at the turn of the millennium the movies were big business and over the next 10
were big business and over the next 10
were big business and over the next 10 years these actors really made the
years these actors really made the
years these actors really made the industry their own welcome to
industry their own welcome to
industry their own welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 decade
down our picks for the top 10 decade
down our picks for the top 10 decade defining actors of the 2000s Kenda yes
defining actors of the 2000s Kenda yes
defining actors of the 2000s Kenda yes for our series on the top ten decade
for our series on the top ten decade
for our series on the top ten decade defining male actors / period we’ve made
defining male actors / period we’ve made
defining male actors / period we’ve made our choices based on a combination of
our choices based on a combination of
our choices based on a combination of their commercial success their
their commercial success their
their commercial success their box-office scores their productivity
box-office scores their productivity
box-office scores their productivity their awards and how they helped set the
their awards and how they helped set the
their awards and how they helped set the tone and raise the standard in Hollywood
tone and raise the standard in Hollywood
tone and raise the standard in Hollywood for the era neato Johnny hooyah way from
for the era neato Johnny hooyah way from
for the era neato Johnny hooyah way from my man crack number 10 Robert Downey jr.
my man crack number 10 Robert Downey jr.
my man crack number 10 Robert Downey jr. I am Iron Man
this man staged a rise back to
this man staged a rise back to superstardom across the first decade of
superstardom across the first decade of
superstardom across the first decade of this century in 2000 he was in and out
this century in 2000 he was in and out
this century in 2000 he was in and out of jail and Rehab battling addictions to
of jail and Rehab battling addictions to
of jail and Rehab battling addictions to all manner of substances let’s face it
all manner of substances let’s face it
all manner of substances let’s face it this is not the worst thing you’ve got
this is not the worst thing you’ve got
this is not the worst thing you’ve got me doing but by 2010 he was a leading
me doing but by 2010 he was a leading
me doing but by 2010 he was a leading face of the Marvel franchise and a
face of the Marvel franchise and a
face of the Marvel franchise and a blockbusting international hero
blockbusting international hero
blockbusting international hero oh man that’s kind of catchy it’s got a
oh man that’s kind of catchy it’s got a
oh man that’s kind of catchy it’s got a nice ring to it I mean it’s not
nice ring to it I mean it’s not
nice ring to it I mean it’s not technically after the suits a gold
technically after the suits a gold
technically after the suits a gold titanium alloy but it’s kind of
titanium alloy but it’s kind of
titanium alloy but it’s kind of evocative the imagery
evocative the imagery
evocative the imagery Downey Jr’s credentials have always been
Downey Jr’s credentials have always been
Downey Jr’s credentials have always been apparent after all he earned an Oscar
apparent after all he earned an Oscar
apparent after all he earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Charlie
nomination for his role as Charlie
nomination for his role as Charlie Chaplin in 1992 but this decade saw him
Chaplin in 1992 but this decade saw him
Chaplin in 1992 but this decade saw him really flourish first Iron Man then
really flourish first Iron Man then
really flourish first Iron Man then Tropic Thunder then Sherlock Holmes
Tropic Thunder then Sherlock Holmes
Tropic Thunder then Sherlock Holmes check the ground under the real windows
check the ground under the real windows
check the ground under the real windows for any signs of footprints knots around
for any signs of footprints knots around
for any signs of footprints knots around data data data I cannot make bricks
data data data I cannot make bricks
data data data I cannot make bricks without clay and now he’s an
without clay and now he’s an
without clay and now he’s an inspirational success man I don’t drop
inspirational success man I don’t drop
inspirational success man I don’t drop character till I’ve done a DVD
character till I’ve done a DVD
character till I’ve done a DVD commentary and uh this time around I
commentary and uh this time around I
commentary and uh this time around I know what I’m fighting for
know what I’m fighting for
know what I’m fighting for number 9 Russell Crowe at my signal
number 9 Russell Crowe at my signal
number 9 Russell Crowe at my signal unleash hell much of Russell Crowe
unleash hell much of Russell Crowe
unleash hell much of Russell Crowe success came in the early 2000s but he
