Best Hollywood Actors of the 21st Century, Ranked
Hollywood in the 21st century has blended global franchise power with ambitious character-driven filmmaking, which means the most successful performers have balanced box office leadership with acclaimed dramatic work. This list considers feature film work released since 2000 and focuses on measurable achievements such as major awards, nominations, milestone roles, consistent leading or pivotal supporting work, and industry impact through production or creative collaborations.
Television credits are noted when they directly shaped an actor’s film career or showcased skills that carried into major films. International stars are included when they have sustained careers in Hollywood productions alongside work in their home industries. The entries appear in countdown order from twenty five to one.
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender earned Academy Award nominations for portraying the Apple cofounder in ‘Steve Jobs’ and for his role in ‘12 Years a Slave’. His collaborations with Steve McQueen on ‘Hunger’ and ‘Shame’ established a long running partnership that extended his reach across independent and studio films.
His filmography also includes franchise work in the ‘X-Men’ series and period pieces such as ‘Jane Eyre’. He has produced selected projects through his company and has combined European productions with Hollywood releases, maintaining a steady presence across both markets.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in ‘The Revenant’ and won the BAFTA Rising Star Award early in the decade. He headlined the revival of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and played key roles in ‘Inception’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, adding major franchises to his resume.
He expanded his creative footprint by cocreating and starring in the series ‘Taboo’ and by taking on the title role in the ‘Venom’ films. His credits cover contemporary crime dramas, war films such as ‘Dunkirk’, and character pieces, which has kept him active in both studio tentpoles and mid budget features.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o won the Academy Award for her debut film performance in ‘12 Years a Slave’. She went on to star in ‘Us’ and joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ‘Black Panther’ and its sequel, while also contributing voice work to the latest ‘Star Wars’ trilogy.
She trained at the Yale School of Drama and has worked across film, television, and documentary projects, including narration and stage work that reinforce her range. Her film roles span horror, historical drama, and large scale action, which has positioned her as a reliable lead and ensemble performer in Hollywood.
Adam Driver
Adam Driver earned Academy Award nominations for ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and ‘Marriage Story’. He also played a central role in the recent ‘Star Wars’ trilogy as Kylo Ren, giving him a combination of prestige recognition and franchise visibility.
He has collaborated multiple times with directors such as Noah Baumbach and Ridley Scott and has balanced contemporary dramas with period epics and science fiction. His background with the Juilliard School and the nonprofit Arts in the Armed Forces connects his screen work with ongoing arts advocacy.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for ‘Still Alice’ and holds multiple prior nominations for films including ‘Far from Heaven’ and ‘The Hours’. She has remained a frequent presence in festival premieres and award seasons across the century.
Her filmography includes visionary projects such as ‘Children of Men’ and studio releases like ‘The Hunger Games’ entries. She continues to alternate between independent dramas and major franchises, and she has also produced select films, broadening her role in Hollywood beyond acting.
Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard won the Academy Award for ‘La Vie en Rose’, one of the few times an actor has won for a French language performance while working within Hollywood. She added high profile roles in ‘Inception’, ‘Allied’, and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.
She has worked in both European cinema and American studio features and has served as a producer and environmental advocate. Her Hollywood career includes collaborations with Christopher Nolan and Robert Zemeckis, and she remains active across languages while maintaining a steady slate of English language roles.
Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali is a two time Academy Award winner for ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Green Book’. He has also led notable television projects that increased his profile before and during his film awards run.
He has taken on Marvel work with the planned ‘Blade’ title role while continuing to appear in character driven dramas. His career includes audiobook narration and stage experience, and he frequently partners with filmmakers in both independent and studio spaces to anchor complex supporting and leading roles.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams has received multiple Academy Award nominations for films including ‘Junebug’, ‘Doubt’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘The Master’, ‘American Hustle’, and ‘Vice’. Her nominations span both supporting and leading categories across a wide range of genres.
Her credits pair acclaimed dramas such as ‘Arrival’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ with large scale family and superhero films including ‘Enchanted’ and ‘Man of Steel’. She has also produced projects and continued to work with frequent collaborators like David O. Russell and Denis Villeneuve.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan holds several Academy Award nominations for ‘Atonement’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and ‘Little Women’. She began receiving major recognition as a teenager and has maintained a consistent presence in prestige filmmaking.
Her film choices include period adaptations, contemporary coming of age stories, and genre pieces such as ‘Hanna’. She has worked repeatedly with directors Greta Gerwig and Joe Wright and has balanced leading roles with ensemble parts that keep her active in both studio and independent circles.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. won the Academy Award for his supporting performance in ‘Oppenheimer’ and previously earned nominations for ‘Chaplin’ and ‘Tropic Thunder’. He led the Marvel Cinematic Universe launch with ‘Iron Man’ and contributed to multiple ‘Avengers’ films.
He has also headlined franchise titles like ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and produced film and television through Team Downey. His career includes a return to prestige projects while maintaining a profile in global box office titles, which gives him a rare combination of awards momentum and franchise leadership.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for his supporting role in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and received nominations for ‘Moneyball’, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, and ‘Babel’. As a producer at Plan B, he won Best Picture for ‘12 Years a Slave’.
His filmography spans acclaimed titles such as ‘The Tree of Life’ and large scale action features. He continues to develop and produce films for other actors and directors while maintaining star roles, which has sustained his influence across both sides of the camera.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy won the Academy Award for his leading performance in ‘Oppenheimer’. He has long collaborated with Christopher Nolan in films including ‘Inception’ and ‘Dunkirk’, and he led the series ‘Peaky Blinders’ between major film roles.
