Top 10 Actors Who Can Play Good and Bad Guys

you never know when you can trust them

you never know when you can trust them you know I know me

you know I know me

you know I know me welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 actors who can play both good and bad

actors who can play both good and bad

actors who can play both good and bad guys you’ll be seeing a lot of changes

guys you’ll be seeing a lot of changes

guys you’ll be seeing a lot of changes around here these are the actors who are

around here these are the actors who are

around here these are the actors who are just as well known and loved for pulling

just as well known and loved for pulling

just as well known and loved for pulling off protagonist roles as they are for

off protagonist roles as they are for

off protagonist roles as they are for antagonist roles Papa’s got a brand new

antagonist roles Papa’s got a brand new

antagonist roles Papa’s got a brand new bag Oh

bag Oh

bag Oh number 10 John Travolta that’s cool baby

number 10 John Travolta that’s cool baby

number 10 John Travolta that’s cool baby I mean you know how it is rocking and

I mean you know how it is rocking and

I mean you know how it is rocking and Rodan what not pretending this guy may

Rodan what not pretending this guy may

Rodan what not pretending this guy may have played the cocky and cool Danny

have played the cocky and cool Danny

have played the cocky and cool Danny Zuko and grease and a smooth-talking

Zuko and grease and a smooth-talking

Zuko and grease and a smooth-talking angel and Michael remember what John and

angel and Michael remember what John and

angel and Michael remember what John and Paul said you possibly know the Beatles

Paul said you possibly know the Beatles

Paul said you possibly know the Beatles all you need is love but he’s also

all you need is love but he’s also

all you need is love but he’s also played an impressive portfolio of

played an impressive portfolio of

played an impressive portfolio of scoundrels thank you for that

scoundrels thank you for that

scoundrels thank you for that explanation although many of his bad guy

explanation although many of his bad guy

explanation although many of his bad guy performances weren’t huge box office

performances weren’t huge box office

performances weren’t huge box office successes Travolta stole the show in

successes Travolta stole the show in

successes Travolta stole the show in films like swordfish and The Punisher

his ability to merge a nice guy image

his ability to merge a nice guy image with a bad guy attitude makes him great

with a bad guy attitude makes him great

with a bad guy attitude makes him great to watch just check out pulp fiction if

to watch just check out pulp fiction if

to watch just check out pulp fiction if you need more proof you’re looking at

you need more proof you’re looking at

you need more proof you’re looking at something friend being my friend loca

something friend being my friend loca

something friend being my friend loca number 9 Charlize Theron if you’re brave

number 9 Charlize Theron if you’re brave

number 9 Charlize Theron if you’re brave enough to commit I will devote myself

enough to commit I will devote myself

enough to commit I will devote myself entirely to you this sexy and sensitive

entirely to you this sexy and sensitive

entirely to you this sexy and sensitive lady always plays characters that are

lady always plays characters that are

lady always plays characters that are brilliantly layered regardless of what

brilliantly layered regardless of what

brilliantly layered regardless of what end of the protagonists spectrum they’re

end of the protagonists spectrum they’re

end of the protagonists spectrum they’re on

for performances as Mary Ann Lomax in

for performances as Mary Ann Lomax in the devil’s advocate and as unstable

the devil’s advocate and as unstable

the devil’s advocate and as unstable real-life vigilante prostitute Aileen

real-life vigilante prostitute Aileen

real-life vigilante prostitute Aileen Wuornos in monster show us how she can

Wuornos in monster show us how she can

Wuornos in monster show us how she can successfully give each of her characters

successfully give each of her characters

successfully give each of her characters good or evil humanity we can be as

good or evil humanity we can be as

good or evil humanity we can be as different as we want to be but you can’t

different as we want to be but you can’t