success came in the early 2000s but he
success came in the early 2000s but he remained a much sought-after actor
remained a much sought-after actor
remained a much sought-after actor throughout the decade and into the next
throughout the decade and into the next
throughout the decade and into the next what am I now it was five in Gladiator
what am I now it was five in Gladiator
what am I now it was five in Gladiator his performance as Maximus gained
his performance as Maximus gained
his performance as Maximus gained maximum attention and he picked up the
maximum attention and he picked up the
maximum attention and he picked up the Academy Award for Best Actor why you not
Academy Award for Best Actor why you not
Academy Award for Best Actor why you not entertained the following year he
entertained the following year he
entertained the following year he starred in a slightly more subdued role
starred in a slightly more subdued role
starred in a slightly more subdued role as trouble genius John Nash and again
as trouble genius John Nash and again
as trouble genius John Nash and again received critical acclaim I don’t
received critical acclaim I don’t
received critical acclaim I don’t exactly know what I’m required to say or
exactly know what I’m required to say or
exactly know what I’m required to say or if you have intercourse with me he
if you have intercourse with me he
if you have intercourse with me he became a national hero was awarded the
became a national hero was awarded the
became a national hero was awarded the Australian centenary medal and is now
Australian centenary medal and is now
Australian centenary medal and is now honoured with a place on our top 10 my
honoured with a place on our top 10 my
honoured with a place on our top 10 my name is Maximus Decimus Meridius
name is Maximus Decimus Meridius
name is Maximus Decimus Meridius commander of the armies of the North
commander of the armies of the North
commander of the armies of the North General with the Felix legions loyal
General with the Felix legions loyal
General with the Felix legions loyal servant to the true Emperor Marcus
servant to the true Emperor Marcus
servant to the true Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Aurelius
Aurelius father to a murdered son husband to a
father to a murdered son husband to a
father to a murdered son husband to a murdered wife and I will have my
murdered wife and I will have my
murdered wife and I will have my vengeance squeeze in if you can left leg
vengeance squeeze in if you can left leg
vengeance squeeze in if you can left leg right leg your body will follow they
right leg your body will follow they
right leg your body will follow they call it walking number eight Jason
call it walking number eight Jason
call it walking number eight Jason Statham seatbelts this tough guy owes
Statham seatbelts this tough guy owes
Statham seatbelts this tough guy owes his big break to director Guy Ritchie
his big break to director Guy Ritchie
his big break to director Guy Ritchie who casts a ‘some first as bacon in Lock
who casts a ‘some first as bacon in Lock
who casts a ‘some first as bacon in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and then
Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and then
Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and then as Turkish in his violent flick snatch
the latter was released in 2000 and
the latter was released in 2000 and Statham soon became the face and voice
Statham soon became the face and voice
Statham soon became the face and voice of 21st century action movies tonight he
of 21st century action movies tonight he
of 21st century action movies tonight he appeared in the title role of the
appeared in the title role of the
appeared in the title role of the transporter three times took the lead in
transporter three times took the lead in
transporter three times took the lead in another Ritchie film revolver and even
another Ritchie film revolver and even
another Ritchie film revolver and even showed his funny side in crank he’s an
showed his funny side in crank he’s an
showed his funny side in crank he’s an all singing all dancing all beating us
all singing all dancing all beating us
all singing all dancing all beating us up action star
number seven ian mckellen I will bring
number seven ian mckellen I will bring you home old friend and I ask only one
you home old friend and I ask only one
you home old friend and I ask only one thing in return
don’t get in my way he’s one of the more
don’t get in my way he’s one of the more mature actors on our countdown and while
mature actors on our countdown and while
mature actors on our countdown and while it’s true that Ian McKellen’s career
it’s true that Ian McKellen’s career
it’s true that Ian McKellen’s career isn’t limited to the 2000s it certainly
