Orson Welles was one of the most polarizing entertainment figures of his time. The first film he ever directed, produced and appeared in was “Citizen Kane”, which is largely considered the best film of all time. Love him or hate him, it’s undeniable that Orson Welles had more influence on Hollywood in his lifetime than most of today’s actors combined.
If you’re interested in a bit of history about the actor, we highly recommend that you check out the wonderful documentary “They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead”, a wonderful tribute from the streaming service, Netflix, that was released in 2018. His best films include “Citizen Kane” (1941), “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942), “The Lady from Shanghai” (1947), “Touch of Evil” (1958), “The Trial” (1962), “Chimes at Midnight” (1966) and “F for Fake” (1973).
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman is one of Hollywood's biggest underdogs. The actor has been a consistent 'tour de force' throughout the years when it comes to acting, but has yet to receive any serious awards for his magnificent acting. Many blame his lack of accreditation on his good and quiet nature, as well as the way he props up other actors with his supportive acting rather than trying to take over the scene. Oldman finally got his first Oscar after his brilliant performance as Winston Churchill in "The Darkest Hour". His most popular role to date was Sirius Black in the "Harry Potter" series.
If you love Gary Oldman and want to check out some of his best work, we recommend that you watch the actor completely transform his appearance and personality in "The Darkest Hour", play the devil himself in Bram Stoker’s "Dracula", or in his legendary performance as Lee Harvey Oswald, former President JFK’s assassin, in the biopic film about John F. Kennedy, titled "JFK".
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Movie fans and actors all across the world cried when the beloved actor Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away. The actor starred in some of the most incredible films of all time, and had a knack for movies that explored people's psyches and motivations. Hoffman began his career in 1992, next to Al Pacino, in the iconic film "Scent of a Woman". From there on, the actor went on to appear in classic films such as "The Big Lebowski", "Moneyball", "The Talented Mr. Ripley", and "Capote", which awarded him with an Oscar for Best Actor.
One of his best movies, and arguably his most incredible performance, came in 2012's "The Master". A psychological drama film starring him, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams, in a deep exploration story that closely parallels that of the Church of Scientology. The film received critical claim and got Hoffman three Oscar nominations. Paul Thomas Anderson, the award-winning director of the film, claims this is his favorite film of all time.
Spencer Tracy
Many people who were born in the 21st century don't have any idea who Spencer Tracy is. It's a shame too, because Tracy is widely considered one of Hollywood's greatest actors. He was born in 1900 and was an actor from 1921 until his death in 1967. The actor was well known for his versatile abilities and incredible natural acting style. Tracy received two Academy Awards for Best Actor and was highly praised throughout most of his career.
Some of his most endearing films include the 1950's comedy, "Father of the Bride", the 1960's court drama, "Inherit the Wind", and his most successful film to date is "Adam's Rib", a 1949 romantic comedy. Tracy also won his two Oscars in consecutive years for his performance in "Captains Courageous" (1937) and "Boys Town" (1938).
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire is a special actor on this list, because he's also one of the most talented dancers in Hollywood. He was an actor during a time when films were more about entertainment and less about acting, which is why most of his films are musicals. Astaire had an incredible charisma that can be seen through his body of work. Some of his classic films include musicals such as "Top Hat" (1935), "Swing Time" (1936), and "Shall we Dance" (1936). Astaire's career lasted for almost eight decades, making him one of the most influential dancers in film history.
Fred Astaire’s greatest film to date is widely considered to be the 1936 black and white classic, "Swing Time". It featured a comedic musical performance by the talented actor and his co-actress, Ginger Rogers (who often starred besides him). The film is widely considered as one of the best dance musicals of all time, and has four different dance routines which are regarded as masterpieces even today.