Acting is not for everyone. It's a craft that not only takes thousands of hours of practice to hone, but also a lot of focus and determination to master. Only the best of the best are allowed to star in feature films that are opening wide around the world. Even fewer receive the distinction of being formally recognized for their contributions to the art form through awards shows and the like.
Yet there is an even select group of actors and actresses who have the honor of being recognized as transcendently great: so good that they can be seen as if they had never given a bad performance. Always at the top of their game, these select masters of their craft always deliver the best possible performance for whatever project they sign on to. Here are 10 of those actors who have never given a bad performance.
Tilda Swinton
Rarely dependent on a bag of tricks or repetitive performances, Tilda Swinton is one of those once-in-a-lifetime, chameleon-like artists. Among all her various film appearances, not one is equal to the other; sometimes the multiple appearances she gives in one movie don't even remotely resemble each other. Swinton knows how to give the audience something like her sober, tender performance the eternal daughter, while being incredibly strange and terrifying in something like Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria. Every time she appears on screen, it's a gift to the art form, because you're never quite sure what she'll be able to accomplish. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that Tilda Swinton will be the best part of any movie she stars in.
Daniel Day Lewis
One of the most legendary movie actors of all time, Daniel Day Lewis is known for his methodical approach to acting. His dedication to his preparation for roles and development of his characters ensures a series of performances that are unparalleled in their ability. Between his breakthrough roles in movies like Last of the Mohicans, Lincoln, phantom wire, And There will be blood, Day-Lewis' repertoire is much more select than that of other actors of his ilk. He had a filmography of only 20 films before announcing his retirement in 2017, but he boasted three Oscar acting wins in that time. Daniel Day-Lewis is a legendary actor who has never delivered anything but the crème de la crème.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
One of the most reliable actors of the 2000s, the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman was the epitome of a protagonist in the body of a character actor. His charisma, dedication and explosive performances were always the best part of every movie he acted in. From his maniacal turn as the villain in Mission impossible 3into his character's simmering rage and ultra-charisma The teacherhe was an impressive talent no matter what project he showed up in. He might play lowlifes, eccentrics, misfits and underdogs, but he was always among the best of everything he showed up in. The great shame about his career is that it had to end so quickly, but we can enjoy the idea of being able to study endlessly and celebrate the work he left behind.
Kate Blanchett
The most nominated Australian actor ever, Kate Blanchett is one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation. With two Academy Awards and a slew of nominations, Blanchett is guaranteed to put on one of the most outstanding performances of the year every time she appears on screen. Even if she shows up for a role in a major blockbuster movie Thor: Ragnarok or Ocean 8 - her magnetism and devotion is palpable. Like fellow impresario Tilda Swinton, Blanchett also likes to turn in multiple appearances in the same movies, as she did in the Bob Dylan biopic. I'm not here or experimental art film manifest (where she portrayed 13 different characters). Suffice to say, if Blanchett is in a movie, it will be a performance to remember.
John Goodman
One of the most reliable character actors of the last 40 years, John Goodman never shows up without trying his hardest for every role he takes on. A regular in Coen Brothers films since almost the beginning, Goodman enjoys playing the eccentric, goofy, and endearingly gross side characters to the Coens' bumbling protagonists. Even in his more deviant performances in movies like Klaverveldlaan 10 or Monster Inc., he manages to be an enigmatic and utterly selfless performer. It's hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Sully or as the bumbling, drug-addicted music producer Inside Llewyn Davisbut luckily we have Goodman to make sure those roles reach their full potential.
Violet Davis
People of color have an extremely difficult time in the film industry. Even if they are able to break through the haze and put on big performances, they are rarely recognized for their contributions through awards or the like. Now, if you're a woman and a person of color, your problems getting the right roles and recognition just increased tenfold. Violet Davis is one of the lucky few who managed to beat all those odds and become a certified movie star, while still retaining an artistry and powerful sense of character that make even her performances in the most uneven of films worth watching . Davis is also one of the few people in history to be given the honor of holding an EGOT, making her not only one of the most important black actresses of all time, but also one of the most undeniable talents the film industry has ever seen. has seen.
Denzel Washington
It's almost cliche to say that Denzel Washington is (potentially) the greatest actor of all time. His talents have been seen in the movie business for over 40 years and 60 acting credits, and yet it feels like Washington doesn't get his flowers often enough. Few actors of any generation have been able to be the all-encompassing four-quadrant talent he has: starring in everything from countless Spike Lee joints to a handful of equalizer movies. Not only has the man never put in a poor performance, but it's hard to tell if Washington has ever put in a mediocre performance. His long career and continued status as the godfather of Hollywood is a testament to how enduring and timeless his work is. Washington is one of the most uncompromising talents in the movie business and he should always be recognized as such.
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart earns his place on this list by the simple virtue of being the archetype for almost every modern actor. Bogart was more than just a good actor: he was an undeniable screen presence who was able to mine any scene for all it was worth. The mere sight of him was enough to evoke something in an audience; a power that only the top actors and actresses can hold and harness. When Bogart played a movie as the most charismatic person in the room (a la The Maltese Falcon), it pays off in spades. Even better, however, would be when he played against type, as in Nicholas Ray's In a lonely place, where he plays a washed-up actor beside himself and on the ropes. Not only has the man never given a half performance, but he's also part of the reason why the art form has developed in such a profound way.
Anthony Hopkins
With a career as long and wide as Anthony Hopkins', it's hard to imagine a more fleeting, possibly uneven crop of film appearances. Even in his most questionable performances, it's hard to say he's bad at it - more like the wrong fit. The main caveat to keep in mind here, though, is that in any other case, Hopkins is one of the best to ever do it. The same actor who gave you Hannibal Lecter The silence of the lambs did you also give Count Van Helsing Bram Stoker's Draculaand then turned around and also played Odin in the Thor franchise. His whimsical devotion to his roles results in consistently interesting performances that are not only the best parts of any film he stars in, but also some of the most iconic of any genre he works in. It's hard to think of Hopkins as anything other than a once in a lifetime talent.
Jessica Chatain
On the level of Blanchett and Swinton, but not often recognized in the same breath, Jessica Chatain is another of a rare breed of modern actress. Chastain is a consummate professional in all directions of her creative pursuits, always delivering performances that are sometimes totally unexpected, but exactly what you expect from any given film role. Her strength and charisma in movie roles as the lead role of Zero dark thirty or Tammy Faye's eyes making her one of today's most accomplished actresses, even if her more underplayed roles such as in Molly's game or Crimson peak represent her ability to do some really strange things. Chastain is short for "a great actress," but it doesn't always seem like she's getting what she deserves because she's been so unabashedly consistent throughout her career.
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