The Greatest British Actors of All Time
This list of the greatest British actors of all time has been ranked by fans. What is it about British men that makes them so magnetic on the screen? Is it their sexy accents or distinguished demeanors? Whatever the case, there are many top British actors and great English actors who have achieved fame, success, and won many awards worldwide.
British actors like Daniel Day-Lewis and Ben Kingsley are considered to be some of the greatest actors of all time. This list includes British male actors from the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman are also popular British actors you will find on this list.
Who are your favorites among these best British actors? Vote up your favorite famous British actors below. Then check back to see if your beloved UK actors topped the list!
- 1England, London
- Credits (Film): Die Hard, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Alan Rickman, a beloved British actor with an unmistakable voice, won hearts for his roles as complex villains with a hidden humane quality, such as Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series. Tragically departed in 2016, he leaves behind a lasting impact on the acting world, having dazzled audiences with his distinctive talent.
- 2Burnley, Lancashire, England
- Credits (Film): The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, X-Men, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, X-Men: The Last Stand
Ian McKellen, renowned for his Shakespearean credentials, magnificently transformed into well-loved characters like Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, and Magneto in the X-Men series. His mesmerising talent for portraying immortal figures has etched his name in the pantheon of great British actors.
- 3Rotherhithe, London, England
- Credits (Film): The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Batman Begins, Inception, The Prestige
Michael Caine's illustrious career boasts of iconic characters from the stylish spy Harry Palmer to the loyal butler Alfred in The Dark Knight trilogy. Undeniably talented, Caine has earned two Academy Awards while charming the world with his Cockney accent and captivating on-screen presence.
- 4New Cross, London, England
- Credits (Film): The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Gary Oldman, hailed for his chameleonic prowess, has portrayed a wide array of characters from Dracula to Winston Churchill, earning him a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor. With his masterful screen performances, Oldman has firmly established himself as both a versatile and charismatic British actor.
- 5Margam, Port Talbot, Wales
- Credits (Film): The Silence of the Lambs, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Legends of the Fall
Anthony Hopkins, fearlessly delving into the chilling character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, haunts the realm of acting with an unparalleled intensity. Alongside his eerie intellect, he has graced the industry with roles that bear intricate emotional depth, cementing his position as a truly legendary British actor.
- 6London, England, UK
- Credits (Film): Star Trek Into Darkness, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, 12 Years a Slave, Atonement, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Benedict Cumberbatch's chiseled features and velvet voice have thrust him into the limelight, brilliantly portraying the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes and the complex mathematician Alan Turing. As a popular British actor, Cumberbatch continues to captivate audiences with his strong screen presence and unmistakable charisma.
