1. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the most respected and beloved American actors of all time. In 2002, Hanks starred in the hit film “Catch Me If You Can,” directed by Steven Spielberg and co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The same year, he also starred in the film “Road to Perdition,” for which he received critical acclaim for his performance.
Hanks continued his successful career throughout the 2000s with roles in popular films such as “The Terminal,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” In 2009, he played the lead role in “Angels & Demons,” a sequel to “The Da Vinci Code.”
In addition to his film work, Hanks also made his Broadway debut in 2009 in the play “Lucky Guy,” for which he received a Tony Award nomination.
Overall, Tom Hanks’s career in the 2000s demonstrated his versatility and talent as an actor, as he continued to take on challenging roles and deliver memorable performances in a wide range of films.
2. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is a highly respected American actor who has been active in the industry for over three decades. In 2001, he starred in the film “Training Day,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. This performance showcased Washington’s range and intensity as an actor, and cemented his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Throughout the 2000s, Washington continued to take on a variety of challenging roles in both film and theater. In 2002, he starred in the film “John Q,” in which he played a father fighting to save his son’s life. He also starred in the 2004 remake of “The Manchurian Candidate” and in the 2007 film “American Gangster.”
Washington also took on a number of notable theater roles in the 2000s, including a critically acclaimed turn in the Broadway production of “Julius Caesar” in 2005.
Overall, Denzel Washington’s work in the 2000s showcased his versatility and talent as an actor, as he continued to deliver powerful performances in a wide range of roles.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor who rose to fame in the 1990s, and continued to be one of the most sought-after actors in the 2000s. In 2002, he starred in the Martin Scorsese-directed film “Gangs of New York,” which was a critical and commercial success. He also starred in the film “Catch Me If You Can” the same year, in which he played a masterful con artist opposite Tom Hanks.
In 2004, DiCaprio took on one of his most challenging roles to date in “The Aviator,” in which he played Howard Hughes. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama.
Throughout the 2000s, DiCaprio continued to take on a variety of roles in both independent and blockbuster films. He starred in films such as “The Departed,” “Blood Diamond,” and “Inception,” all of which were critical and commercial successes.
Overall, Leonardo DiCaprio’s work in the 2000s demonstrated his range and versatility as an actor, as he continued to take on challenging and diverse roles that showcased his talent and dedication to his craft.
4. Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is a legendary American actor who has been active in the industry for over five decades. In the 2000s, he continued to deliver powerful performances in a variety of roles, cementing his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
In 2002, De Niro starred in the film “City by the Sea,” in which he played a New York City police detective investigating a murder case. He also starred in the 2006 film “The Good Shepherd,” in which he played a founding member of the CIA.
De Niro also made several appearances in comedies in the 2000s, including “Meet the Parents” and its sequels, in which he played a tough and overprotective father-in-law.
In addition to his work in film, De Niro also continued to be active in theater. In 2003, he directed the Broadway play “A Bronx Tale,” and in 2009, he starred in the Broadway revival of the play “The Boys in the Band.”
Overall, Robert De Niro’s work in the 2000s demonstrated his versatility and talent as an actor, as he continued to take on a wide range of roles and deliver powerful performances that captivated audiences.
5. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an iconic American actor who has been active in the industry for over five decades. In the 2000s, he continued to deliver outstanding performances in a variety of roles, cementing his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
In 2004, Freeman starred in the hit film “Million Dollar Baby,” directed by Clint Eastwood, in which he played a retired boxer who becomes a trainer and mentor to a young female boxer. The role earned him critical acclaim and his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Freeman also had memorable roles in several other films in the 2000s, including “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight,” and “The Bucket List.”
In addition to his film work, Freeman also lent his voice to several documentaries and worked on a number of charitable causes. He is an active supporter of education, environmental causes, and human rights, and in 2006, he founded the Grenada Relief Fund to help rebuild the Caribbean island nation after Hurricane Ivan.