isn’t limited to the 2000s it certainly
isn’t limited to the 2000s it certainly was a decade in which he excelled at the
was a decade in which he excelled at the
was a decade in which he excelled at the turn of the century he was cast as the
turn of the century he was cast as the
turn of the century he was cast as the villainous magneto in x-men you sure you
villainous magneto in x-men you sure you
villainous magneto in x-men you sure you saw what you saw and one year after that
saw what you saw and one year after that
saw what you saw and one year after that he appeared as heroic Gandalf in The
he appeared as heroic Gandalf in The
he appeared as heroic Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings
Lord of the Rings how are you foods switching between the
how are you foods switching between the
how are you foods switching between the very bad and the very good he did so
very bad and the very good he did so
very bad and the very good he did so with versatility style and apparent ease
number six seth rogen I’m in director
number six seth rogen I’m in director Judd Apatow and the frat pack group of
Judd Apatow and the frat pack group of
Judd Apatow and the frat pack group of actors that dominated comedy during the
actors that dominated comedy during the
actors that dominated comedy during the 2000s really pushed the genre into the
2000s really pushed the genre into the
2000s really pushed the genre into the future people like Steve Carell Paul
future people like Steve Carell Paul
future people like Steve Carell Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson deserved
Rudd and Owen Wilson deserved
Rudd and Owen Wilson deserved recognition but Seth Rogen did more than
recognition but Seth Rogen did more than
recognition but Seth Rogen did more than most to set the sophomoric standard all
most to set the sophomoric standard all
most to set the sophomoric standard all the time man like every day I wonder how
the time man like every day I wonder how
the time man like every day I wonder how you like me films like knocked up and
you like me films like knocked up and
you like me films like knocked up and pineapple Express took everyday
pineapple Express took everyday
pineapple Express took everyday characters and situations and turned
characters and situations and turned
characters and situations and turned them into side-splitting hilarity a
them into side-splitting hilarity a
them into side-splitting hilarity a policewoman and a guy another guy shot
policewoman and a guy another guy shot
policewoman and a guy another guy shot another guy in Asian guy in the window
another guy in Asian guy in the window
another guy in Asian guy in the window dead house super bad was also super good
dead house super bad was also super good
dead house super bad was also super good and just think it’s a movie Rogen wrote
and just think it’s a movie Rogen wrote
and just think it’s a movie Rogen wrote while in high school
while in high school
while in high school this guy’s a joking genius how say when
this guy’s a joking genius how say when
this guy’s a joking genius how say when height wise I’m gonna start up here just
height wise I’m gonna start up here just
height wise I’m gonna start up here just tell me what I’ll start in the bottom
tell me what I’ll start in the bottom
tell me what I’ll start in the bottom number five George Clooney now this is
number five George Clooney now this is
number five George Clooney now this is gonna be a little difficult so stay with
gonna be a little difficult so stay with
gonna be a little difficult so stay with me
me
me he made it onto this list through acting
he made it onto this list through acting
he made it onto this list through acting ability alone though in truth he’s an
ability alone though in truth he’s an
ability alone though in truth he’s an all-round cinema supremo George Clooney
all-round cinema supremo George Clooney
all-round cinema supremo George Clooney was a big name before this century but
was a big name before this century but
was a big name before this century but he became even bigger within the first
he became even bigger within the first
he became even bigger within the first few years of it I knew I was doing
few years of it I knew I was doing
few years of it I knew I was doing Ocean’s eleven gave him a lead role in a
Ocean’s eleven gave him a lead role in a
Ocean’s eleven gave him a lead role in a film that grossed four hundred and fifty
film that grossed four hundred and fifty
film that grossed four hundred and fifty million dollars and spawned two sequels
million dollars and spawned two sequels
million dollars and spawned two sequels we go 20 yeah Michael Clayton earned him
we go 20 yeah Michael Clayton earned him
we go 20 yeah Michael Clayton earned him an Oscar nomination and Syriana earned
an Oscar nomination and Syriana earned
