What Actor owned this decade?

[Nivek]

Christian Bale
Jason Statham
Heath Ledger

 

[Matt]

Bale!

That's at best wishful thinking. Bale's decade outside of his work with Nolan has either been art house movies that most have not seen or bombs.

Yeah Heath Ledger is a big mention to.

Oh come on, had Ledger not died his performance as the Joker would've been seen as one of two or three great roles of the decade. That's it.

When it comes down to it, its either DiCaprio who has made this decade the one where he established himself as a real actor or Depp who really just owned it.

I'd say outside of those two, the one actor who can even be held up with those two in terms of success in this decade is Denzel Washington.

Now, if you're going from a comedic stand point its obviously Will Ferrel. And if you want to go from a strictly critically successful standpoint, I'd say Philip Seymour Hoffman.

 

[Captain America]

That's at best wishful thinking. Bale's decade outside of his work with Nolan has either been art house movies that most have not seen or bombs.



Oh come on, had Ledger not died his performance as the Joker would've been seen as one of two or three great roles of the decade. That's it.

When it comes down to it, its either DiCaprio who has made this decade the one where he established himself as a real actor or Depp who really just owned it.

I'd say outside of those two, the one actor who can even be held up with those two in terms of success in this decade is Denzel Washington.

Now, if you're going from a comedic stand point its obviously Will Ferrel. And if you want to go from a strictly critically successful standpoint, I'd say Philip Seymour Hoffman.

I'd have to agree with you on that, though from as you said "a critically successful standpoint" I'd say Depp has to be on the list somewhere

 

[Matt]

In my opinion, Depp and DiCaprio are the full package in my opinion. They were the actors who ruled this decade from both a financial and critical stand point. Hoffman hasn't really enjoyed mainstream success like the other two but he's been a critic's wet dream so he deserves some mention, I feel.

Also, one man everyone seems to have left out but has truly ruled the decade, perhaps more so than Depp and DiCaprio. George Clooney. He enjoyed some success in the late 90s with The Perfect Storm and Oh Brother Where Art Thou, but his real success began in 2001 with Ocean's 11. Since then, the man has become a critical and financial super star both behind and infront of the camera and has earned become an icon. I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Clooney.

Then there are actors who have enjoyed continual success, Tom Hanks has starred in many of the biggest movies of the decade. Same with Brad Pitt and Ian McKellan.

Also I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Daniel Radcliffe. He may not be much of an actor or have much of a career post-Potter, but one cannot change the fact that this decade he has headlined the most successful movie franchise of all time. That alone should at least give him consideration.

I find it odd that so many are eager to claim someone like Bale or Ledger the "actors of the decade," when their commercial and critical success outside of fanboy franchises has been at best limited, meanwhile, only one person mentioned Clooney or Radcliffe and NO ONE mentioned Tom ****in' Hanks? Ledger and Bale in numerous posts but no mention of Tom Hanks? Fanboys are funny.

If I were to rate the top five actors based on combined commercial and critical success it would be in this order:

5) Tom Hanks
4) George Clooney
3) Leo DiCaprio
2) Daniel Radcliffe (a lot will bite my head off for putting him above Leo but lets face it, you can't name one other actor this decade who has headlined a franchise that has pulled in 5 billion dollars and has had six films that made more than 700 million).
In the end, I'd say my top five actors
1) Johnny Depp

Then of course there are subcategories, Comeback actor of the decade would probably Downey, Philip Seymor Hoffman probably enjoyed the most critical success this decade, Will Ferrell the most comedic, etc.

 

[Octoberist]

Daniel Day Lewis
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Phillip Seymore Hoffman
Matt Damon
Leonardo DiCaprio

 

[Laderlappen]

In my opinion, Depp and DiCaprio are the full package in my opinion. They were the actors who ruled this decade from both a financial and critical stand point. Hoffman hasn't really enjoyed mainstream success like the other two but he's been a critic's wet dream so he deserves some mention, I feel.