different as we want to be but you can’t kill people says ooh that ability to

kill people says ooh that ability to

kill people says ooh that ability to accurately characterize means she’s just

accurately characterize means she’s just

accurately characterize means she’s just as entertaining playing an ogre as she

as entertaining playing an ogre as she

as entertaining playing an ogre as she is an angel number 8 samuel l.jackson I

is an angel number 8 samuel l.jackson I

is an angel number 8 samuel l.jackson I never oh I’m sorry did I break your

never oh I’m sorry did I break your

never oh I’m sorry did I break your concentration in every role he plays

concentration in every role he plays

concentration in every role he plays whether he’s benevolent or malevolent

whether he’s benevolent or malevolent

whether he’s benevolent or malevolent Jackson delivers a stern and outspoken

Jackson delivers a stern and outspoken

Jackson delivers a stern and outspoken aura that is instantly recognizable this

aura that is instantly recognizable this

aura that is instantly recognizable this presence is usually accompanied by a

presence is usually accompanied by a

presence is usually accompanied by a series of spine-chilling monologues what

series of spine-chilling monologues what

series of spine-chilling monologues what I lay my vengeance upon thee orsome

I lay my vengeance upon thee orsome

I lay my vengeance upon thee orsome outburst of pure well Jackson Ness I

outburst of pure well Jackson Ness I

outburst of pure well Jackson Ness I have had it with these mother snakes on

have had it with these mother snakes on

have had it with these mother snakes on this mother boy the passion he shows in

this mother boy the passion he shows in

this mother boy the passion he shows in each of his characters is so believable

each of his characters is so believable

each of his characters is so believable that we love him

that we love him

that we love him whatever disguise he’s wearing whether

whatever disguise he’s wearing whether

whatever disguise he’s wearing whether it’s a jheri curl and Pulp Fiction

it’s a jheri curl and Pulp Fiction

it’s a jheri curl and Pulp Fiction glasses in die hard or a wheelchair in

glasses in die hard or a wheelchair in

glasses in die hard or a wheelchair in unbreakable I hope you can keep it open

unbreakable I hope you can keep it open

unbreakable I hope you can keep it open number seven Liam Neeson but what I do

number seven Liam Neeson but what I do

number seven Liam Neeson but what I do have are a very particular set of skills

have are a very particular set of skills

have are a very particular set of skills from determined father and taken to the

from determined father and taken to the

from determined father and taken to the lightsaber wielding qui-gon jinn I shall

lightsaber wielding qui-gon jinn I shall

lightsaber wielding qui-gon jinn I shall do what I must to be one from the king

do what I must to be one from the king

do what I must to be one from the king of the gods and Clash of the Titans to

of the gods and Clash of the Titans to

of the gods and Clash of the Titans to Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins Neeson’s

Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins Neeson’s

Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins Neeson’s mute charm always intrigues if someone

mute charm always intrigues if someone

mute charm always intrigues if someone stands in the way of true justice you

stands in the way of true justice you

stands in the way of true justice you simply walk up the high level and stab

simply walk up the high level and stab

simply walk up the high level and stab them in the heart

them in the heart

them in the heart not only does his nonchalant manner

not only does his nonchalant manner

not only does his nonchalant manner allow him to pull off down-and-out

allow him to pull off down-and-out

allow him to pull off down-and-out antagonists and protagonists it also

antagonists and protagonists it also

antagonists and protagonists it also allows him to play both at once it was

allows him to play both at once it was

allows him to play both at once it was all business it wasn’t personal it was

all business it wasn’t personal it was

all business it wasn’t personal it was all personal to me take his portrayal of

all personal to me take his portrayal of

all personal to me take his portrayal of Oscar Schindler for example love or hate

