Top 10 Best Actors of the 1980s
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his roles in Splash, Big, Turner & Hooch, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, You've Got Mail, The Green Mile, the Toy Story Franchise, Cast Away, The Da Vinci Code, Captain Phillips,... read more The Money Pit, Big, and Punchline, not to mention Turner & Hooch. Great actor, my favorite!
Such pure and innocent performances. So easy to love.
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV is an American actor and producer. He has received various accolades for his work, including three Golden Globe Awards and three nominations for Academy Awards. He is one of the highest-paid actors in the world. I love The Color of Money and Top Gun. He's a great actor, one of the best of all time.
The liveliest of them all. He played a big part in making the 80s awesome.
Endless Love (1981), Taps (1981), The Outsiders (1983), Losin' It (1983), Risky Business (1983), All the Right Moves (1983), Legend (1985), Top Gun (1986), The Color of Money (1986), Cocktail (1988), Rain Man (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989).
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician... read more Classics:
Conan the Barbarian (1982), The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), Predator (1987).
Above average:
Raw Deal (1986), The Running Man (1987), Red Heat (1988), Twins (1988).
He built the road that others just used to get to the top.
Seriously, everyone who lived in that era knows Arnold was the action king of the 80s.
With the two Terminator movies, he achieved superstar status.
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 epic space opera trilogy and the titular character of the Indiana Jones film series. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Blade Runner are just a few outstanding movies Harrison Ford ruled in.
An absolute gem of an actor, as well as an icon of the 80s. So handsome, talented, and laid back.
Come on, people, it's Harrison Ford!
Alfredo James "Al" (April 25, 1940) Pacino is an American actor and filmmaker. Pacino has had a career spanning more than five decades, during which time he has received numerous accolades and honors.
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer.He is best known for his roles as Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series and John Rambo in the First Blood/Rambo series. His most well-known films are primarily action movies.
He is also close... read more
Best action actor ever. His most badass look was in Cobra. I don't know why this movie is so underrated. Stallone all day, every day. I've watched each Rocky and Rambo movie about 100 times. He's my favorite actor, and by the way, he is still kicking ass in his 70s.
He is the best in the world. Tom Cruise is nothing. Stallone is the champ, and he will always be the champ in Hollywood.
Nighthawks (1981), Victory (1981), Rocky III (1982), First Blood (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rocky IV (1985), Cobra (1986), Over the Top (1987), Rambo III (1988), Tango & Cash (1989), Lock Up (1989).
John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American actor and filmmaker, who has performed for over 60 years. Nicholson is known for playing a wide range of starring or supporting roles, including satirical comedy, romance and dark portrayals of antiheroes and psychopathic characters. In many... read more Stunning intensity and versatility.
The Shining (1980), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Reds (1981), The Border (1982), Terms of Endearment (1983), Prizzi's Honor (1985), Heartburn (1986), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Broadcast News (1987), Ironweed (1987), Batman (1989).
Michael Andrew Fox, known as Michael J. Fox, is a Canadian-American actor, author, producer, and activist. Michael is best known for his roles as Marty McFly, from the Back to the Future trilogy and Alex P Keaton, from Family Ties. Okay, this is the best actor of the 80s. He worked so hard to get to where he was, and he made it! You probably don't know, but he was in America for a little while, starving! He needed to get on Family Ties, and he did! He knew he had what it took! And he's hot, not to mention.
I absolutely LOVE Michael J. Fox! From Family Ties to Teen Wolf to Back to the Future, he is absolutely iconic. Michael is adorably cute and sexy in a really adorable way! What an absolutely talented actor. Love him!
He should be at the top. He is a great actor and fits into many different roles well. Back to the Future, The Secret of My Success, Bright Lights, Big City, and Casualties of War are a few examples. Not to mention Family Ties or Spin City.
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
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He first gained exposure on Saturday Night Live, for which he earned his first Emmy Award and later went on to star in comedy films, including Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Scrooged, What... read more An American legend, a treasure.
The Newcomers
Yes! Matt deserves a spot among the best 80s actors!
Michael Connell Biehn is an American actor. He is primarily known for his military roles in science fiction films directed by James Cameron. Hog Wild (1980), The Fan (1981), The Lords of Discipline (1983), The Terminator (1984), Deadly Intentions (1985), Aliens (1986), Rampage (1987), The Seventh Sign (1988), In a Shallow Grave (1988), The Abyss (1989).
Emilio Estevez was born on May 12, 1962, to Ramon Esteves, better known to the world as Martin Sheen, and to his wife, Janet Templeton. He is oldest 4 children, and among his 3 younger siblings is Carlos Esteves, better known the to the world as Charlie Sheen... 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 Once Upon a Time in America, Raging Bull, The Untouchables - what more do you want?
Raging Bull (1980), True Confessions (1981), The King of Comedy (1982), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Falling in Love (1984), Brazil (1985), The Mission (1986), Angel Heart (1987), The Untouchables (1987), Midnight Run (1988), Jacknife (1989), We're No Angels (1989).
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American comedian, actor, writer, singer, and producer. Murphy was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984. So funny, a breath of fresh air in the 80s.
Matthew Broderick (born March 21, 1962) is an American actor and singer known for his work in film, television, and theater.He gained early recognition for his role in WarGames (1983), in which he played a teenage hacker who inadvertently triggers a potential nuclear crisis. He also starred... read more
So laid back and accommodating to others, the viewers, and life itself. He got along effortlessly with everything - smooth!
River Jude Phoenix, born River Jude Bottom (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an American actor, musician, and activist. He was the older brother of Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix and Summer Phoenix. He is very underrated but should be remembered by many in today's society. Not only were his natural acting abilities inspiring, but he also cared deeply about everything. He was very environmentally friendly, a strict and committed vegan, and supportive of homosexuals even in the 80s and 90s. I love him so much, and words can't describe how inspiring he is to me and many other people. RIP, sweet River Jude Phoenix.
The greatest young actor of all time, River brought so much soul and emotion to his performances. His role as Chris Chambers in Stand By Me is one of the most beautiful performances in any film. River was a beautiful person inside and out, and his death was such an enormous loss. He is truly and deeply missed.
Daniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, musician, businessman and filmmaker. He was an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on Saturday Night Live.
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. Tootsie (1982), Death of a Salesman (1985), Ishtar (1987), Rain Man (1988), Family Business (1989).
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. He garnered fame after appearing in such films as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. He was really beautiful and talented.
Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American actor and producer. His career includes a diverse range of films in both independent and blockbuster genres, for which he has received a number of accolades both competitive and honorary. It's My Turn (1980), The Star Chamber (1983), Romancing the Stone (1984), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), A Chorus Line (1985), Fatal Attraction (1987), Wall Street (1987), Black Rain (1989), The War of the Roses (1989).
Tommy makes everyone's day and has worked so hard to get where he is.
I love him so much.
The boy next door. St. Elmo's Fire.
Walter Bruce Willis, known professionally as Bruce Willis, is a retired American actor, producer, and singer.