Top 10 Best Actors of the 90s
The 90s were a golden era for movies, packed with unforgettable performances that shaped the way we think about acting today. From blockbuster action heroes to intense dramatic leads, this decade saw some of the most talented actors dominate the big screen. You probably remember some of the most iconic roles, characters that made you laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of your seat. And behind each one was an actor who defined the era with their talent, dedication, and undeniable screen presence.Some actors became household names thanks to massive box office hits. Others built their reputations on critically acclaimed performances that still hold up today. It was a time when romantic comedies ruled, action movies were at their peak, and dramas delivered some of the most powerful moments in film history. They were winning Oscars, leading record-breaking franchises, and starring in films that are still watched and quoted today.
Now, it's your turn to decide which actors deserve to be remembered as the best of the decade. Cast your votes for the ones you think should be at the top.
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 Tom Hanks is an amazingly talented actor. Well-rounded and imaginative, he has done more for the film industry in the last few decades than many that have tried. I wonder if he just picks great roles, or does he make a movie great?
Tom Hanks was the best in Forrest Gump. He was just awesome. I enjoyed The Green Mile too. I think Tom Hanks is a really nice person and he should be right up there with his acting. He is truly awesome.
By far the most accomplished and diverse actor of the 90s. He was unbelievable in Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and Philadelphia. One of my favorite actors of all time.
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio (born November 11, 1974) is an American actor and film producer. Known for his work in biopics and period films, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. As of 2019, his films have grossed... read more I absolutely find Leonardo DiCaprio very talented and cute. He's now older, but he still has all that talent. He's a wonderful person in so many ways. The way he fights for the environment. I've watched some of his recent movies.
I love Leonardo DiCaprio! He's not only a wonderful actor, but he's a wonderful person as well. He's still just as charming and talented as he was back then, and I believe he will continue to wow the crowds for years to come.
"Leo, I love you since I saw Titanic, and now I've watched some of your movies and I can tell how talented you are." I think that Leo is the top one. He is hot and cute. He is the BEST.
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. A Few Good Men and Mission: Impossible were two of the greatest movies of the '90s. He made them very dramatic and interesting.
His personality exudes from any character he plays. It gives a feeling of optimism and joyfulness.
So many memorable performances, an iconic superstar, and very handsome too!
Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964) is a Canadian actor, director, producer, and musician. He gained fame for his starring role performances in several blockbuster films, including comedies from the Bill and Ted franchise. Maybe not as good as Tom Hanks, but definitely the best action star in the 90s with movies like Speed and The Matrix.
Lovable! I'm always going to vote for him. Amazing actor, lovely personality, not to mention his looks.
I love some of his movies. I think he killed Hamlet in Winnipeg.
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and producer. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three Academy Award nominations in acting categories and received three further Academy Award nominations, winning one, as producer under his... read more Brad Pitt is one of the best actors in history. He is just awesome. I really enjoyed Joe Black, Seven Years in Tibet, Sleepers, and my favorite, Legends of the Fall. He should be right up there at the top.
You can see what a great person he is and his beautiful wife, Angelina. If you go to New Orleans, you may see him helping the people affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Brad Pitt is a famous actor and deserves all of the credit he gets. He is terrific.
Absolutely very underrated! Love everything about him. Great guy, great actor!
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, producer, and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor... read more Johnny Depp is awesome. Such a great actor. Chooses his own roles. So many awesome films. He has to be one of the best!
How is it that this amazing actor/man/person is not number one? He is by far the best actor here. Then maybe Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Brendan Fraser, Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt. The others pretty much suck.
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, film producer and screenwriter. He is ranked among Forbes magazine's most bankable stars and is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins CBE is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He was born on December 31, 1937 in Margam, Wales. He is known for winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1992, and was nominated three additional times. Hopkins has also won three BAFTAs, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille... read more
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas,... read more Ace Ventura, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, The Truman Show... aside from The Grinch movie from 2000, I enjoy all of his movies, especially Liar Liar and The Cable Guy.
I just love his movies. He is the best. He should top this list.
He deserves to be in the top 5 at least.
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
The Rocky series revolutionized the world for the better, and I also love Creed.
Rocky was the greatest movie Sly ever played in. He's an awesome actor.
He's epic in every single way and more than deserves to be in front of Pierce Brosnan.
The Newcomers
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer, who also holds British and American citizenship.
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder, and former politician... read more Kindergarten Cop is definitely one of my favorite movies. I liked the first Terminator movie, but my favorite was the second Terminator with Linda Hamilton.
No one can act like him as a robot.
Walter Bruce Willis, known professionally as Bruce Willis, is a retired American actor, producer, and singer.
Kevin Spacey Fowler KBE (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor and producer. He began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, obtaining supporting roles in film and television. Spacey has received various accolades for his performances on stage and screen including two Academy Awards, a Tony... 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
Edward Harrison Norton is an American actor, filmmaker and activist. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards for his work in the films Primal Fear, American History X and Birdman. I was hesitant to see Primal Fear until I saw Norton's incredible performance. And Fight Club remains one of my favorite movies of all time. He does everything well, and that's pretty much a must for actors.
Most of the actors on this list are incredible, but Edward Norton should be higher up.
Surprised to see Edward this low. His performance in American History X was Oscar-worthy, and Fight Club was great.
As the first comment stated, I also wonder what he has been up to. I haven't seen him in many Hollywood movies since his heyday in the late 90s.
Pierce Brendan Brosnan is an Irish actor and film producer who after leaving comprehensive school at age 16, began training in commercial illustration. The perfect Bond for the 90s, and many other great performances outside of the franchise like The Thomas Crown Affair, Dante's Peak, and The Tailor of Panama.
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor, producer, and comedian. A member of the Baldwin family, he is the oldest of the four Baldwin brothers, all actors.
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American actor. He played Rick O'Connell in The Mummy trilogy, and is known for his comedy and fantasy leading roles in films, such as Encino Man, The Scout, George of the Jungle, Bedazzled, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Inkheart... read more
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, producer, businessman, former model, rapper, and songwriter.
Mel Colmcille Gerard Gibson AO is an American actor and filmmaker. He is best known for his action hero roles, namely his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films in the Mad Max post-apocalyptic action series, and as Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon buddy cop film series.
Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum is an American actor and musician. He has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of his era, Jurassic Park and Independence Day, as well as their respective sequels, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Independence Day: Resurgence.
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
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. River's voice is not dead yet, and it never will be.
River is honestly the best actor ever. Why the heck isn't he number one? He and Keanu are ICONS.
A man that was and still is truly amazing. He deserved so much more than what he was given.
Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received three Golden Globe awards, a Tony Award, and two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for the historical war drama film Glory and Best Actor for his role as a corrupt cop in the crime thriller Training Day.