an Oscar nomination and Syriana earned him an Oscar victory if anything happens
him an Oscar victory if anything happens
him an Oscar victory if anything happens to me or my family an accident and iqs
to me or my family an accident and iqs
to me or my family an accident and iqs Asian anything and first your son will
Asian anything and first your son will
Asian anything and first your son will disappear his body will never be found
disappear his body will never be found
disappear his body will never be found and your wife her body will never be
and your wife her body will never be
and your wife her body will never be found either now this is guaranteed he
found either now this is guaranteed he
found either now this is guaranteed he since branched out into writing
since branched out into writing
since branched out into writing directing producing everything he’s
directing producing everything he’s
directing producing everything he’s smooth sexy and hugely successful play
smooth sexy and hugely successful play
smooth sexy and hugely successful play long enough you never change the stakes
long enough you never change the stakes
long enough you never change the stakes the house takes you unless when that
the house takes you unless when that
the house takes you unless when that perfect hand comes along you bet big
perfect hand comes along you bet big
perfect hand comes along you bet big and then you take the house number for
and then you take the house number for
and then you take the house number for Will Ferrel oh yes that’s awesome
Will Ferrel oh yes that’s awesome
Will Ferrel oh yes that’s awesome the frat pack has already been featured
the frat pack has already been featured
the frat pack has already been featured on this list but they’re rowdiest
on this list but they’re rowdiest
on this list but they’re rowdiest representative has yet to be heard from
Will Ferrell’s impact on popular comedy
Will Ferrell’s impact on popular comedy movies cannot be understated I’m in a
movies cannot be understated I’m in a
movies cannot be understated I’m in a glass case of emotion is screaming
glass case of emotion is screaming
glass case of emotion is screaming screeching mad bad honest and outrageous
screeching mad bad honest and outrageous
screeching mad bad honest and outrageous brand of humor has set the tone for
brand of humor has set the tone for
brand of humor has set the tone for everyone else he’s someone who just
everyone else he’s someone who just
everyone else he’s someone who just can’t help being funny and he must be a
can’t help being funny and he must be a
can’t help being funny and he must be a director’s dream
after his Saturday Night Live days old
after his Saturday Night Live days old school set him in motion and elf
school set him in motion and elf
school set him in motion and elf anchorman and countless others snow
anchorman and countless others snow
anchorman and countless others snow balled this guy to stardom I love scotch
balled this guy to stardom I love scotch
balled this guy to stardom I love scotch scotch is got Scotty
scotch is got Scotty
scotch is got Scotty accept no imitations there is only one
accept no imitations there is only one
accept no imitations there is only one okay people tomorrow morning 10 a.m.
okay people tomorrow morning 10 a.m.
okay people tomorrow morning 10 a.m. Santa’s comin back number 3 Christian
Santa’s comin back number 3 Christian
Santa’s comin back number 3 Christian Bale I guess I’m pretty uh I mean I get
Bale I guess I’m pretty uh I mean I get
Bale I guess I’m pretty uh I mean I get some a pretty sick guy this man’s rise
some a pretty sick guy this man’s rise
some a pretty sick guy this man’s rise to the top has been far from easy don’t
to the top has been far from easy don’t
to the top has been far from easy don’t I look okay
I look okay
I look okay Christian Bale does not shy away from a
Christian Bale does not shy away from a
Christian Bale does not shy away from a role when he believes the film is good
role when he believes the film is good
role when he believes the film is good enough there any thinner you wouldn’t
enough there any thinner you wouldn’t
enough there any thinner you wouldn’t exist no he has great acting ability and
exist no he has great acting ability and
exist no he has great acting ability and has shown constant dedication to his
has shown constant dedication to his
has shown constant dedication to his characters there is an idea of a Patrick
characters there is an idea of a Patrick
characters there is an idea of a Patrick Bateman some kind of abstraction but
Bateman some kind of abstraction but
Bateman some kind of abstraction but there is no real me only an entity
there is no real me only an entity
there is no real me only an entity something illusory and though I can hide
something illusory and though I can hide