Overall, Morgan Freeman’s work in the 2000s demonstrated his talent, versatility, and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
6. Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is an American actor who first rose to fame in the 1990s and continued to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry in the 2000s. In 2000, he starred in the hit film “Snatch,” in which he played a fast-talking Irish gypsy. He also starred in the 2004 film “Troy,” in which he played the legendary Greek warrior Achilles.
Pitt’s most notable role in the 2000s, however, was as the lead in the 2008 film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” The film, which was directed by David Fincher, earned Pitt critical acclaim and his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Throughout the 2000s, Pitt also continued to be active in humanitarian efforts. He co-founded the Make It Right Foundation in 2007 to help rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and he has been a vocal advocate for various environmental and social causes.
Overall, Brad Pitt’s work in the 2000s showcased his versatility and range as an actor, as well as his commitment to using his platform to make a positive impact on the world.
7. Al Pacino
Al Pacino is an American actor who has been active in the industry for over five decades. In the 2000s, he continued to deliver powerful performances in a variety of roles, cementing his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
In 2002, Pacino starred in the film “Insomnia,” in which he played a veteran detective investigating a murder case in a remote Alaskan town. The role earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Pacino also had memorable roles in several other films in the 2000s, including “The Recruit,” “Angels in America,” and “Ocean’s Thirteen.” In 2008, he starred in the film “Righteous Kill” alongside Robert De Niro.
In addition to his work in film, Pacino also continued to be active in theater. In 2003, he starred in the Broadway revival of the play “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” and in 2004, he directed and starred in a production of “Salome” in Los Angeles.
Overall, Al Pacino’s work in the 2000s demonstrated his talent and versatility as an actor, as well as his dedication to his craft both on screen and on stage.
8. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is an American actor who first rose to prominence in the 1980s and continued to be a leading figure in Hollywood throughout the 2000s. In the early 2000s, Depp starred in the blockbuster hit “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and spawned a successful franchise. He also starred in the films “Finding Neverland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” both of which received critical acclaim.
Depp’s performances in the 2000s also included a number of darker and more dramatic roles. He portrayed the lead character in the film “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a role which earned him a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. He also played a drug-addicted writer in the film “Blow,” and a reclusive author in “Secret Window.”
Throughout the 2000s, Depp also remained an influential and enigmatic figure in popular culture, known for his unique style and eccentric personal life. Despite controversy surrounding some of his personal choices, Depp remained one of the most popular and highly sought-after actors of the decade.
9. Will Smith
Will Smith is an American actor, producer, and rapper who first rose to fame in the 1990s with his hit television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” In the 2000s, he continued to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, starring in a number of successful films.
Smith’s most notable role in the 2000s was in the science fiction film “I, Robot,” in which he played a detective investigating a murder case involving a humanoid robot. He also starred in the biographical drama “Ali,” in which he played the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Other notable films in which Smith starred in the 2000s include “Hitch,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and the action comedy “Bad Boys II.” He also continued to produce films and television shows through his production company, Overbrook Entertainment.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Smith also remained active in philanthropy and social causes. He and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, which supports education and other social issues.
Overall, Will Smith’s work in the 2000s showcased his versatility as an actor and his commitment to using his platform for positive impact.
10. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is an American actor and producer who has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1970s. In the 2000s, he continued to deliver powerful performances in a variety of roles, establishing himself as one of the most versatile and iconic actors of his generation.
Jackson had several notable roles in the 2000s, including in the film “Unbreakable,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, in which he played a comic book store owner with a unique perspective on the world. He also played Mace Windu in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he portrayed the character Nick Fury in multiple films, becoming an integral part of the franchise.
In addition to his work in film, Jackson also continued to be active in theater and television. He appeared in the Broadway production of “The Mountaintop” in 2011 and starred in the television series “The Red Road” in 2014.
Throughout his career, Jackson has become known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence on screen. He has received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including an Academy Award nomination for his performance in “Pulp Fiction” and a BAFTA Award for his role in “Eve’s Bayou.”
Overall, Samuel L. Jackson’s work in the 2000s demonstrated his enduring talent and ability to captivate audiences with his performances.
