven Psychopaths (2012), A Late Quartet (2012)
- 19Birdman (2014), The Other Guys (2010), The Merry Gentleman (2009)
- 20Nightcrawler (2014), Enemy (2014), Prisoners (2013)
- 21Birdman (2014), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- 22The Equalizer (2014), Flight (2012), Unstoppable (2010)
- 23Danny Collins (2015), Happy Valley (2014), Wilde Salomé (2013)
- 24The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, No Country for Old Men
- 25Cymbeline (2015), Snowpiercer (2014), Game Change (2012)
- 26The Comedian (2017), Joy (2016), The Intern (2015)
- 27How Do You Know (2010), The Bucket List (2007), The Departed (2006)
- 28Get the Gringo (2012), The Beaver (2011), Edge of Darkness (2010)
- 29Finding Nemo, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2
- 30The Immigrant (2014), Her (2013), The Master (2012)
- 31Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Hyde Park on Hudson (2012), Zombieland (2009)
- 32Pulp Fiction, Die Hard, The Sixth Sense
- 33Saving Private Ryan, Little Miss Sunshine, Argo
- 34Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3
- 35Forrest Gump, The Thing, The Fox and the Hound
- 36The Departed, Boogie Nights, Planet of the Apes
- 37X-Men: Days of Future Past, Elf, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
- 38Baby Driver (2017), Elvis & Nixon (2016), House of Cards
- 39Juno, Being John Malkovich, Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- 40The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1, Captain America: The First Avenger
- 41The Monuments Men (2014), Gravity (2013), The Descendants (2011)
- 42Platoon, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Good Morning
- 43Focus (2015), After Earth (2013), Hancock (2008)
- 44The Avengers, Thor, The Hurt Locker
- 45Gimme Shelter (2014), Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
- 46The Avengers, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Shutter Island
- 47Iron Man 3, Iron Man 2, Boogie Nights
- 48Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- 49Little Miss Sunshine, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin
- 50Barney's Version (2011), Last Chance Harvey (2009), Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
- 51Guardians of the Galaxy, Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty
- 52Fargo, Boogie Nights, Magnolia
- 53Dances with Wolves, Man of Steel, Field of Dreams
- 54The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, 10 Things I Hate About You
- 55Fast & Furious 6, Fast Five, The Other Guys
- 56Saving Private Ryan, Planet of the Apes, The Truman Show
- 57One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct
- 58The Matrix, Apocalypse Now, Man of Steel
- 59National Lampoon's Animal House, X-Men: First Class, Friday the 13th
- 60Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
- 61Men in Black, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Batman Returns
- 62The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- 63All Is Lost (2013), The Company You Keep (2013), Buck (2011)
- 64Pretty in Pink, Lincoln, Stargate
- 65The Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- 66Little Shop of Horrors, Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- 67Cut Bank (2015). The Judge (2014), Parkland (2013)
- 68Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Annie Hall
- 69Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II, Mars Attacks!
- 70Shrek, Footloose, Interstellar
- 71Guardians of the Galaxy, Gangs of New York, Boogie Nights
- 72Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Raising Arizona, Kick-Ass
- 73Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Ray
- 74Juno, Tropic Thunder, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- 75The Big Lebowski, Do the Right Thing, Transformers
- 76Back to the Future, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- 77Moon, The Green Mile, Galaxy Quest
- 78Hercules, Casino, Once Upon a Time in America
- 79Dumb and Dumber, Speed, Looper
- 80Dead Poets Society, Training Day, Gattaca
- 81Monsters vs. Aliens, The Muppets, Shrek the Third
- 82Pretty Woman, Chicago, Primal Fear
- 83Good Will Hunting, Dazed and Confused, Field of Dreams
- 84Stand by Me, Sixteen Candles, Being John Malkovich
- 85Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3
- 86Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men, As Good as It Gets
- 87Detachment (2012), For the Love of Money (2012), Henry's Crime (2011)
- 88Jaws, Stand by Me, The Graduate
- 89Shrek, Mulan, Beverly Hills Cop
- 90Saw, Lethal Weapon, The Color Purple
- 91Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, Rain Man
- 92The Untouchables, Ocean's Eleven, The Godfather Part III
- 93God Girl (2014), How I Met Your Mother, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
- 94Men in Black, Full Metal Jacket, JFK
- 95Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Happy Gilmore, There's Something About Mary
- 96The Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
- 97Scream, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Scream 2
- 98The Aviator, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Everyone Says I Love You
- 99Gangster Squad (2013), This Must Be the Place (2012), The Tree of Life (2011)
- 100The Incredible Hulk, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Dark City
- 101Fight Club, American Psycho, Requiem for a Dream
- 102Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Elf, Wedding Crashers
- 103The Congress (2014), A Farewell to Fools (2014), A Beginner's Guide to Endings (2010)
- 104Blade II, American Gangster, The Boondock Saints
- 105Mary Poppins, Night at the Museum, Dick Tracy
- 106The Passion of the Christ, The Rock, The Thin Red Line
- 107Transformers, Heat, Pearl Harbor
- 108Rocky, Men in Black, First Blood
- 109A Fish Called Wanda, Sophie's Choice, Wild Wild West
- 110The Simpsons Movie, Cars 2, The Godfather Part III
- 111King Kong, Natural Born Killers, The Pianist
- 112Crash, The Mummy, George of the Jungle
- 113The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- 114Cape Fear, Tropic Thunder, The Thin Red Line
- 115Apocalypse Now, Hoosiers, Blue Velvet
- 116Sin City, 21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie
- 117The Lion King, Austin Powers: Goldmember, The Birdcage
- 118A League of Their Own, L.A. Confidential, The Bourne Ultimatum
- 119Saving Private Ryan, Avatar, Lost in Translation
- 120Lincoln, Frances Ha, Gayby