Oscar Schindler for example love or hate

Oscar Schindler for example love or hate him Neeson gives him a sense of

him Neeson gives him a sense of

him Neeson gives him a sense of perplexing compassion it’s alright it’s

perplexing compassion it’s alright it’s

perplexing compassion it’s alright it’s not that kind of a case

number six meryl streep

number six meryl streep throat i don’t even know what is the

throat i don’t even know what is the

throat i don’t even know what is the trolled streep is brilliant at playing

trolled streep is brilliant at playing

trolled streep is brilliant at playing every role thrown her way with an easily

every role thrown her way with an easily

every role thrown her way with an easily identifiable and sometimes relatable

identifiable and sometimes relatable

identifiable and sometimes relatable feel whether she’s playing a youth weary

feel whether she’s playing a youth weary

feel whether she’s playing a youth weary lover and death becomes her the lovably

lover and death becomes her the lovably

lover and death becomes her the lovably musical dungaree wearing donna for mama

musical dungaree wearing donna for mama

musical dungaree wearing donna for mama mia or the vicious antagonist in The

mia or the vicious antagonist in The

mia or the vicious antagonist in The Devil Wears Prada and you have no style

Devil Wears Prada and you have no style

Devil Wears Prada and you have no style or sense of fashion I think that depends

or sense of fashion I think that depends

or sense of fashion I think that depends on what sure you know it wasn’t a

on what sure you know it wasn’t a

on what sure you know it wasn’t a question besides her playful turns as

question besides her playful turns as

question besides her playful turns as villains and her heroic turns as the

villains and her heroic turns as the

villains and her heroic turns as the good guy she’s also one hell of a good

good guy she’s also one hell of a good

good guy she’s also one hell of a good actor

actor

actor just watch Sophie’s Choice and you’ll

just watch Sophie’s Choice and you’ll

just watch Sophie’s Choice and you’ll see what we mean number five

see what we mean number five

see what we mean number five Gary Oldman yes my fault the word

Gary Oldman yes my fault the word

Gary Oldman yes my fault the word versatile doesn’t even cut it Oldman is

versatile doesn’t even cut it Oldman is

versatile doesn’t even cut it Oldman is the prime example of an actor who goes

the prime example of an actor who goes

the prime example of an actor who goes from one extreme to another

from one extreme to another

from one extreme to another we’ve all got both light and dark inside

we’ve all got both light and dark inside

we’ve all got both light and dark inside us although he’s played paternal

us although he’s played paternal

us although he’s played paternal characters like Batman’s friend on the

characters like Batman’s friend on the

characters like Batman’s friend on the force James Gordon and Harry Potter’s

force James Gordon and Harry Potter’s

force James Gordon and Harry Potter’s godfather Sirius Black his darker

godfather Sirius Black his darker

godfather Sirius Black his darker portfolio is also intriguing Oldman’s

portfolio is also intriguing Oldman’s

portfolio is also intriguing Oldman’s flexibility has allowed him to play

flexibility has allowed him to play

flexibility has allowed him to play several iconic crazies in films like

several iconic crazies in films like

several iconic crazies in films like Leon the professional true romance and

Leon the professional true romance and

Leon the professional true romance and of course the blood sucking Dracula he

of course the blood sucking Dracula he

of course the blood sucking Dracula he can even play a cheesy villain always

can even play a cheesy villain always

can even play a cheesy villain always efficient flamethrower

some may remember him as the little kid

some may remember him as the little kid and Empire of the Sun others from his

and Empire of the Sun others from his

and Empire of the Sun others from his croaky voice days as Batman he can’t

croaky voice days as Batman he can’t

croaky voice days as Batman he can’t recall as well as showing great

recall as well as showing great

recall as well as showing great dedication to his roles by losing masses

dedication to his roles by losing masses

dedication to his roles by losing masses of weight for films like The Machinist

of weight for films like The Machinist

of weight for films like The Machinist don’t I look okay

don’t I look okay

don’t I look okay Bale can also portray complex characters

Bale can also portray complex characters

Bale can also portray complex characters making you question your view of their

making you question your view of their

making you question your view of their likability right up until the very end

likability right up until the very end

likability right up until the very end o take schizophrenic ax wheeling Patrick

o take schizophrenic ax wheeling Patrick

o take schizophrenic ax wheeling Patrick Bateman for example charming and

Bateman for example charming and

Bateman for example charming and intelligent by day American Psycho by

intelligent by day American Psycho by

intelligent by day American Psycho by night tonight I just have to kill a lot

night tonight I just have to kill a lot

night tonight I just have to kill a lot of people um I’m not sure I’m gonna get

of people um I’m not sure I’m gonna get

of people um I’m not sure I’m gonna get away with it this time

away with it this time

away with it this time number three Leith ledger I have seen

number three Leith ledger I have seen

number three Leith ledger I have seen the new moon

the new moon

the new moon but not here we may only remember one

but not here we may only remember one

but not here we may only remember one movie where he was a villain but it made

movie where he was a villain but it made

movie where he was a villain but it made its mark in the Canon of cinema this

its mark in the Canon of cinema this

its mark in the Canon of cinema this town deserves a better classic I’m gonna

town deserves a better classic I’m gonna

town deserves a better classic I’m gonna give it over

give it over

give it over Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the

Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the

Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the Dark Knight showed the world that this

Dark Knight showed the world that this

Dark Knight showed the world that this handsome chap was dedicated to his art

handsome chap was dedicated to his art

handsome chap was dedicated to his art trading in his pearly whites for a

trading in his pearly whites for a

trading in his pearly whites for a Chelsea grin ledger applied his

Chelsea grin ledger applied his

Chelsea grin ledger applied his whimsical style to this comic-book

whimsical style to this comic-book

whimsical style to this comic-book psychopath high ultimately making us

psychopath high ultimately making us

psychopath high ultimately making us love all of his evil ways as much as his

love all of his evil ways as much as his

love all of his evil ways as much as his noble ones no I will not run midnight

noble ones no I will not run midnight

noble ones no I will not run midnight number 2 Denzel Washington red really

number 2 Denzel Washington red really

number 2 Denzel Washington red really don’t the unique thing about Zell is

don’t the unique thing about Zell is

don’t the unique thing about Zell is that no matter what character he’s

that no matter what character he’s

that no matter what character he’s playing he always brings his own dose of

playing he always brings his own dose of

playing he always brings his own dose of pizzazz to it whether it’s Malcolm X

pizzazz to it whether it’s Malcolm X

pizzazz to it whether it’s Malcolm X Alonzo Harris or American Gangster Frank

Alonzo Harris or American Gangster Frank

Alonzo Harris or American Gangster Frank Lucas stood you all shoot me the front

Lucas stood you all shoot me the front

Lucas stood you all shoot me the front everybody huh his ability to gel serious

everybody huh his ability to gel serious

everybody huh his ability to gel serious and touching acting with versatile anger

