Favorite Actor of All Time

[Landifarne]

Daniel Day Lewis, Laurence Olivier, Charleton Heston, Gregory Peck, Richard Burton, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Peter O'Toole, Rex Harrison, Roberto Benigni

The real question is which of those gents is the most charismatic.

[eightbits]

Given the names you've all thrown out, I have a feeling I'm about to get internet reamed.

My favorite actor is Eric Stoltz. No matter how excellent or how crappy the movies are, his characters are consistently incredibly well played. Even his bit roles in excellent movies stand above many of the main characters. If his name is in the credits, it doesn't matter if the trailer is good or not. I know I can watch that movie and see some of the best acting to ever be shown on screen. Given all the suck bombs released lately, an individual doing excellent acting, even in a terrible movie, is worth paying to see.

[austinjimm]

James Garner

[TRP]

The more I over-think it, the more my runner-up moves up the chart.

Ensign Pulver
C.C. Baxter
Joe Clay
Professor Fate
George Kellerman (FTW!)
Felix Unger
Shelley Levene

[blackprinceofmuncie]

Since we are going more than 1, I'm going to throw George C. Scott into the mix.

[DungeonMonkey]

Actors I'd consider in addition to some of those named above: Lee Marvin, Max von Sydow, George Mason.

If I had to choose just one though, I'd probably pick one who's already been mentioned: Cary Grant.

[josh]

Some of my picks also double as awesome voices (so hats off to the previous James Earl Jones mentions)

John Huston - He's always going to be Gandalf's voice for me. I love Daniel Day-Lewis' homage of Huston in There Will Be Blood. His daughter, Angelica is likewise fantastic.

James Mason - I love the voice actor who did a James Mason tribute as Khyron in Robotech.

Since childhood: Harrison Ford

[Ghul]

Patrick Stewart. For seven years of STTNG his performances were stellar, even when plot and story were weak. But when the writing was strong and Picard had a feature role, I was left in awe of his ability.

[Landifarne]

OK, here's one:

'The Cooler King' (McQueen)...or...Cool Hand Luke (Newman) ?

[rogatny]

I tend to follow directors instead of actors. Can't say there is an actor that makes me automatically watch a movie. That said, some of my favorites:

Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Bob DeNiro, Michael Caine, Clint Eastwood

[Wheggi]

I really enjoyed DiNiro's work when he was younger, but now it feels like he's dialing it in. Raging Bull, Cape Fear, The Untouchables, Taxi Driver: all top shelf. HIs more recent work, not as much.

- Wheggi

[ThirstyStirge]

I really enjoyed DiNiro's work when he was younger, but now it feels like he's dialing it in. Raging Bull, Cape Fear, The Untouchables, Taxi Driver: all top shelf. HIs more recent work, not as much.

- Wheggi

I agree. He seems to have lately been in comedic/self-parody cruise-control.

[rogatny]

I agree. He seems to have lately been in comedic/self-parody cruise-control.

By and large, yes, ever since Analyze This and Meet the Parents. He's had a couple great roles, though. Silver Linings Playbook springs to mind.

[howandwhy99]

Just men? This is a really hard question. I like tons of answers so far...

How about Paul Muni or Alec Guinness?
And a sentimental favorite Gene Wilder

[Chainsaw]

Just men?

I'm comfortable using actor to refer to both men and women - a person who acts. There was no intent to exclude women.