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[bionic77]

Clark Gable and John Wayne have to be up there for best careers.

Not necessarily my favorite actors but they were both legends and icons.

 

[thenexus6]

Jackie Chan, doing things no one else would do or will ever do, for the sake of entertaining people...

A true legend.

 

[aliengmr]

The Cruise Missile.

tom cruise shouldnt even be in the conversation. he hasnt been in a great film ever.

 

[Ahasverus]

Just off the top of my head, I'm tempted to say Meryl Streep is the best (American, at least) actress of all time.

No doubt.

 

[Dandy Lyin]

I know it's "obvious," but Meryl Streep.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Daniel Day Lewis is totally going to be that 86 year old with 6 Oscars.

 

[AgentChris]

Harrison Ford

He has headline performances in two of the world's best known and loved movie series Indiana Jones and Star Wars as Han Solo. He also played Tom Clancy's iconic hero Jack Ryan and a leading role in Blade Runner. Add in Witness and The Fugitive to show his great acting chops.

Frantic was pretty good too.

 

[kruis]

Ronald Reagan

Was a huge movie star, then eventually became the president of the united states

Huge movie star? Not really. I've seen hundreds movies from the thirties and forties and I've seen no more than two movies that had Ronald Reagan in a supporting role. The vast majority of Reagan's movies were completely forgettable (and deservedly forgotten) B-movies. Reagan never made it to the big league despite starring in dozens of movies.

 

[slightconfuse]

Tom Crusie

 

[kruis]

I only ever see Tom Hanks when Tom Hanks is acting.....i dont een know if he is a good actor

Go watch "Captain Phillips". Hanks should have been nominated for an Academy Award for that role IMO. His breakdown after they saved him was some of the best acting I've seen in years.

 

[Jumeira]

I'd agree with Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, DeNiro, Johnny Depp (still looks like he's in his 30s) .

 

[Super Wario]

Pauly Shore.

- Where are you from?
- South Dakota
- Fresh off the farm, oh my God, I can't believe it. Right across the hallway. Hallelujah. So you're inbred?
- What?
- You know, where your mom's your dad, and your dad's your brother.

 

[Zakalwe]

Leo D has been consistently great. Even his lesser films are worth seeing for his turn.

Shout out to:
Matthew M (great comeback)
Nick C (Just the sheer volume and craziness)

 

[kruis]

Best career ever? I'd nominate Clint Eastwood and I think it's impossible to top his achievements. A career spanning five decades, became hugely popular as a TV actor, went on to become a successful movie star, starred in bona fide masterpieces (Once Upon a Time in the West, For A Few Dollars More, Unforgiven), created legendary catch phrases ("Make my day, punk", won four Academy Awards as a director/producer, received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, wrote the soundtrack for many of his movies and made the biggest BO hit of 2014 (American Sniper) at the age of 84. And he's still making making movies. His next movie Sully will come out next year when Eastwood will be 86 years old.

 

[HarryKS]

Pick someone from the 80s.

AHnold.

 

[Frankenstrat]

I'd have to say Tom Hanks. He's had a hell of a career since the 80s.

 

[User 479360]

Tom Hanks is a good choice

DeNiro is up there, too.

My favourite is James Stewart.

 

[Fancy Clown]

Nah.

Horrible fucking accent and clownish overacting. The movie sucks anyway. Definitely one of De Palma's movies that falls on the shit side of his binary spectrum.

 

[Machine]

Robert Downey Jr. What a great career it would be/is to become insanely wealthy by playing a character that is an extension of yourself.

 

[MisterR]

I'll go Paul Newman.

 

[LakeEarth]

Kurt Russell. He's been working steadily for 46 years. No lull, no lull!

 

[GeordieMark]

Al Pacino.

Dude was Michael Corleone, Scarface, and Serpico.

I'd go for Al too

 

[ATF487]

David Bowie.

 

[BomberMouse]

While not the greatest I feel Angelina Jolie deserves a mention.

My vote goes to Tom Hanks and Arnold.

 

[AlteredBeast]

Best career ever? I'd nominate Clint Eastwood and I think it's impossible to top his achievements. A career spanning five decades, became hugely popular as a TV actor, went on to become a successful movie star, starred in bona fide masterpieces (Once Upon a Time in the West, For A Few Dollars More, Unforgiven), created legendary catch phrases ("Make my day, punk", won four Academy Awards as a director/producer, received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, wrote the soundtrack for many of his movies and made the biggest BO hit of 2014 (American Sniper) at the age of 84. And he's still making making movies. His next movie Sully will come out next year when Eastwood will be 86 years old.

Afaik, Clint Eastwood was not in OUaTitW... But I can't disagree with the sentiment. He is definitely top 10.

 

[revolverjgw]

Burt Lancaster deserves more love. Excelled in every genre from swashbucklers to foreign arthouse films, HUGE filmography with dozens of classics. I don't know why nobody ever talks about him anymore.

 

[Gusto]

Tom Hanks
Jack Nicholson
Robert De Niro

 

[jesu]

Jack Nicholson springs to mind for me.
De Niro is my favourite but he's went right down hill for years.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Harrison Ford
Tom Hanks
Arnold
Eastwood

 

[Chainsawkitten]

In terms of highest success rate (by my own personal standards): John Cazale and Erika Bók at 100% good films (though neither has been in very many).

 

[webkatt]

Nicolas Cage

 

[superdeluxe]

'Best' being defined by whatever standards you choose and the term 'actor' including all sexes. Keep in mind that I don't mean who you think has the greatest ability, just the greatest career.

Considering breadth of work, success of films and overall likeablility, I think the best acting career (again not necessarily ability) would have to go to Samuel L. (MF'ing) Jackson. Honorable mentions would include Marlon Brando and Tom Cruise. Most of Tom Hanks movies are too safe imo.

Eh. I would include oscars/awards into the criteria. I would say Daniel day Lewis & cate Blanchett are right there