1 Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump
For me, Forrest is by far the best 1994 movie. The controversy began about the best picture, which was pretty subjective. But regarding the best actor, the choice was obvious. The others did a good job, but Hanks had undeniably the best performance.
He 100% deserves it.
2 Russell Crowe - Gladiator
Russell Ira Crowe is an actor, film producer and musician. Although a New Zealand citizen, he has lived most of his life in Australia and identifies himself as an Australian. Gladiator followed by A Beautiful Mind... an INCREDIBLE actor. Far and away a much better actor than Tom Hanks who is always the same no matter which movie he's in.
The rare macho super-actor that Hollywood dearly wanted Crowe is the grandeur that the movie craved for.
One hell of a great movie
3 Robert De Niro - The Godfather Part, II
4 Tom Hanks - Philadelphia
5 Jack Nicholson - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
6 Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Never seen anything close to his role as The Joker. The mannerisms, the voice, the laugh. Maniacal genius and the best performance ever. Daniel Day Lewis probably watched his scenes with envy. Shame he had to die so young.
7 Adrien Brody - The Pianist
8 Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
9 Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
Forest Steven Whitaker III is an American actor, producer and director who has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird, The Crying Game, Platoon, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Great Debaters, The Butler and Arrival.He has also appeared in blockbusters such ...read more.
10 Roberto Benigni - Life Is Beautiful
Roberto Remigio Benigni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. Benigni is special and he is Italian like me. His film is the best
The Contenders
11 Dustin Hoffman - Kramer vs. Kramer
Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor and director with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. He has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters.
12 Robert De Niro - Raging Bull
one of de niros very best performances along with taxi driver. though I still can't believe he wasnt nominated for mean streets! he was great in deer hunter too
13 Dustin Hoffman - Rain Man
Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor and director with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. He has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters.
14 Al Pacino - Scent of a Woman
See the movie if you haven't seen it yet! And rate it to the top. You wont regret that. TRUST ME ON THAT! Yet another performance from the God Himself!
Come on. I've never seen the movie, but I already know it's good. Hooah... HOAH!
15 Anthony Hopkins - The Silence of the Lambs
16 Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
17 Leonardo Di Caprio - The Revenant
18 Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln
19 Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour
20 Joaquin Phoenix - Joker
21 Jamie Foxx - Ray
22 Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club