Top 10 Best Actors of the '70s
The 1970s were an unforgettable decade for movies. It was a time when Hollywood broke new ground, shaking off the conventions of the past and letting actors experiment with bolder, riskier roles. The era brought an edge and authenticity that audiences hadn't really seen before, and much of that came from the performers themselves, who weren't afraid to get gritty and real in a way that still feels fresh today.If you're a fan of '70s films, then you'll know just how unique the acting talent was in this period. This list celebrates those who helped define the movies of the time.
The Top Ten
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino (born April 25, 1940) is an American actor and filmmaker. Pacino has had a career spanning over five decades and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime... read more
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino (born April 25, 1940) is an American actor and filmmaker. Pacino has had a career spanning over five decades and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime... read more Amazing string of movies in quick succession.
The best there ever was!
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American actor and filmmaker whose career has spanned over 60 years. He is known for his wide range of roles, including satirical comedies, romantic dramas, and portrayals of antiheroes and psychopathic characters. In many of his films, Nicholson plays... read more
John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American actor and filmmaker whose career has spanned over 60 years. He is known for his wide range of roles, including satirical comedies, romantic dramas, and portrayals of antiheroes and psychopathic characters. In many of his films, Nicholson plays... read more Tough choice between De Niro and Nicholson.
Should be #1. Way better than Al Pacino.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Chinatown - simply wow!
Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. (born August 17, 1943) is an American actor and producer. He is particularly known for his nine collaborations with filmmaker Martin Scorsese and is the recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and a Screen... read more
Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. (born August 17, 1943) is an American actor and producer. He is particularly known for his nine collaborations with filmmaker Martin Scorsese and is the recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and a Screen... read more Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, New York, New York, The Deer Hunter. Robert is GOD.
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman (January 30, 1930 - February 26, 2025) was a retired American actor and novelist. In a career that spanned nearly six decades, Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Actor for his role in "The French Connection" (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for his... read more
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman (January 30, 1930 - February 26, 2025) was a retired American actor and novelist. In a career that spanned nearly six decades, Hackman was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Actor for his role in "The French Connection" (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for his... read more A couple of masterpieces in the '70s.
Warren Oates
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford Jr., known professionally as Robert Redford, is an American actor born on August 18, 1936. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, and philanthropist. He founded the Sundance Film Festival and the Sundance Institute, which... read more
Charles Robert Redford Jr., known professionally as Robert Redford, is an American actor born on August 18, 1936. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, and philanthropist. He founded the Sundance Film Festival and the Sundance Institute, which... read more Lively and fun. Took part in a couple of the greatest movies of this decade, namely The Sting.
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American actor, film director, and activist. He is credited with bringing a gripping realism to film acting and is often cited as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time. He died on July 1, 2004, at the age of 80.
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American actor, film director, and activist. He is credited with bringing a gripping realism to film acting and is often cited as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time. He died on July 1, 2004, at the age of 80. The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), Superman (1978), On the Waterfront (1954).
The Godfather. That's enough.
Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor and director with a career spanning film, television, and theatre since the 1960s. He's known for his portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable characters. Hoffman has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor for Kramer... read more
Dustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor and director with a career spanning film, television, and theatre since the 1960s. He's known for his portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable characters. Hoffman has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor for Kramer... read more Dustin is one of the most innovative actors of his genre. Love him in everything he does. Timeless.
His outstanding decade!
Woody Allen
Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg. November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing material for television in the 1950s, primarily for Your Show... read more
Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg. November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing material for television in the 1950s, primarily for Your Show... read more So unique, fresh, and funny - genius!