Also, one man everyone seems to have left out but has truly ruled the decade, perhaps more so than Depp and DiCaprio. George Clooney. He enjoyed some success in the late 90s with The Perfect Storm and Oh Brother Where Art Thou, but his real success began in 2001 with Ocean's 11. Since then, the man has become a critical and financial super star both behind and infront of the camera and has earned become an icon. I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Clooney.

Then there are actors who have enjoyed continual success, Tom Hanks has starred in many of the biggest movies of the decade. Same with Brad Pitt and Ian McKellan.

Also I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Daniel Radcliffe. He may not be much of an actor or have much of a career post-Potter, but one cannot change the fact that this decade he has headlined the most successful movie franchise of all time. That alone should at least give him consideration.

I find it odd that so many are eager to claim someone like Bale or Ledger the "actors of the decade," when their commercial and critical success outside of fanboy franchises has been at best limited, meanwhile, only one person mentioned Clooney or Radcliffe and NO ONE mentioned Tom ****in' Hanks? Ledger and Bale in numerous posts but no mention of Tom Hanks? Fanboys are funny.

If I were to rate the top five actors based on combined commercial and critical success it would be in this order:

5) Tom Hanks
4) George Clooney
3) Leo DiCaprio
2) Daniel Radcliffe (a lot will bite my head off for putting him above Leo but lets face it, you can't name one other actor this decade who has headlined a franchise that has pulled in 5 billion dollars and has had six films that made more than 700 million).
In the end, I'd say my top five actors
1) Johnny Depp

Then of course there are subcategories, Comeback actor of the decade would probably Downey, Philip Seymor Hoffman probably enjoyed the most critical success this decade, Will Ferrell the most comedic, etc.

Yeah someone like yourself can talk. Have I come in her with that attitude, I would be out of here.
Calling Ledger who did 2 of the greatest performances of the decade a great actor is crazy and makes you a fanboy. However calling Radcliff a great actor does not? Am I the only person on this board that pick actors based on their acting?


But if we have to judge our actors on the box-office then its not Johnny Depp, and not Leo DiCaprio that has ruled the decade. Its Orlando Bloom.

 

[Matt]

Yeah someone like yourself can talk. Have I come in her with that attitude, I would be out of here.
Calling Ledger who did 2 of the greatest performances of the decade a great actor is crazy and makes you a fanboy. However calling Radcliff a great actor does not? Am I the only person on this board that pick actors based on their acting?


But if we have to judge our actors on the box-office then its not Johnny Depp, and not Leo DiCaprio that has ruled the decade. Its Orlando Bloom.

I didn't call Radcliffe a great actor. I called him an impactful actor. Headlining the most succesfull film franchise ever is an impact on the entire industry. Again, I challenge you to name one other actor this decade who has headlined six films that have grossed more than 700 million each.

Ledger gave two of the greatest performances? Brokeback was overrated and frankly he wasn't that good in it and he would've never received the praise he did for the Joker had he not died. It was a good performance. Not great.

 

[Franklin Richards]

Angelina Jolie owned this decade.


As far as getting paid and name recognition.

 

[Evil Twin]

If you're going to throw around names like Jason Statham, then

Meryl Streep

Combined critical success and financial success throughout the decade, along with success in straight drama and more comedic performances, with The Hours, Adaptation, A Prairie Home Companion, The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia!, Doubt, and Julie & Julia. Also toss in one of the standouts in the mini-series adaptation of Angels in America. She doesn't have a big franchise around her, like Depp, Damon, and some others, but she's been a significant part of the whole decade.

 

[Bim]

I'd very much recommend watching Candy if you can though, to see him doing some real good work.

Dan in Candy is the only thing I think he's done which could come close to being competitive with his Joker... and the Joker will always be more memorable...

Agreed, i watched Candy not long ago, and i was positively impressed with his performance.

As far as actors owning this decade, i would have to say Depp or DiCaprio get my vote.

