Top 10 Pretentious Actors

Katy Perry’s former husband is famous for playing a stoner in comedies. This makes it all the more strange to see Russell Brand launch a YouTube series discussing politics and trashing the media. Of course, most of his beliefs are viewed as unconventional and a bit off, like when he compared Fox News to ISIS and urged the British not to vote. Considering he’s a former heroin and sex addict, it’s even harder for some fans to perceive him as an intellectual and not a buffoon.

There’s no denying that Russell Crowe is a great actor who has starred in some amazing films, like Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. However, that doesn’t excuse Crowe from being a complete jerk when he’s in public. Throughout his career, the actor has built a reputation of being rude, short tempered, and difficult to work with. An example of his attitude was the time he was arrested for assault for throwing a phone at a hotel employee in 2005. Yep, Russell Crowe is definitely someone who needs to learn to chill out.

James Franco has proven himself to be a bit of a renaissance man. He’s a versatile actor, university teacher, artist, poet and philanthropist – and he’s also been considered one of the sexiest men alive. So maybe it’s understandable that he might be a little full of himself from time to time. But still, it just seems like he has to be the best at everything to be satisfied. He also made a short film of himself making out with a mirror. You might be handsome, James, but you’re not the fairest of them all.

Johnny Depp is not on this list so much for his off-screen antics as he is for his on-screen ones. In pretty much every role he’s in, he’s playing the quirky but likable hero. That’s not to say we don’t love Sweeney Todd and Jack Sparrow, but his shtick has gotten a little stale by now. We get it, Johnny. You’re unique. Now maybe try starring in a movie that doesn’t require you to call attention to how strange you are.

Joaquin Phoenix was once considered one of the best and most respected actors in Hollywood. That all changed in 2009, when he had one of the most bizarre interviews ever with David Letterman, where he looked like he had gone completely insane. Phoenix revealed that the entire interview was a hoax and just a publicity stunt for his upcoming movie. Despite it being a prank, Phoenix garnered a reputation for being someone who took his work a little too seriously.

Alright, alright, alright: Matthew McConaughey has a lot to feel good about himself for. He’s a sex symbol and he has been getting almost every great role of late, which has made him one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood these days. However, from his roles in self-indulgent movies like Interstellar and The Wolf of Wall Street, to that cringe-inducing Lincoln car commercial, McConaughey seems a bit too satisfied with himself now. But hey, at least he’s not always running around shirtless and showing off his abs anymore. Or is he?

Between his Jesus/long-haired look, veganism, method acting, and emo music with 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto seems like he really wants you to know what a deep and great artist he is. And while he has shown that he has both acting and musical talent, it’s hard to take Leto seriously when you consider that he first became famous for starring in the teen drama My So-Called Life. Leto is definitely someone who needs to stop trying so hard.

We could easily make a top 10 list for all pretentious things Gwyneth Paltrow has said and done. From her referring to her divorce as a “conscious uncoupling” to saying things like “ I would rather die than let my kids eat Cup-a-soup”, and “I can’t pretend to be someone who makes $25,000 a year”, the former Mrs. Chris Martin has developed a reputation for being a spoiled princess who is obsessed with appearing perfect. And don’t get us started on her lifestyle newsletter, Goop.

Shia LaBeouf once seemed like a down to earth kid. He’s now turned into a lackluster actor and a great narcissist. To show how famous he is, Shia once wore a bag on his head with the words “I am not famous anymore” written on it to a movie premiere in Berlin. Then there are his motivational “Just Do it” videos on YouTube that are meant to inspire. Kind of hard to be inspired by a guy who was arrested for yelling obscenities while at a Broadway musical, wouldn’t you agree?

Before we reveal our top pick here are a few honorable or in this case dishonorable mentions:
- Evan Rachel Wood
- Nicolas Cage
- Katherine Heigl
- Steven Seagal

Now Sean Penn might be a great actor, but he also seems to think he could be great politician. At least, he’s certainly made it known that he’s got political views, and strong ones at that. Whether he’s calling for George Bush to be impeached, or writing to the creators of South Park about a message they were sending about voting, Penn has very often used his fame to impose his opinion on everyone else. Whether you agree or disagree with him, it’s hard not to find Sean Penn’s constant need to speak his mind pretentious.

Do you agree with our list? Who do you think is the most pretentious actor? For more entertaining top 10s published, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.