For the past several decades, Britain has had the honor of producing actors of the highest caliber. Since the Renaissance, Britain has had a thriving theater history, which reached its zenith under the reign of the playwright William Shakespeare.
Time and time again, British actors have proven their mastery of playing American roles without any speculation of their true Britishness. It’s no wonder that countless American roles have been given to British actors because of their impressive ability to speak it naturally.
#10 Sean Bean
With the help of the edgy masculinity that Hollywood enjoys, Sean Bean excels at playing villains. Contrast that with the tragic romance he offered in small-screen movies “A Woman’s Guide To Adultery” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” and think of Miller, the Irish terrorist who battled Harrison Ford in Patriot Games, or Koster, the crook preying on Brittany Murphy in “Don’t Say A Word.
He played a morally dubious scientist in “The Island” alongside Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor, starred in “Flightplan” with Jodie Foster, and made an appearance in the sexual harassment drama “North Country” since then.
#9 Sacha Baron Cohen
British actor Sacha Baron Cohen became known for portraying imaginary characters, such as the illiterate and dim-witted television interviewer Ali G. Cohen was interested in performing arts from his boyhood. He then began doing brief stints as a fashion model.
His first love was acting. Therefore he applied to be a television reporter for “Channel 4” and was chosen immediately. On the British television program “The 11 O’Clock Show,” where he interviewed politicians, authors, and other notable figures, he later played the role of “Ali G,” a humorous aspiring rapper. His depiction of the part instantly made him renowned.
#8 Tom Hiddleston
A well-known English actor, producer, and musician is Tom William Hiddleston. He first gained notoriety for playing the supervillain “Loki,” the sinister brother of the titular character in the 2011 film “Thor.” (1) He later reprised the role in the films “The Avengers,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame,” “Thor: The Dark World,” and “Thor: Ragnarok.”
Earlier in his career, he appeared in well-known TV shows. He gradually began landing more significant roles, and after portraying “Loki” in the film “Thor,” he finally achieved the pinnacle of his career. Throughout his career, he has earned several accolades.
#7 Liam Neeson
— Liam Neeson (@_liamneeson_0) October 25, 2022
Liam John Neeson is an actor with an undeniable appeal, fantastic talent, adaptability, and calm forcefulness. He had his first leading part in “Darkman,” which was a bit of a letdown. His work in the Broadway revival of Anna Christie impressed Steven Spielberg so strongly that he cast him as Oskar Schindler in his seminal Holocaust drama, “Schindler’s List.
For his performance, Neeson garnered nominations for the Oscar and the British Academy Awards. He starred in movies like “Rob Roy” and “Michael Collins,” bringing him additional high-profile work. He played a Jedi master in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” which received mixed reviews but grossed millions at the box office.
#6 Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson, an English actor best known by his stage name Robert Pattinson, began his acting career at the age of 15 in a London theater. Since then, he has been in numerous films, TV shows, and plays and has gained popularity. In the 2015 fantasy film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” he made his acting debut as Cedric Diggory. Since then, he has been in numerous movies and quickly established himself as a successful actor.
#5 Damian Lewis
Get down to the Boston Arms in Tufnell Park tonight and buy one of these oh so silky shirts for Tuff4Ukraine charity gig @BritUkrAid @HotSquashLondon @IvyRecords @rowsieband @rachelcroftmusic @jackridesthesk1 pic.twitter.com/QxE7w8kPjP
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) September 30, 2022
In the American drama movie “Robinson Crusoe” from 1997, Damian Lewis first appeared. Later, he played Laertes in Jonathan Kent’s stage adaptation of “Hamlet.” Thanks to this performance, he caught the eye of renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In 2001, Spielberg cast him as Richard Winters in the military drama Band of Brothers. He also appeared in eight episodes of “Hearts and Bones” and two episodes of “Life Force” around this time.
#4 Michael Caine
Happy Xmas. pic.twitter.com/9NnCH7hnir
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) December 13, 2021
Actor Michael Caine is well-known for his cockney accent and affecting portrayals of characters. From humble beginnings, he became one of the most famous personalities in the English and American entertainment industry. Over a 60-year career, Caine has appeared in about 115 films and received countless nominations and accolades.
Today, he is recognized as the ninth highest-grossing celebrity and is considered a British film icon. Despite all the praise, he continues to be family-oriented and private and enjoys volunteering.
#3 Orlando Bloom
British actor Orlando Bloom is well-known for his parts in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchises. Although he started off playing supporting roles in movies, his portrayal of the elf prince Legolas in the trilogy film “Lord of the Rings” quickly propelled him to stardom.
He later made appearances in hit movies, including “Troy,” “New York, I Love You,” and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy, among others. He received praise for his performances and was given leading roles in movies like “Kingdom of Heaven.” Aside from major motion pictures, he also demonstrated an interest in theater and had his stage debut at London’s “Duke of York’s Theatre” in 2007.
#2 Charles Dance
Charles Dance is a well-known English actor, screenwriter, and director with an illustrious career spanning over 50 years. He has established a reputation for playing menacing villains or brash bureaucrats. (2) He has played interesting yet diverse characters, including a patrician figure, and is blessed with matinee idol features.
W. Griffith in “Good Morning, Babylon,” a cruel lawyer Tulkinghorn in “Bleak House” or a calculating and manipulative lord of Casterly Rock in HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” With “Ladies in Lavender,” he achieved noteworthy success as both a screenwriter and a director.
#1 Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant, one of the most gifted British actors, is a top performer in Hollywood. He was raised in a humble London household and received a scholarship to attend college. He joined the Oxford University Dramatic Society, which introduced him to the acting industry. While still a student, he made his acting debut in the movie “Privileged.”
He gave a good performance in the film, so he decided to pursue acting instead of getting a doctorate. With his performance in “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” he rose to popularity and received critical acclaim, catapulting his movie career to new heights with a string of hit productions. (3)
References
- Tanner Greenring, 57 British Actors Every Geek Will Recognize, retrieved from https://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/british-actors-you-see-in-absolutely-everything
- Tom Huddleston, 50 Great British actors: the list, retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/film/50-great-british-actors-the-list
- Web Post, Famous British Actors, retrieved from https://www.thefamouspeople.com/briton-actors.php