Top 10 Male Hollywood Actors of Today

The top 10 actor's whose careers were launched in the 80's bring smiles to the faces of men and woman alike. We all get just a little bit more excited when we hear of the latest film release for anyone of the actors featured on this list. From the 80's to now, the named 10 actors dominate our movie experiences and are expected to continue to do so for some time to come.

10. Tom Hanks has every genre there is in his filmography. He is best known for his comedic roles in films like Splash (1984) as Allen Bauer, The Money Pit (1986) as Walter Fielding, Jr., and the adorable Rick Gassko in Bachelor Party (1984). He has also delivered some of the silver screen most moving and emotionally stirring performances as seen in Philadelphia (1993) as Andrew Beckett, Saving Private Ryan (1998) as Captain John H. Miller, and Cast Away (2000) as Chuck Noland. With the sheer brilliance of characters like Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition (2002), Tom Hanks continues to be loved by all and remains one of Hollywood's most sought as actors of our time.

9. Sean Penn is an actor who has evolved over the decade like a fine wine. He is almost like a myth in that when he appears he is very present, but when the lights go down he retreats into a world we are never allowed into. This is very much his most endearing appeal. His most power film roles include The Falcon and the Snowman (1985) as Daulton Lee, Colors (1988) as Officer Danny McGavin, and Mystic River (2003) as Jimmy Markum each shows the diversity of his acting capability. The effortless delivery of his role as Paul Rivers in the acclaimed 21 Grams reminds us all of the incredible intensity that Sean Penn brings to each and every role and will continue to do so for decades come.

8. Denzel Wahsington as one of Hollywood's most renowned actors always bring greatness and tremendous presence to every one of his acclaimed roles. In films like Cry Freedom (1987) in which he portrays the real life Steve Biko and in Philadelphia (1993) as Joe Miller he shows the depth of his range and talent. Powerful performances in both Courage Under Fire (1996) as Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Serling and The Hurricane (1999) as Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter are some his most moving roles ever. His unforgettable depiction of a fallen from grace police officer in Training Day (2001) as Alonzo won him the honorable Oscar award. He can presently be seen in Tony Scott's Deja Vu (2006).

7. Nic Cage proves with time so does come true greatness as beheld in the stunning World Trade Center performance that told the heralding tale of triumph and survival in the face of America's worst terrorist disaster. The heartache felt by a nation came to vivid life in his well-received depiction. He has a style that only Nic Cage can bring to each role. Some of his memorable roles include Moonstruck (1987) as Ronny Cammareri, Wild at Heart (1990) as Sailor Ripley, and Leaving Las Vegas (1995) as Ben Sanderson,

6.Will Smith begin his successful in the TV hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It was breakthrough roles like Six Degrees of Separation (1993) as Paul and super cop Det. Mike Lowrey in Bad Boys I and II(1995/2003) that saw him fast become one of Hollywood's favorite leading men. Five of his films have grossed over the 100 million mark. His action packed performances include mega hits Independence Day (1996) as Captain Steven Hiller, Men in Black I and II (1997/2000) as James Edwards/Agent J (Jay)/"Slick". He provides powerful delivery as a man in the wrong place at the wrong time in Enemy of the State (1998) as Robert Clayton Dean. He can be seen in the newly released The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) as Chris Gardner in which he co-stars with son Jaden Smith.

5. George Clooney has the charmed rise and rise in Hollywood. With what appeared to a bit of a slow start in the acting profession soon became George Clooney taking Hollywood by the collar. Fresh off the mighty ER TV mega hit, George took on challenging role and worked with the likes of Quentin Tarantino From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) as Seth Geckoin and Nicole Kidman in The Peacemaker (1997) as Lt. Col. Thomas Devoe. He sizzled with Jennifer Lopez in Out Sight a role that saw him come into his own. His acclaimed performance in Syriana won him both the coveted Gloden Globe and Oscar awards in 2006.

4. Christian Bale became more known with his role in the breathtaking Empire of the Sun (1987) as Jim 'Jamie' Graham. His roles in the Little Women (1994) as Laurie and A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) as Demetrius made him more sought after by Hollywood then ever. His more breakthrough performances saw him play the psycho Patrick Batemanhe in American Psycho (2000) and the bad guy in Shaft (2000) as Walter Wade, Jr. His stunning performance in Batman Returns has solidified his Hollywood Movie Star status. With the sequel on the way, we can only expect even more excellence from this magnificent actor.

3. Johnny Depp has an esteemed filmography including some of the most off beat characters and performances brought to life by the brilliance of his immense talent. He mystified us all in Edward Scissorhands (1990) as Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow (1999) as Ichabod Crane. He delivered two of the most powerful performance as an undercover cop in too deep in Donnie Brasco (1997) as Donnie Brasco/Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone and the laid back drug dealer George Jung in Blow (2001). His appeal across all generation is witnessed in role like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) as Willy Wonka and Finding Neverland (2004) as Sir James Matthew Barrie. His most beloved performances see his playing the lovable Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean (2003 and 2006) of which the next installment is due out in 2007.

2. Tom Cruise is the action hero extraordinaire. With a break through role in Taps (1981) as Cadet Captain David Shawn his acting career was well on its way. He took to the skies as Maverick in Top Gun (1986) and blew us away in Days of Thunder (1990) as Cole Trickle. In A Few Good Men (1992) as Lt. Daniel Kaffee and Born on the Fourth of July (1989) as Ron Kovicgave, he gave power packed performances that provided insight into the intensity of his talent. With box office successes under his belt like Mission: Impossible I, II and III (1996/2000/2006) as Ethan Hunt, Minority Report (2002) as Chief John Anderton, and mega hit War of the Worlds (2005) as Ray Ferrier, Tom Cruise has more than made his mark on Hollywood and the world at large.

1.Brad Pitt has been the source of hysteria for years ever since his breakout role in Thelma & Louise (1991) as J.D. The hysteria was only taken to new heights in both True Romance (1993) as Floyd and Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994) as Louis de Pointe du Lac. He has set the screen alight with his role in Legends of the Fall in which played Tristan Ludow. He brought an unforgettable performance as the brooding and smoldering torture soul son of Col William Ludow. He can be seen in the newly released Babel in which he delivers his most raw emotional and powerful performance ever. It is this impeccable performance in Babel for which he has received a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination.

The longevity of these actors derives from the fact that they each bring their own uniqueness and a style that keeps us heading for the box office over and over again