Top 10 Actors With the Most Range

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most versatile actors Hollywood has ever seen. For this list, we’ll be looking at performers who have not only taken on a wide variety of roles, but who have managed to make every character they play feel true to life. Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments.

#10: Olivia Colman

This British star has delivered an array of memorable performances. With roots in sketch comedy, Colman became a household name in the UK as Sophie on “Peep Show.” Her other appearances include the sitcom “Beautiful People” and the action-comedy “Hot Fuzz.” But beyond these more humorous roles, Colman has made a name for herself in the realm of drama, namely as an abuse victim in “Tyrannosaur” and a detective in the crime drama “Broadchurch.” Colman’s ability to seamlessly transition between genres has earned her a number of awards and nominations, including an Oscar for her work in “The Favourite.”

#9: Willem Dafoe

While some of you may know him best as the Green Goblin, there’s a lot more to be found in Willem Dafoe’s repertoire. Yes, he has been renowned for his portrayals of villains; maybe it’s just his menacing aura that lends itself so well to that type. But scroll through Dafoe’s long career and you’ll find roles like a fatherly motel manager in “The Florida Project,” a troubled novelist in “The Fault in Our Stars,” and even Jesus of Nazareth in “The Last Temptation of Christ.” (And let’s not forget Gill in “Finding Nemo.”) Since his entrance into the film world, Dafoe has blown audiences away with his diversity.

#8: Philip Seymour Hoffman

This late actor certainly left his mark among the Hollywood greats. Before his untimely passing in 2014, Hoffman was widely praised for his unique way of embodying each character - adapting his movements, voice, and very presence in a way few other performers could. Many remember him for his more light-hearted roles in movies like “Along Came Polly” and “The Big Lebowski.” But you’re just as likely to have seen Hoffman in acclaimed action or drama pictures, not limited to “The Hunger Games” series and “Doubt.” In fact, it was Hoffman’s gripping portrayal of Truman Capote that helped him win an Academy Award.

#7: Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton has been called “the woman of a thousand otherworldly faces,” which aptly describes her sizable range. The London native has been adored by critics and audiences alike for her mastery of the craft. She’s been lauded for her knack for playing roles of various backgrounds, ages, and even gender identities. From a concerned mother in “We Need to Talk About Kevin” to a wacky funeral home owner in “The Dead Don’t Die” - oh, and not to mention the White Witch - Swinton has demonstrated an astonishing level of versatility that has placed her among the best.

#6: Heath Ledger

Ledger may have tragically lost his life in 2008, but there’s no arguing that he left a superb legacy behind. Even before his monumental execution of the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” Ledger had long been known as one of Hollywood’s most multifaceted performers. His breakout role in “10 Things I Hate About You” secured him a “heartthrob” status, but he’d go on to further showcase his skill in films like “The Patriot,” “Lords of Dogtown,” “Brokeback Mountain,” and “Candy.” Ledger could influence all kinds of reactions from moviegoers, from sympathy and compassion to disgust and fear. Rest easy, Heathy; Hollywood will never be able to replace you.

#5: Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett brings her trademark grace to every film, even when she’s almost unrecognizable - which is often the case. Since her debut in the 1990s, Blanchett has wowed audiences with her vast scope of characters, from heroines to femme fatales and beyond. She’s also earned praise for her portrayal of real-life figures like Katharine Hepburn, Queen Elizabeth, and - believe it or not - Bob Dylan. No matter what hat this Aussie actor wears, she steps flawlessly into the part and makes it entirely her own. Blanchett’s work has garnered a large number of accolades, not limited to two Academy Awards.

#4: Christian Bale

While it’s true that people loved him as Batman, you'd be surprised at the variety within the rest of Bale’s resume. The English actor began his career at an early age, and even as young as 10, he was impressing audiences with his adaptability. Bale has been noted for dramatically changing his appearance for roles, losing and gaining weight on command to best embody each character. But beyond just adjusting his physique, Bale - a prime example of a method actor - has shown an unparalleled ability to not just portray characters, but become them. His prowess can be viewed across a plethora of movies, from “American Psycho” and “The Machinist” to “Little Women” and even “Pocahontas” (bet you didn’t know that one!).

#3: Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman’s skill is nothing short of legendary. He’s a classically-trained actor who’s been known to conduct thorough research for his roles, as well as maintain a devotion to sincerity. And anyone who’s seen him onscreen knows how well this has paid off! Oldman’s career has included gritty dramas, fantasy epics, and an assortment of other types of films set in various places and time periods. We’ve seen Oldman be a gangster, a corrupt DEA agent, a prisoner of Azkaban, Winston Churchill, Dracula, and the Devil - among his myriad additional roles. And regardless of the piece he’s in, Oldman consistently gives a remarkably genuine performance. (So why did it take him so darn long to win an Oscar?)

#2: Daniel Day-Lewis

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated actor than Daniel Day-Lewis. Very few performers have come close to Day-Lewis’s famously immersive style. He was known to consistently jeopardize his health and well-being for the sake of his performance. What’s more, he didn’t save this intensive approach for just one type of part. Whether he was portraying an Irish quadriplegic, a boxer, Abraham Lincoln, or someone in between, Day-Lewis had an exceptional way of capturing each character’s unique voice and mannerisms. His legendary range culminated in a record three Academy Award wins for Best Actor. We can only hope his retirement isn’t permanent.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Leonardo DiCaprio

This Cinematic Virtuoso Has Been Dominating the Big Screen since the Early ‘90s

Viola Davis

Her Performances Have Made Her One of Few Thespians to Receive All Four Major Acting Awards

Robin Williams

Nobody Could Crack Us up and Break Our Hearts Quite like He Could

Toni Colette

Sure, She’s Played a Lot of Moms - But That’s Not All!

Charlize Theron

This South African Bombshell Completely Transformed Herself for “Monster”

#1: Meryl Streep

Even if you’re not a film buff, you’ve probably heard of Meryl Streep. In fact, some might say that the very name “Meryl Streep” is synonymous with “cinematic excellence.” First entering the acting world over four decades ago, Streep remains a force to be reckoned with, consistently proving us wrong when we think she can’t get any more versatile. She’s able to flawlessly adjust her appearance, voice, and mannerisms to emulate pretty much anyone. Streep has been said to bring a wide range of characters to life more aptly than anyone else in the industry ever has. Here’s to you, Meryl Streep: the reigning Queen of Hollywood.