# Male film actors born in the U.S. in the past 100 years **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833 "2023-08-20T14:00:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/1 "2023-08-20T14:00:10Z")
Brando was born in Nebraska in 1924, so essentially it’s a list of actors who first appeared in movies after World War II ended. Of the 20 actors listed below, I’d like you to rank the top ten, based strictly on their performances in films (not stage, or TV, etc.). Feel free to add actors I’ve omitted, as long as they conform to the constrictions in the title. (No Gregory Pecks or Anthony Hopkinses, for example.) You may consider quantity as well as quality, range in addition to performance quality, film choices as well as their individual performances, secondary roles and top billings. Please do NOT consider their “star” quality—i.e., box office success, their ability to draw movie-goers to the theaters. You are judging their talents as actors. Marlon Brando George C. Scott Rod Steiger Paul Newman Dustin Hoffman Jack Nicholson Steve McQueen Robert Duvall Robert Redford Morgan Freeman Tom Hanks Harrison Ford Robert De Niro Al Pacino Richard Dreyfuss Michael Douglas Denzel Washington Tom Cruise Brad Pitt Edward Norton ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/2 "2023-08-20T15:48:38Z")
My own top ten list, ranked in order of greatness of acting talent and range, is 1. Brando 2. Hoffman 3. De Niro 4. Washington 5. Hackman (forgot to include him!!) 6. Scott 7. Newman 8. Norton 9. Poitiers (forgot him, too) 10 Pitt ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/3 "2023-08-20T15:55:38Z")
My choices, following the OP’s guidelines, are: 1. Paul Newman 2. Dustin Hoffman 3. Robert DeNiro 4. Al Pacino 5. Brad Pitt 6. Robert Duval 7. George C. Scott 8. Tom Hanks 9. Morgan Freeman 10. Richard Dreyfuss ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/4 "2023-08-20T17:11:28Z")
Jack Nicholson Dustin Hoffman Samuel L Jackson Joaquin Phoenix Gene Hackman Brad Pitt Denzel Washington Al Pacino Philip Seymour Hoffman Bradley Cooper ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/5 "2023-08-20T17:20:43Z")
Hoffman’s a good addition. Cooper, I can do without, but okay. I assume these are ranked in order? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/6 "2023-08-20T17:30:37Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Cooper, I can do without, but okay. I figured that he did a tour de force of Oscar-caliber work in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, and then did Oscar-caliber work breaking out _completely different stuff_ in AMERICAN SNIPER, and then did Oscar-caliber work breaking out _completely different stuff_ in A STAR IS BORN, and that all of that leading-man stuff is what he does when he’s not busy doing, y’know, Oscar-caliber supporting-actor work. Color me impressed. > [@](#): > > I assume these are ranked in order? I dunno. As of right now, I’m willing to casually reshuffle 2-10, but I’m sold on #1. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/7 "2023-08-20T17:31:19Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Poitiers (forgot him, too) I was going to point out that he was from the Bahamas, which in a sense he was, but it seems his parents were visiting Miami when he was unexpectedly born 2 months premature. He later, but not much, claimed his US citizenship, first moving to Miami, then New York as a teenager. Maybe I should put this under the Wow thread. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/8 "2023-08-20T22:34:23Z")
My “forgot” list: Ed Harris William Hurt Scott Glenn Any other nominees? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/9 "2023-08-21T01:12:41Z")
1. Marlon Brando 2. Robert De Niro 3. Al Pacino 4. Sidney Poiter ( **add-on** ) 5. Edward Norton 6. Robert Duvall 7. Jack Nicholson 8. Paul Newman 9. Philip Seymour Hoffman ( **add-on** ) 10. Dustin Hoffman ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/10 "2023-08-21T01:27:43Z")
I think Robin Williams could be part of this list. ---
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/11 "2023-08-21T10:05:13Z")
I would add Harvey Keitel ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/12 "2023-08-21T10:10:44Z")
All fine, but would you put Williams or Keitel (or Jeff Bridges) in your top ten? If so, where would you put them? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/13 "2023-08-21T14:44:15Z")