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American actor and film producer. He gained worldwide fame for his starring roles as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and the titular character in the Indiana Jones film series. Ford has also received critical acclaim for roles in films such as The Fugitive, Witness, and... read more
Harrison Ford is an American actor and film producer. He gained worldwide fame for his starring roles as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and the titular character in the Indiana Jones film series. Ford has also received critical acclaim for roles in films such as The Fugitive, Witness, and... read more
The Newcomers
? Ove Sprogøe
? Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor, voice actor and comedian best known for his roles as Emmett "Doc" Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Merlock the Magician in DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and... read more
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor, voice actor and comedian best known for his roles as Emmett "Doc" Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Merlock the Magician in DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and... read moreThe Contenders
Walter Matthau
Dom DeLuise
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer, and singer. He rose to fame in the 1970s after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office hits Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). Travolta later experienced a resurgence in popularity with roles... read more
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer, and singer. He rose to fame in the 1970s after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office hits Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). Travolta later experienced a resurgence in popularity with roles... read more
James Caan
James Edmund Caan was an American actor. After early roles in films such as El Dorado, Caan rose to prominence in the 1970s with significant roles in films including Brian's Song, The Godfather, The Gambler, Funny Lady, and A Bridge Too Far. He was nominated for several major awards throughout his career... read more
James Edmund Caan was an American actor. After early roles in films such as El Dorado, Caan rose to prominence in the 1970s with significant roles in films including Brian's Song, The Godfather, The Gambler, Funny Lady, and A Bridge Too Far. He was nominated for several major awards throughout his career... read more
Yaphet Kotto
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician... read more
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician... read more
Gene Wilder
Jerome Silberman, known professionally as Gene Wilder, is an American stage and screen comic actor, screenwriter, and author. Wilder began his career on stage, and made his screen debut in the TV-series Armstrong Circle Theatre in 1962. On August 28th 2016, Wilder died due to complications with Alzheimer's... read more
Jerome Silberman, known professionally as Gene Wilder, is an American stage and screen comic actor, screenwriter, and author. Wilder began his career on stage, and made his screen debut in the TV-series Armstrong Circle Theatre in 1962. On August 28th 2016, Wilder died due to complications with Alzheimer's... read more
Burt Lancaster
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, March 14, 1933) is an English actor, producer, and author. He has appeared in more than 130 films in a career spanning 70 years and is considered a British film icon. Known for his cockney accent, Caine was born in South London, where during his... read more
Sir Michael Caine, CBE (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, March 14, 1933) is an English actor, producer, and author. He has appeared in more than 130 films in a career spanning 70 years and is considered a British film icon. Known for his cockney accent, Caine was born in South London, where during his... read more
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 - September 9, 2024) was an American actor known for his film roles and his work in theater. He was one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985 and was honored with the... read more
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 - September 9, 2024) was an American actor known for his film roles and his work in theater. He was one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985 and was honored with the... read more
Christopher Reeve
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor who played DC comic book superhero Superman, beginning with the acclaimed 1978 film Superman, for which he won a BAFTA Award. He reprised the role in three sequels released in 1980, 1983, and 1987. Reeve later became an advocate for spinal cord injury... read more
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was an American actor who played DC comic book superhero Superman, beginning with the acclaimed 1978 film Superman, for which he won a BAFTA Award. He reprised the role in three sequels released in 1980, 1983, and 1987. Reeve later became an advocate for spinal cord injury... read more
Harvey Keitel
Harvey Keitel is an American actor and producer. An Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominee, he has appeared in films such as Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, Ridley Scott's The Duellists and Thelma & Louise, Peter Yates' Mother, Jugs & Speed, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp... read more
Harvey Keitel is an American actor and producer. An Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominee, he has appeared in films such as Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, Ridley Scott's The Duellists and Thelma & Louise, Peter Yates' Mother, Jugs & Speed, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp... read more
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery (August 25, 1930 - October 31, 2020) was a Scottish actor and producer. He won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes. He was best known for playing James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983, as well as for roles such as Jim Malone in The Untouchables and... read more
Sir Thomas Sean Connery (August 25, 1930 - October 31, 2020) was a Scottish actor and producer. He won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes. He was best known for playing James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983, as well as for roles such as Jim Malone in The Untouchables and... read more
Robert Duvall
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has been nominated for seven Academy Awards and seven Golden Globes and has received one BAFTA, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Emmy Award. His distinguished career includes iconic roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies... read more
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has been nominated for seven Academy Awards and seven Golden Globes and has received one BAFTA, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Emmy Award. His distinguished career includes iconic roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Tender Mercies... read more
Martin Sheen
Antonio Gerardo Estévez, known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He gained fame for his role as Captain Benjamin Willard in the film Apocalypse Now, which was released in 1979. Sheen is also well known for his portrayal of President Josiah Bartlet in the television series The West... read more
Antonio Gerardo Estévez, known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He gained fame for his role as Captain Benjamin Willard in the film Apocalypse Now, which was released in 1979. Sheen is also well known for his portrayal of President Josiah Bartlet in the television series The West... read more8Load More
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