ahem Alan Rickman.
Personally, I agree with Rubystreak. Many years from now people will watch certain films because they are Johnny Depp movies, just as people now will watch a movie 'cause it’s a Jimmy Stewart movie or a Cary Grant movie.
Since being good isn’t a true measure of the star’s lasting power…
…I nominate William Shatner!
If only for KHAAAANNNNN!!!
Ewan McGreggor I think will make it–though he is just starting.
It will be interesting to see if Brad Pitt becomes the next Marlon Brando.
And I would agree with Jim Carrey–if only as the guy to beat when it comes to comedy for the next generation, as Peter Sellers might have been before that.
Sadly, I think we might already have mostly forgotten John Candy. 
Tangental ->
Tim Robbins disappearing I can live with, but Kurt Russell we need to force into great roles if only so that he can be remembered!
But, I note that we are a good bit short on female actors so far… I must admit that Hollywood seems to have failed in advancing beyond “The greatness of movie actresses is their beauty!” like Marilyn Monroe or whatever. Our only two Shakespeare level actresses are Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter–neither of whom is anywhere near the level of Anthony Hopkins nor drop-dead beauties.
Personally, I hope that along with Kurt Russell, Mary McDonnell* will be forced into some great roles that will get her remembered.
Ah well.
- At least, I found her slight additions to Sneakers and Donnie Darko to be impressive–if still small parts.
i think brad pitt, johnny depp, and possibly ed norton as well, may become recognized as candidates for the greatest actor(s) of this time, if the future has any sense of justice.
jim carrey will definitely be the comic star of the age.
christina ricci might well be the shit as far as female actors go, but i guess that depends on what she does (or doesn’t do) over the next few.
i put nic cage & tom hanks in the second rung, solid performances always, but a severe lack boundary pushing. along with connery, ford, and too many female actors to even begin to list.
samuel jackson, kevin spacey, john cusak, and steve buscemi should all be placed somewhere in the middle between first tier & second rung. maybe add willem dafoe to this category.
other than jodie foster & chrisina ricci, i can’t think of many female actors that will still be famous years & decades from now… perhaps frances mcdormand, perhaps jennifer connelly, maybe geena davis, but that would be it.
I predict Leonardo DiCaprio will definitely end up a 2, and probably a 1. That man has a long career ahead of him.
Mmmmmmm, forgot about Jennifer. If she becomes the great female actress to represent our generation, then I’m satisfied.
I think Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett will be up there with all-time great actresses, and hopefully Jennifer Connelly and Scarlett Johannsen as well.
As for actors, I think Johnny Depp belongs on anyone’s A-list. Probably the most talented, versatile, chameleon-like actor working today. I’m a huge fan of Edward Norton, John Cusack, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, and Steve Buscemi, but I’m not sure if they will ever get their due (even though I’ll take any of them over the Toms, Cruise and Hanks).
Finally, I think Brad Pitt is an outstanding actor, especially in quirky character parts. I think he has been typecast as a leading man because he’s handsome, but he really shines playing in more offbeat roles in “smaller” movies.
Where will Julia Roberts end up?
I’d have to agree with just about everyone here. Tom Cruise is SO NOT AN “A” LIST ACTOR!
I’ll add Tim Roth and Harvey Keitel to the list.
I read that article earlier this week(this is it, in case you are curious) and thought of that old thread (I started it).
I really disagreed with the writer’s assessments, but I appreciated the effort.
The way I look at it is a little different. Will some of todays actors be rememebered in 70 years, ceratinly. Will they be widely appreciated the same as they are today. Possibly not.
Like all art acting styles change with the times. What is seen as great at one time will look odd later.
Theatre at teh turn of the last century was populated by actors who’s style would make modern audiences laugh them off the stage. It was the accepted style at the time to be “over the top” with accepted gestures. (A hand to the side of the mouth to make an aside to the audience, a woman would put a hand to the forehead palm out to denote destress etc.)
Chaplin for example is widely recognized as one of the silent era’s greatest comic actors. How many average Joes and Josephines will watch him and say he is better or funnier than a Jim Carey or (shudder) Adam Sandler? His pantomime looks quaint to some, in fact, those who hate mimes may hate it all together. (Hell most people complain about black and white film as being unawatchable as old what would they think of silent films?)
Or How about John Barrymoore? His acting style was comon for the stage at the time but now looks over they top.
Now in these examples the actor’s art can still be appreciated in the context and each still has that certain something that attracts people later. But for most, the wide appeal is more based on reputation than actual appreciation.
The point is who knows what future audiences will accept as fine acting, it could even go to such subtlty that what we like today could look over the top.
For women, I think as of today the one with the best shot at lasting fame is Nicole Kidman.
Male: Jon Voight
Female: Kathy Bates
Anthony Hopkins
Winona Ryder
Angelina Jolie
Emma Thompson
maybe Kenneth Branaugh
I’m now thinking, after pondering this for awhile – Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, Scarlett Johannson, and John Malcovich as dramatic actors. Comedic? I’m still thinking.
What “list” are people throwing out names for? Forgotten or well-remembered?
Emma Thompson is the bomb.
Judi Dench and The guy who was the Wizard guy in LoTR are awesome.
Pete Postlewait has always been a solid, solid actor. Along the lines, I think of Steve Buscemi.
Remembering that there are many more good actors than good writers and sometimes memorable parts need to be memorably written (unless Johnny Depp is the actor) … if the parts are even halfway there, I think the following could rise to greatness:
Peter O’Toole (really close already)
Ian McKellan
Geoffrey Rush
Ewan McGregor
Jamie Foxx
Emma Thompson
Helen Mirren
Scarlett Johanson
Elijah Wood
He’s been in some terrible movies, but I suppose most of these people have.
I think Pacino would have to be in category #1. He was Michael Corleone! Connery’s up there, too. He’s become much less of an actor and more of a personality, but he was James Bond. He defined screen sexy for a long time, and perplexing as it is, some people still find him attractive.
Working against both of the above, and also DeNiro - especially DeNiro - is that they’ve all sort of become caricatures of themselves. Sean is that guy who was on SNL Celebrity Jeopardy. Pacino is tired and yells a lot, although he’s still capable of good performances, like in Insomnia and The Merchant of Venice. DeNiro has been mailing it in for AGES at this point. But I’m not sure it’ll matter.
I shudder to imagine how people will remember Julia Roberts.