something illusory and though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand
my cold gaze and you can shake my hand
my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe
and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe
and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are
you can even sense our lifestyles are
you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable I simply am NOT
probably comparable I simply am NOT
probably comparable I simply am NOT there for American Psycho he spent
there for American Psycho he spent
there for American Psycho he spent months honing the Olympian physique of
months honing the Olympian physique of
months honing the Olympian physique of Patrick Bateman four years later he lost
Patrick Bateman four years later he lost
Patrick Bateman four years later he lost over 60 pounds within months for the
over 60 pounds within months for the
over 60 pounds within months for the machinist before gaining 100 pounds to
machinist before gaining 100 pounds to
machinist before gaining 100 pounds to play Batman he died here oh really
play Batman he died here oh really
play Batman he died here oh really father
father
father to see yourself don’t yell vanilla it’s
to see yourself don’t yell vanilla it’s
to see yourself don’t yell vanilla it’s a tremendous effort there are tremendous
a tremendous effort there are tremendous
a tremendous effort there are tremendous films and he’s a tremendous actor listen
films and he’s a tremendous actor listen
films and he’s a tremendous actor listen very very carefully I kill Paul Allen
and I like that been a number two Daniel
and I like that been a number two Daniel day-lewis on my challenge by the ancient
day-lewis on my challenge by the ancient
day-lewis on my challenge by the ancient laws of combat
laws of combat
laws of combat we are met at this chosen ground to
we are met at this chosen ground to
we are met at this chosen ground to settle for good nor who hold sway over
settle for good nor who hold sway over
settle for good nor who hold sway over the five points like Christian Bale
the five points like Christian Bale
the five points like Christian Bale Daniel day-lewis has done more than most
Daniel day-lewis has done more than most
Daniel day-lewis has done more than most to meet the demands of his characters an
to meet the demands of his characters an
to meet the demands of his characters an advocate of method acting in 2002 he
advocate of method acting in 2002 he
advocate of method acting in 2002 he lived the violent life of bill the
lived the violent life of bill the
lived the violent life of bill the butcher for Gangs of New York I’m New
butcher for Gangs of New York I’m New
butcher for Gangs of New York I’m New York don’t you never come in here
York don’t you never come in here
York don’t you never come in here empty-handed again and in 2007 he was
empty-handed again and in 2007 he was
empty-handed again and in 2007 he was oil prospector Daniel Plainview and
oil prospector Daniel Plainview and
oil prospector Daniel Plainview and there will be blood out of Old Men but
there will be blood out of Old Men but
there will be blood out of Old Men but beg for a chance to drill rods maybe one
beg for a chance to drill rods maybe one
beg for a chance to drill rods maybe one in 20 will be oilman the rest will be
in 20 will be oilman the rest will be
in 20 will be oilman the rest will be speculators such men trying to get
speculators such men trying to get
speculators such men trying to get between you and the oil men to get some
between you and the oil men to get some
between you and the oil men to get some of the money thought by rights come to
of the money thought by rights come to
of the money thought by rights come to you receiving numerous awards including
you receiving numerous awards including
you receiving numerous awards including an Oscar he barely came out of character
an Oscar he barely came out of character
an Oscar he barely came out of character for the duration of filming for Gangs of
for the duration of filming for Gangs of
for the duration of filming for Gangs of New York
New York
New York he almost refused treatment for
he almost refused treatment for
he almost refused treatment for pneumonia because he believed it was ill
pneumonia because he believed it was ill
pneumonia because he believed it was ill fitting for the period that’s hardcore
fitting for the period that’s hardcore
fitting for the period that’s hardcore stop trying
stop trying
stop trying sniveling ass stop your nonsense you
sniveling ass stop your nonsense you
sniveling ass stop your nonsense you just you afterbirth Eli though slithered
just you afterbirth Eli though slithered
just you afterbirth Eli though slithered out on your mother’s filth oh they
out on your mother’s filth oh they