 

[Warhammer]

Come on now. You all forgot one man, Samuel L. Jackson. The man has starred in more films than any other actor/actress this decade. He never turns down a movie role. Matter of fact, he's probably been in every single movie that had a theatrical release. In The Dark Knight, he was "Pedestrian #6." In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, he was "Mordor Orc #4." I could go on.

 

[TNC9852002]

No order:

-Leonardo DiCaprio
-Javier Bardem
-Josh Brolin
-Johnny Depp
-Russell Crowe

There's plenty other memorable mentions...

 

[Laderlappen]

I didn't call Radcliffe a great actor. I called him an impactful actor. Headlining the most succesfull film franchise ever is an impact on the entire industry. Again, I challenge you to name one other actor this decade who has headlined six films that have grossed more than 700 million each.

Ledger gave two of the greatest performances? Brokeback was overrated and frankly he wasn't that good in it and he would've never received the praise he did for the Joker had he not died. It was a good performance. Not great.

The only reason people dont like Ledger is because he died. Had he not died, people wouldnt dislike him so much.

 

[DACrowe]

I assume we're speaking leads and not great character actors who had an amazing decade (Ian McKellan, Casey Affleck, John C. Reilly, etc.).

Okay here are a few in descending order:

1) Daniel Day Lewis
2) Russell Crowe
3) George Clooney
4) Johnny Depp
5) Viggo Mortenson
6) Meryl Streep
7) Angelina Jolie
8) Leonardo DiCaprio
9) Matt Damon
10) Philip Seymour Hoffman
11) Cate Blanchett
12) Kate Winslet
13) Brad Pitt
14) Clive Owen
15) Christian Bale
16) Heath Ledger
17) Robert Downey Jr.
18) Keira Knightley
19) Amy Adams
20) Anne Hathaway
21) Natalie Portman

Some of those are based on an amazing decade of work (Lewis, Crowe and Hoffman) that gained them prestige. Some who combined that with celebrity (Clooney was a huge star who made some profound films as well, this would include Damon and DiCaprio) and some just because their star rose so much (Depp).

The final four women I name show a bias in Hollywood. Women are cast young. Other than Streep, Jolie, Blanchett and Winslet, I was hard pressed to think of a leading lady that did more than romantic comedies or indies and further a leading lady who was still opening films after the age of 35. Those four actresses are all up and coming with strong work in recent memory, but given how Hollywood works, one wonders if they'll be allowed to progress or just be devalued in age, ultimately.

 

[Heretic]

Regarding Clooney:

While he has become a Hollywood icon, he is not a bankable star. His fme is heading in the direction of "famous because he's famous". He'll have a blockbuster film, fllowed by several duds.

Regarding Tom Hanks:

He ended the last decade on a hot streak, and capped it with Cast Away early this decade. From there his box office success and critical acclaim cooled. By decades end, it takes a lng memory to bring Hanks up as top contender, whereas Depp, Dicaprio and Radcliffe are all currently in their hot streaks, which have been going for quite some time.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

In my opinion, Depp and DiCaprio are the full package in my opinion. They were the actors who ruled this decade from both a financial and critical stand point. Hoffman hasn't really enjoyed mainstream success like the other two but he's been a critic's wet dream so he deserves some mention, I feel.

Also, one man everyone seems to have left out but has truly ruled the decade, perhaps more so than Depp and DiCaprio. George Clooney. He enjoyed some success in the late 90s with The Perfect Storm and Oh Brother Where Art Thou, but his real success began in 2001 with Ocean's 11. Since then, the man has become a critical and financial super star both behind and infront of the camera and has earned become an icon. I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Clooney.

Then there are actors who have enjoyed continual success, Tom Hanks has starred in many of the biggest movies of the decade. Same with Brad Pitt and Ian McKellan.

Also I find it odd that only one person has mentioned Daniel Radcliffe. He may not be much of an actor or have much of a career post-Potter, but one cannot change the fact that this decade he has headlined the most successful movie franchise of all time. That alone should at least give him consideration.

