A guide to the most talented actors of this generation
When we look back at the history of Hollywood, we always remember the greats. The heartbreak of Marlon Brando’s Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. The crazy genius of taxi driver Robert De Niro. The low-key conflict within Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. We will always remember these legends as the pinnacle of great performances. Many of them are still putting on amazing performances to this day. De Niro was in the theater as we spoke. But one day, veterans will have to step aside to welcome a new generation. Immediately following these historical actors is a class of talented individuals who are as bold and versatile as the dramatic actors before them. They had box office success, adoring fans, and unparalleled acclaim. This new batch of actors has already put on some impressive performances. These are the new legends.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling recently dominated the 2017 awards season with Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for La La Land. But his greatness goes beyond this one performance. From his lovable mistress in Crazy, Stupid, Love, to his heartbroken divorcee in Blue Lovers, to his drug-addicted teacher in Half Nelson, Gosling has never met A role he couldn’t accept. He ended up becoming one of the most popular and talked about stars today as he fully transitioned into an on-screen character. For those with a soft spot for The Notebook, it was clear back in 2004 that Gosling was going to be a superstar. At only 36 years old, he still has enough time to dazzle us.
adam driver
Adam Driver seems unlikely to be on this list, but hear us out. He first caught our attention because of Lena Dunham’s questionable, socially awkward love interest in girls. Even in the supporting roles, he captures a depth, anger, and frustration that suggest something greater is waiting. He quickly rose from hipster Brooklyn in Dunham to the interstellar universe of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He went on to star in Martin Scorsese’s epic Silence and the acclaimed Patterson. From blockbusters to indie films to the small screen, Driver has shown an agility that most actors can never develop. His future is bright.
Leonardo DiCaprio
For Leonardo DiCaprio, his 2016 Oscars were the icing on the cake. He actually grew up on the movies. Thanks to the historic success of the Titanic, his place in film history has been cemented forever. Even before that, he showed great potential in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and other ’90s classics. However, as he got older, his acting got better and better. He put on some of the best performances in Hollywood history, including as Jordan Belfort in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Billy in “The Departed,” and “If You Could Catch Me,” as Frank Jr. Abagnale, and starring in “Romeo and Juliet.” Time and time again, DiCaprio has devoted himself entirely to telling the story of the man he inhabited. His Oscar-winning The Revenant is a testament to his skill and dedication to craftsmanship. He is a real actor.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon broke into Hollywood in a bold move, writing and starring in an emotional hunt for goodwill. As early as 1997, it was clear that he would have an impact on the film. Today, he’s one of the highest-paid actors in the world, earning more than Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp and his “Good Will Hunting” co-author Ben Affleck. Looking back at his career, we are most impressed by his roles in movies. He is the strength of the Jason Bourne film series. The comic backbone of the Ocean Eleven movie trio. The dramatic drive of the Martians. He’s a lovable star who makes audiences sympathize and identify with his characters, whether they deserve it or not. With every role, he’s reminding us why he’s been in Hollywood for over two decades.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey first gained a cult following in the 1993 classic “Dazed and Confused.” There, as Woodson, he uttered his unmistakable catchphrase “Okay, okay, okay.” That quote, along with his undeniable star power, kept him at the top of Hollywood’s A-list for 25 years. He showed his depth after winning at the box office in romantic comedies like “Launch Failed” and “How to Lose a Man in 10 Days.” Movies like Dallas Buyers Club and Mud show he’s not afraid of the dark. It’s this darkness that fueled the popularity of HBO’s hit series True Detective. He continues to play challenging roles that push him to the limits of being an actor and remind us why we continue to support his career.
Denzel Washington
There is something fascinating and fascinating about watching Denzel Washington on screen. His character is memorable for its intensity. He feeds on his character with a voracious appetite. From plot to action, indie to blockbuster, he seems to break our hearts and make our palms sweat with ease. He made us support the bad guys on training days, playing Detective Alonzo Harris. He brought us to tears when he played Coach Herman Boone in Remembering the Titans. He made us sympathize with his father who got the losing game. He tends to have authoritative characters, and as viewers, we trust him. We follow his direction and find ourselves drawn into the world of drama where he controls our emotions. That’s the mark of a truly great actor.
Whether their careers are less than ten years old or nearly four years old, the signs of great actors are easy to spot. Their reviews, box office receipts, and our memory of their character and agility all measure their effectiveness. Every actor on this list has met those criteria ten times, and it will be exciting to see how their careers continue to develop over time.