and touching acting with versatile anger

and touching acting with versatile anger means he can slide into any role with

means he can slide into any role with

means he can slide into any role with ease I fight in his war but you see he’s

ease I fight in his war but you see he’s

ease I fight in his war but you see he’s also a genius at translating these

also a genius at translating these

also a genius at translating these emotions into monologues King Kong ain’t

emotions into monologues King Kong ain’t

emotions into monologues King Kong ain’t got shit on me before we find out which

got shit on me before we find out which

got shit on me before we find out which two-faced actor took our top spot here

two-faced actor took our top spot here

two-faced actor took our top spot here are a few honorable mentions

I thought you were dead I’m not dead I’m

I thought you were dead I’m not dead I’m me if you come near Dan and again I will

me if you come near Dan and again I will

me if you come near Dan and again I will feed you you’re in heart Cameron and I

feed you you’re in heart Cameron and I

feed you you’re in heart Cameron and I must admit them at a bit of a quandary

must admit them at a bit of a quandary

must admit them at a bit of a quandary when it comes to you on one hand I

when it comes to you on one hand I

when it comes to you on one hand I despise slavery on the other hand I need

despise slavery on the other hand I need

despise slavery on the other hand I need your help if you’re not in a position to

your help if you’re not in a position to

your help if you’re not in a position to refuse all the better I wish the ring

refuse all the better I wish the ring

refuse all the better I wish the ring had never come to me I wish none of this

had never come to me I wish none of this

had never come to me I wish none of this had happened so do all live to see such

had happened so do all live to see such

had happened so do all live to see such times but that is not for them to decide

times but that is not for them to decide

times but that is not for them to decide number one Ian McKellen how’s the winter

number one Ian McKellen how’s the winter

number one Ian McKellen how’s the winter of our discontent made glorious summer

of our discontent made glorious summer

of our discontent made glorious summer when it comes to playing villains like

when it comes to playing villains like

when it comes to playing villains like Magneto or heroes like Gandalf the White

Magneto or heroes like Gandalf the White

Magneto or heroes like Gandalf the White an English accent certainly helps if

an English accent certainly helps if

an English accent certainly helps if you’re referring to the incident with

you’re referring to the incident with

you’re referring to the incident with the Dragon I was barely involved with

the Dragon I was barely involved with

the Dragon I was barely involved with grass roots in Shakespearean theatre

grass roots in Shakespearean theatre

grass roots in Shakespearean theatre roles McKellen has got characterization

roles McKellen has got characterization

roles McKellen has got characterization of each extreme down to a tee was ever a

of each extreme down to a tee was ever a

of each extreme down to a tee was ever a woman in this humour wound

woman in this humour wound

woman in this humour wound we’ll have a woman in this humor one

we’ll have a woman in this humor one

we’ll have a woman in this humor one I’ll have a but I’ll not keep how long

I’ll have a but I’ll not keep how long

I’ll have a but I’ll not keep how long forever and as we all know with

forever and as we all know with

forever and as we all know with Shakespeare anyone can be the villain

Shakespeare anyone can be the villain

Shakespeare anyone can be the villain not to heaven that habit had to have

not to heaven that habit had to have

not to heaven that habit had to have whether he’s delivering a soliloquy and

whether he’s delivering a soliloquy and

whether he’s delivering a soliloquy and Richard the third or wooing us with his

Richard the third or wooing us with his

Richard the third or wooing us with his wisdom in the Lord of the Rings McKellen

wisdom in the Lord of the Rings McKellen

wisdom in the Lord of the Rings McKellen is a joy

is a joy

is a joy you’re not between you could a dealer

you’re not between you could a dealer

you’re not between you could a dealer doesn’t judgment even the very wise got

doesn’t judgment even the very wise got

doesn’t judgment even the very wise got Co lens do you agree with our list no no

Co lens do you agree with our list no no

Co lens do you agree with our list no no no no no no well goody two-shoes do you

no no no no well goody two-shoes do you

no no no no well goody two-shoes do you think plays the best bad guy for more

think plays the best bad guy for more

think plays the best bad guy for more mind-boggling top 10s published daily be

mind-boggling top 10s published daily be

mind-boggling top 10s published daily be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

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