His career includes early breakthroughs in ‘28 Days Later’ and continued appearances in thrillers, war films, and biographical dramas. He has worked across Irish, British, and American productions and remains active in theater, which supports a consistent presence in high profile film releases.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for ‘Black Swan’ and received nominations for ‘Closer’ and ‘Jackie’. She has also produced and directed, including her feature directorial debut ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’.
She holds a psychology degree from Harvard and is fluent in multiple languages, which has enabled participation in international productions alongside Hollywood projects. Her credits range from franchise entries such as the ‘Star Wars’ prequels and ‘Thor’ films to intimate dramas and biopics.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis completed EGOT status by adding a Grammy for her memoir audiobook to an Academy Award for ‘Fences’, an Emmy for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, and multiple Tony Awards for stage work. She has film nominations for ‘Doubt’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’.
Her producing work supports stories led by underrepresented voices and she continues to headline films such as ‘The Woman King’. She maintains active partnerships with major studios and streaming platforms, ensuring a steady mix of historical drama and contemporary narratives.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton won the Academy Award for ‘Michael Clayton’ and has amassed a wide set of international honors. Her Hollywood roles include entries like ‘Doctor Strange’ while her independent work features ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, and ‘Suspiria’.
She frequently collaborates with auteurs such as Luca Guadagnino, the Coen brothers, Wes Anderson, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Her projects span experimental cinema and mainstream releases, and she often participates in museum and art collaborations that intersect with film.
Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem won the Academy Award for ‘No Country for Old Men’ and earned nominations for ‘Before Night Falls’, ‘Biutiful’, and ‘Being the Ricardos’. He played a major franchise villain in ‘Skyfall’, adding a global blockbuster to his awards portfolio.
He works in both Spanish and English language films and has longstanding collaborations with directors such as Alejandro González Iñárritu and Denis Villeneuve. His Hollywood roles range from biographical dramas to studio thrillers and family titles, which keeps his slate varied across genres.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Academy Award for ‘Capote’ and received supporting nominations for ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’, ‘Doubt’, and ‘The Master’. He was also a celebrated stage director and actor, expanding his influence beyond film before his death in 2014.
His Hollywood work included key roles in ‘Moneyball’ and the ‘Hunger Games’ series. He founded a theater company and taught master classes, and his film collaborations covered directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson and Bennett Miller, creating a body of work that remains central to 21st century cinema.
Christian Bale
Christian Bale won the Academy Award for ‘The Fighter’ and earned nominations for ‘The Big Short’, ‘American Hustle’, and ‘Vice’. He led the Batman trilogy that reshaped superhero cinema while continuing to pursue character driven roles.
He has worked with directors such as Christopher Nolan, David O. Russell, and Scott Cooper and has produced selective projects. His resume includes historical epics, sports dramas like ‘Ford v Ferrari’, and psychological thrillers, which keeps him active across studio and independent releases.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is a three time Academy Award winner with a record number of nominations that stretches across decades and continues through the 21st century. Her wins include ‘The Iron Lady’ within this period and she has nominations for films such as ‘Doubt’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.
She remains in demand for ensemble work and biographical roles and has contributed to musical films including ‘Mamma Mia’. She also supports industry initiatives for writers and performers and participates in projects that alternate between prestige dramas and mainstream entertainment.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio won the Academy Award for ‘The Revenant’ and holds multiple nominations for films such as ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, ‘Blood Diamond’, and ‘The Aviator’. He has sustained leading roles with consistent awards consideration since 2000.
He co founded Appian Way and has produced environmental documentaries alongside narrative features. His collaborations with Martin Scorsese have yielded several major releases, and he continues to headline large scale dramas that perform strongly with both audiences and awards bodies.
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix won the Academy Award for ‘Joker’ and earned nominations for ‘Gladiator’, ‘Walk the Line’, and ‘The Master’. He often works on character studies that form the center of festival and awards seasons.
His filmography includes collaborations with Ridley Scott, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Lynne Ramsay. He has also produced select projects and taken roles in both studio and independent films, maintaining a presence in psychological dramas, biopics, and genre reimaginations.
Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand has three Academy Awards for leading performances in ‘Fargo’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, and ‘Nomadland’, plus a Best Picture win as a producer for ‘Nomadland’. Her awards span the full modern era of Hollywood into the current century.
She frequently collaborates with the Coen brothers and with Chloé Zhao and appears in ensemble pieces as well as lead roles. Her career includes stage and television work that complements her film slate, and she continues to back projects through producing partnerships.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington holds two Academy Awards for ‘Glory’ and ‘Training Day’ and has additional nominations in the 21st century for films such as ‘Flight’, ‘Fences’, ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.’, and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. He also directed ‘Fences’ and ‘A Journal for Jordan’.
He maintains a significant stage career with a Tony Award and continues to lead film franchises like ‘The Equalizer’. He produces projects that adapt major American plays and supports new talent through mentorship and recurring collaborations with writers and directors.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett has two Academy Awards for ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Blue Jasmine’ and holds further nominations for ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Notes on a Scandal’, ‘Carol’, and ‘Tár’. She has worked across independent films and studio franchises, including roles in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Thor’.
She served as co artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company and continues to produce for film and television through her company. Her projects range from period dramas to contemporary social narratives, and she is a frequent presence at major film festivals worldwide.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis is a three time Academy Award winner for ‘My Left Foot’, ‘There Will Be Blood’, and ‘Lincoln’. His 21st century film work includes leading roles in ‘Gangs of New York’, ‘There Will Be Blood’, ‘Lincoln’, and ‘Phantom Thread’, which marked his announced retirement from acting.
He is known for long term collaborations with directors such as Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson and for extended preparation that includes research and craft immersion for each role. His selective approach to projects resulted in a concise but highly decorated body of work within modern Hollywood.
Share your own top picks and where you would place them in the countdown in the comments.