I find it odd that so many are eager to claim someone like Bale or Ledger the "actors of the decade," when their commercial and critical success outside of fanboy franchises has been at best limited, meanwhile, only one person mentioned Clooney or Radcliffe and NO ONE mentioned Tom ****in' Hanks? Ledger and Bale in numerous posts but no mention of Tom Hanks? Fanboys are funny.

If I were to rate the top five actors based on combined commercial and critical success it would be in this order:

5) Tom Hanks
4) George Clooney
3) Leo DiCaprio
2) Daniel Radcliffe (a lot will bite my head off for putting him above Leo but lets face it, you can't name one other actor this decade who has headlined a franchise that has pulled in 5 billion dollars and has had six films that made more than 700 million).
In the end, I'd say my top five actors
1) Johnny Depp

Then of course there are subcategories, Comeback actor of the decade would probably Downey, Philip Seymor Hoffman probably enjoyed the most critical success this decade, Will Ferrell the most comedic, etc.

I don't agree with this, simply because his comeback came way too late in the decade, he's had 2, possibly 3 great roles as part of his comeback. Next decade he may prove this if he continues to work like he has in the past year and a half.

 

[Evil Twin]

Will Smith is notable by his absence from many of these lists. And, I think many would argue that he's the only true box office draw based on name alone these days.

 

[Laderlappen]

Regarding Clooney:

While he has become a Hollywood icon, he is not a bankable star. His fme is heading in the direction of "famous because he's famous". He'll have a blockbuster film, fllowed by several duds.

No actors are really that bankable. Not anymore atleast. People care much more about actors personal life than the movies they are in. Everybody makes flops. Even Will Smith.
There are a certain type of movies people like. Clooney hasnt made one of these yet.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

....



Sam Rockwell.

 

[Cmill216]

Toss-up between DiCaprio and Depp.

 

[Speedball]

Aww... no one has mentioned Gary Oldman yet.

 

[Cmill216]

No actors are really that bankable. Not anymore atleast. People care much more about actors personal life than the movies they are in. Everybody makes flops. Even Will Smith.
There are a certain type of movies people like. Clooney hasnt made one of these yet.

Will Smith is the only bankable star in Hollywood. His résumé speaks for itself.

Take Seven Pounds for example. Put anybody else in that movie, and it doesn't make a dime. It made $168 million worldwide solely because of Will Smith.

 

[DACrowe]

Regarding Clooney:

While he has become a Hollywood icon, he is not a bankable star. His fme is heading in the direction of "famous because he's famous". He'll have a blockbuster film, fllowed by several duds.

Regarding Tom Hanks:

He ended the last decade on a hot streak, and capped it with Cast Away early this decade. From there his box office success and critical acclaim cooled. By decades end, it takes a lng memory to bring Hanks up as top contender, whereas Depp, Dicaprio and Radcliffe are all currently in their hot streaks, which have been going for quite some time.

I'd disagree his only "duds" are movies he cares about making and are meant to be pieces he is proud of and the kind that get high critical praise. This would include Syriana, Goodnight and Good Luck, Michael Clayton, etc.). But then he has films like the Ocean's # trilogy that are huge hits that everybody loves. He is famous because he has that Cary Grant swagger of cool and walks the walk. I'd say his only failures really were Leatherheads and The Good German and the latter was never meant to be a hit either.

But even his work with the Coen Brothers, two of the most bankable and artfully abstract directors in Hollywood, were big hits: O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Intolerable Cruelty; Burn After Reading.

For their size they were very successful.

 

[Heretic]

Will Smith is bankable...but his resume doesnt scream OWNED THE DECADE.

Legend Of Bagger Vance?
Ali
Men In Black 2
Bad Boys 2
I, Robot
Hitch
The Pursuit Of Happyness
I Am Legend
Hancock
Seven Pounds

I'm not sure why, but that list seems forgettable to me. I do think he's well up there and should be considered...maybe I'm off base.

 

[Cmill216]

No, I don't think he owned the decade as an actor, per se. His best stuff was in the 90s.

But in terms of bankability? Heck yes.