# Who is the best actor and actress of this generation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2009, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605 "2009-01-23T07:34:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/41 "2009-01-23T21:54:23Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > You can’t be serious. I’d nominate her as one of the worst actresses working today. She’s on par with Milla Jovovich. Well, they both have impressive nipples, so there’s that, too. Actually now that I’ve has time to think a bit more, I’d pick Kate Winslet or Charlize Theron instead. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/42 "2009-01-23T22:17:40Z")
Something about Sean Penn bugs me - I think it’s that I’m always aware that he’s _acting_; his performances seem to draw attention to themselves. I’d agree with George Clooney (who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, I think, because of his dreamboat image) and Toni Collette, who I’ve never seen do any wrong. I also like Steve Buscemi, though I don’t know if he’s the “best”. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/43 "2009-01-23T22:43:04Z")
Daniel Day-Lewis. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/44 "2009-01-23T23:10:17Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Something about Sean Penn bugs me - I think it’s that I’m always aware that he’s _acting_; his performances seem to draw attention to themselves. Are you saying his performance _insists_ upon itself? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/45 "2009-01-23T23:21:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Denzel Washington. Yes, he’s on my list. Anyone who can from \*Training Day \*to _Courage under Fire_ and be equally believable has got some serious chops. Dustin Hoffman said the best actor of our generation was Robert Downey Jr. I assume he meant ‘if only stayed off heroin’. Robert is great, but has made some horrible, career derailing choices. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/46 "2009-01-23T23:37:29Z")
Leonardo DiCaprio Samantha Morton ---
**Author:** ![TastesLikeBurning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@TastesLikeBurning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TastesLikeBurning)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/47 "2009-01-24T01:14:11Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > You can’t be serious. I’d nominate her as one of the worst actresses working today. She’s on par with Milla Jovovich. Have you seen 21 Grams? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/48 "2009-01-24T01:16:03Z")
> [@TastesLikeBurning](#): > > Have you seen 21 Grams? Yes, I don’t recall her in it. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/49 "2009-01-24T01:27:07Z")
Was Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character in _Boogie Nights_ an asshole? I don’t remember the character that way. My favorite PSH role is Sandy in _Along Came Polly_. It’s a crap movie, but he totally steals the show. > [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I also like Steve Buscemi, though I don’t know if he’s the “best”. Well, he’s pretty damn good. Better than he usually gets credit for. Any guy who can actually pull off a line like “I drove through three states wearing her head for a hat” deserves some love. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/50 "2009-01-24T01:33:49Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Well, he’s pretty damn good. Better than he usually gets credit for. Any guy who can actually pull off a line like “I drove through three states wearing her head for a hat” deserves some love. You’re right. And I thought he should have received an Oscar nomination for _Ghost World_. All right, no more being wishy-washy. I’m going with Buscemi. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/51 "2009-01-24T01:40:12Z")
Buscemi’s good but I would hardly say underrated. He gets the mad love all the time. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/52 "2009-01-24T01:48:49Z")
DiCaprio or Downey, Jr. for the gentlemen. Kate Winslet or Cate Blanchett for the ladies. One who I think can be really good but gets overlooked for being a pretty boy is Brad Pitt. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/53 "2009-01-24T10:35:53Z")
I don’t know how so few people are mentioning **Johnny Depp**. The guy is convincing in everything he does, and he’s often unrecognizable as a famous movie star, a trait which few other stars can boast. The variety of roles he has played successfully are almost unparalleled. Some highlights: **Edward Scissorhands Donnie Brasco** Gilbert Grape ( **What’s Eating Gilbert Grape** ) Raoul Duke ( **Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas** ) Ichabod Crane ( **Sleepy Hollow** ) **Sweeney Todd** James Barrie ( **Finding Neverland** ) Roux ( **Chocolat** ) Even when he’s in bad movies, Depp is often the best part of the production. When he’s in a good movie, his character sometimes becomes iconic. And he has the guts to take on some pretty damned weird roles. As for actress, I’m far less certain. Emma Thompson sounds like a posibility. ---
**Author:** ![TastesLikeBurning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@TastesLikeBurning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TastesLikeBurning)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/54 "2009-01-24T13:18:17Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Yes, I don’t recall her in it. I realise these kind of threads are all very subjective, and please believe me when I say I don’t have posters on my wall of Naomi Watts, but, how can you say she is one of the worst actresses working today when you don’t even remember her from this movie? ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/55 "2009-01-24T15:50:02Z")
No love for Will Smith? Sure he’s done some crappy action roles, but I think he’s done a serious role to match every one of those. I guess I wouldn’t quite vote him Best, but I’m surprised he doesn’t even get a page one mention. He is the top earner lately right? Does that make one a bad actor? And what about Tom Cru_dodges hail of tomatoes_😛 I’ll vote Depp I guess, in spite of Pirates 2/3. Actress… too many to list. Streep is always a great performer, even if she’s not the hottest. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/56 "2009-01-24T19:46:07Z")
Just another bit to add to my man-love for **Depp** ; he’s the only actor whose presence in a movie makes me automatically want to see that movie. **Samuel L. Jackson** used to always bring me in, but he plays that angry vengeful son of a bitch schtick a bit too much and it’s getting stale and predictable. ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/57 "2009-01-24T20:34:25Z")
Men: Clooney’s a great comedic actor, but otherwise meh. Johnny Depp gets lots of credit for stretching himself with every role but I don’t think he’s naturally great. Samuel L. Jackson plays the same character every time. Same with Steve Buscemi. Matt Damon is underrated but not “great”. Can’t argue with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Christian Bale Michael Sheen Josh Brolin Chris Evans Bill Nighy is older, but since he’s just now getting some attention I’ll put him up there. Women: Naomi Watts: Are you high? Julianne Moore Patricia Clarkson Maggie Gyllenhaal Laura Dern (at times) Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and Toni Collette can’t be argued with. Up-and-coming: Mia Wasikowska ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/58 "2009-01-24T21:59:00Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Philip Seymore Hoffman would get it for his job in Twister alone. Actually, I would have said the same thing for Charlie Wilson’s War. ---
**Author:** ![Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liddle_Lamsy_Divey)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/59 "2009-01-24T22:47:13Z")
Going with Christian Bale and Johnny Depp (can’t wait for _Public Enemies_), and as for actresses, Kate Winslet . I also agree on Denzel Washington and Ed Norton. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605/60 "2009-01-24T23:34:26Z")
> [@TastesLikeBurning](#): > > I realise these kind of threads are all very subjective, and please believe me when I say I don’t have posters on my wall of Naomi Watts, but, how can you say she is one of the worst actresses working today when you don’t even remember her from this movie? If she was good I would have remembered her right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-best-actor-and-actress-of-this-generation/482605.md?page=4)