Billy Bob Thornton born 1955, in Arkansas, should be on the list. He may not be a flashy leading man, but his immersion into characters is astonishing. He transforms his mannerisms and speech. He doesn’t play the same character over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/14 "2023-08-21T14:56:33Z")
Laurence Fishburne should be in the discussion as well. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/15 "2023-08-21T14:58:41Z")
A lot of people could be added to the list. Several should be removed. Tom Cruise is barely an actor, Same for Redford. Dreyfuss and Denzel certainly don’t belong in the top 10. George C. Scott and Rod Steiger were great at chewing the scenery but not so much at showing any range. Even Morgan Freeman, as much as I find him entertaining he is just the same old Morgan Freeman playing himself in different parts. Not that there are many actors who do much different. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/16 "2023-08-21T15:08:31Z")
I quite agree. So you can easily eliminate Cruise. I would lop off Redford as well. I think Denzel has shown considerable range, and impressive chops, but that’s what makes horseracing. Add anyone you like. But please do pick your top ten, ranked in order. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/17 "2023-08-21T15:18:44Z")
Latest revised master list to choose from: Marlon Brando George C. Scott Rod Steiger Paul Newman Dustin Hoffman Jack Nicholson Steve McQueen Robert Duvall Robert Redford Morgan Freeman Tom Hanks Harrison Ford Robert De Niro Al Pacino Richard Dreyfuss Michael Douglas Denzel Washington Tom Cruise Brad Pitt Edward Norton Gene Hackman Sidney Poitier Phillip Sidney Hoffman Ed Harris William Hurt Robin Williams Harvey Keitel Jeff Bridges Bradley Cooper Scott Glenn Billy Bob Thornton Lawrence Fishburne ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/18 "2023-08-21T15:37:36Z")
Add to your list: Robert Duvall James Dean Sean Penn Leonardo DiCaprio ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/19 "2023-08-21T15:56:03Z")
It’s hard to say how good an actor is based on a single performance since they could just be well-fitted to that role, have had a director that was able to pull it out of them, etc. so I can’t really judge quite a few of these. I’ve heard that Brando was good when he was young and lead the way for the Method Acting but, personally, I was underwhelmed by his performance in Apocalypse Now, felt like he was more sinister in The Freshman than he was in The Godfather, and am pretty sure that syphilis or something had mostly eaten his brain by the time that he did The Island of Doctor Moreau. I’ve seen Patton but, otherwise, I haven’t seen anything by George C. Scott and I don’t recall Patton all that clearly. Rod Steiger - Haven’t heard of him Paul Newman - I’ve seen him in some bit parts but have no real sense of his acting ability Steve McQueen - No opinion So, of actors that I can say something more about, I would say… Actors who can both act AND leave an impression: 1. Edward Norton 2. Denzel Washington 3. Jack Nicholson 4. Robert Duvall 5. Harrison Ford 6. Robert De Niro 7. Al Pacino Actors with gaps: 1. Dustin Hoffman - Did a decent job of playing self-deprecating roles when he was younger but tends to be a bit broad and cartoony with everything since then. 2. Brad Pitt - Not a terribly great actor for about the first decade of his career (until about 2000). He switched around to be a very strong actor for a bit (until about 2008) but, now, seems to mostly be coasting on his own name. 3. Robert Redford - Seems to mostly just play, “That cool guy” 4. Michael Douglas - Seems to mostly just play, “That cool guy” 5. Richard Dreyfuss - Was good in Jaws as a guy who’s out of his depth. Otherwise, he tends to be a bit like Hoffman and plays overly broad and cartoony characters most of the time. 6. Morgan Freeman - Great voice and good at playing that “wise and satisfied-with-life guy” but doesn’t seem to do much outside of playing “Morgan Freeman”. 7. Tom Hanks - He’s played a lot of different roles but, somehow, never really landed it for me as being deeply into that character. Which is a bit strange because I feel like the actor is probably one of the smarter people in Hollywood. 8. Tom Cruise - Seems to mostly just play, “That cool guy”. Immortality isn’t a component of acting ability. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833/20 "2023-08-21T16:03:42Z")
Robert De Niro Kevin Spacey (based on his acting) Sean Penn Philip Seymour Hoffman Brad Pitt Richard Dreyfuss Robert Duvall Gene Hackman Dustin Hoffman Tom Hanks [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-film-actors-born-in-the-u-s-in-the-past-100-years/988833.md?page=2)