out on your mother’s filth oh they should have put you in a glass door on a
should have put you in a glass door on a
should have put you in a glass door on a mantelpiece before we unveil our pick
mantelpiece before we unveil our pick
mantelpiece before we unveil our pick for decade defining actor of the 2000s
for decade defining actor of the 2000s
for decade defining actor of the 2000s here are a few honorable mentions Oh
burn it out okay all right no seriously
burn it out okay all right no seriously I think I’ve done I used to drag here
I think I’ve done I used to drag here
I think I’ve done I used to drag here back in high school
back in high school
back in high school that railroad-crossing up there is
that railroad-crossing up there is
that railroad-crossing up there is exactly a quarter mile away from here
exactly a quarter mile away from here
exactly a quarter mile away from here on green I’m going for but I shot a man
on green I’m going for but I shot a man
on green I’m going for but I shot a man in Reno just to watch em die if you’re
in Reno just to watch em die if you’re
in Reno just to watch em die if you’re good at something never do it for free I
good at something never do it for free I
good at something never do it for free I do not know what strength is my butt but
do not know what strength is my butt but
do not know what strength is my butt but I swear to you I will not let the White
I swear to you I will not let the White
I swear to you I will not let the White City number one Leonardo DiCaprio can
City number one Leonardo DiCaprio can
City number one Leonardo DiCaprio can you beat that the list of critically
you beat that the list of critically
you beat that the list of critically acclaimed box-office hits that he racked
acclaimed box-office hits that he racked
acclaimed box-office hits that he racked up within the first decade of the 2000s
up within the first decade of the 2000s
up within the first decade of the 2000s is more than most actors achieve in a
is more than most actors achieve in a
is more than most actors achieve in a lifetime I think so kicking things off
lifetime I think so kicking things off
lifetime I think so kicking things off with the beach he went on to play serial
with the beach he went on to play serial
with the beach he went on to play serial fraudster Frank Abagnale I’m a doctor
fraudster Frank Abagnale I’m a doctor
fraudster Frank Abagnale I’m a doctor and started a lasting partnership with
and started a lasting partnership with
and started a lasting partnership with Martin Scorsese in 2002 alright let’s
Martin Scorsese in 2002 alright let’s
Martin Scorsese in 2002 alright let’s kiss goodnight to that pretty on the
kiss goodnight to that pretty on the
kiss goodnight to that pretty on the face of yours
his portrayal of aviation pioneer Howard
his portrayal of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes won him a Golden Globe Award the
Hughes won him a Golden Globe Award the
Hughes won him a Golden Globe Award the departed earned him another nod and in
departed earned him another nod and in
departed earned him another nod and in 2008 he won even more acclaim for his
2008 he won even more acclaim for his
2008 he won even more acclaim for his role in Revolutionary Road actually it’s
role in Revolutionary Road actually it’s
role in Revolutionary Road actually it’s so well it’s sort of a stupid job really
so well it’s sort of a stupid job really
so well it’s sort of a stupid job really there’s nothing interesting about it at
there’s nothing interesting about it at
there’s nothing interesting about it at all he’s the modern-day movie star
all he’s the modern-day movie star
all he’s the modern-day movie star classical and cutting-edge and a role
classical and cutting-edge and a role
classical and cutting-edge and a role model for his generation it’s not the
model for his generation it’s not the
model for his generation it’s not the money it’s some well it’s more of a more
money it’s some well it’s more of a more
money it’s some well it’s more of a more of a personal thing I hope you
of a personal thing I hope you
of a personal thing I hope you understand do you agree with our list
understand do you agree with our list
understand do you agree with our list which to thousands actor do you think is
which to thousands actor do you think is
which to thousands actor do you think is the most iconic when you leave this
the most iconic when you leave this
the most iconic when you leave this building you will be endowed with all my
building you will be endowed with all my
building you will be endowed with all my powers for more classic top 10s
powers for more classic top 10s
powers for more classic top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com yeah that’s a heart
to watchmojo.com yeah that’s a heart
to watchmojo.com yeah that’s a heart honey
”
Be First to Comment