Top 10 Best Mob Actors
Many actors have portrayed mobsters in film and television. Here are the top 10.
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. Vito's perfect blend of commanding, imposing, yet soothing and analytical nature makes him unforgettable, even 40 years later.
The star in the gangster genre.
HELLO!? He made The Godfather what it is.
Michael Søren Madsen (born September 25, 1958) is an American actor, producer, director, writer, poet and photographer. He starred in feature films including Thelma & Louise, Reservoir Dogs, Wyatt Earp, Free Willy, Species, Donnie Brasco, Sin City, Kill Bill and The Hateful Eight. He guest starred... read more
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. Hands down, he has an amazing performance. Scarface, The Godfather, Carlito's Way.
Maybe not the most badass. Certainly the most credible boss in movies.
You should watch the movies Scarface, The Godfather, and Carlito's Way.
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 He did a great job and won an Oscar for Godfather Part 2 and was in multiple other gangster films such as Goodfellas, Casino, and The Untouchables.
Scorsese is king of the gangster film, and De Niro is his go-to man. His killer role in The Godfather Part 2 doesn't hurt either.
Robert De Niro was a very good actor. If I ever made a movie in his time, there is no doubt he would be the main character.
The Newcomers
Joseph Frank "Joe" Pesci is an Italian-American actor, comedian and musician, known for playing tough, volatile characters, in a variety of genres. Some great actors are playing mobsters on this list, but I have to say, I think Joe Pesci is the greatest of all time. Joe is the only actor that really scares the hell out of me.
The epitome of a gangster. If I were to say to someone, 'that mob/gangster actor,' I'd put my money on most people thinking of Joe Pesci.
This man bears the demeanor of a gangster - definitely one of the best tough-guy actors of all time.
James John Gandolfini (September 18, 1961 - June 19, 2013) was an American actor.He was best known for his portrayal of Tony Soprano, the Italian-American Mafia crime boss in HBO's television series The Sopranos (1999-2007). For this role, he won three Primetime Emmy Awards, five Screen Actors... read more
You might argue and say he was not the best, but if you watch The Sopranos from day one and watch Tony develop, it would be impossible to name a better tough guy. He was the bear. He didn't just give orders. He was it. He could kill with his bare hands. Watching him drive through Jersey in the opening credits, smoking a big cigar, it doesn't get better.
From him being so true on camera as Tony, so believable, he did for TV what The Godfather did for movies. He changed what we watched on TV for years. Let's also take into account that these other guys were in movies that last a few hours. The Godfather had three parts, three hours each, the most out of all the mob movies. The Sopranos has six long seasons spanned out over many years. He stuck with that part day in and day out, and millions of people waited for every second.
Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, filmmaker, musician, and author. Renowned for his "big" acting style, Oldman is one of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film, and television. He has received a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award:... read more Jackie Flannery in 'State of Grace'.
People forget about Raging Bull. Mob or connected.
Simply the greatest of all time!
The Sopranos, Casino, Goodfellas, Wise Guys
Raymond Allen Liotta (December 18, 1954 - May 26, 2022) was an American actor and producer. He was known for playing Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams (1989), Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990), and Tommy Vercetti in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)... read more Great performance in Goodfellas.
A Bronx Tale, Analyze That, Boss of Bosses
Mobsters, Analyze This, Wannabes, Mickey Blue Eyes
Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, comedian, director, and former firefighter. Buscemi has starred and supported in numerous successful Hollywood and indie films.
James Edmund Caan was an American actor. After early roles in films such as El Dorado, Caan came into prominence in the 1970s with significant roles in films such as Brian's Song, The Godfather, The Gambler, Funny Lady and A Bridge Too Far. The Godfather, Mickey Blue Eyes, This Thing of Ours
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 Donnie Brasco, Public Enemies, and now Black Mass
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 He played Jimmy Hoffa in Hoffa. Jimmy Hoffa was the leader of a notorious gang called the Teamsters.
The Sopranos, This Thing of Ours
Andrés Arturo García Menéndez, professionally known as Andy García, is a Cuban American actor and director. Always loved this guy.
Christopher Walken is an American actor of screen and stage who has appeared in more than 100 films and television shows.
Cillian Murphy is an Irish actor of stage and screen. Since making his debut in his home country in the late 1990s, Murphy has also become a presence in British and American cinemas noted by critics for his performances in a wide range of roles.