For some unfathomable reason, Tom Hanks is USA's favorite actor.

[UdoKier]

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=531

But the good news is, Tom Cruise is no longer even in the top ten.

I'd have to say Ed Harris is my personal favorite. Fave actress is Holly Hunter. Adorable.

[qnr]

1. You know, I honestly don't think I have a favorite actor or actress

For that matter, I don't particularly hate any of them either (at least to the extent that many people do). It's strange, I have strong opinions on /many/ things, but if a movie can keep me slightly entertained for a little while, I'm satisfied.

[BBradley]

2. Unfortunately America can't see the diverse acting ability of this man.

[UdoKier]

3. OMG yes.

What a chameleon. And almost as understated as William Shatner.

[Vidar]

13. Shatner understated??

[UdoKier]

16. I was being sarcastic...

as I assume the poster was being about Christopher Walken being "diverse" in his acting roles. He is awesome, but he does pretty much do variations on a theme.

[nine23]

8. And the man can DANCE!!!

Walken's one my favourite American actors, but I'm with the other poster here who stated s/he really didn't have any real "list" of actors. All I know is Tom Hanks/Cruise are not even on my radar at the moment. I don't dislike them, they just haven't done anything of late worth my movie nickel.

On the other hand, Christopher Walken has that rarest of qualities: HE'S A PLEASURE TO WATCH NO MATTER WHAT FILM HE'S IN. And he can dance up a storm! Fucking suave...

[wicket]

15. I love Christopher Walken

He's a freaking genius, the man can do anything. His films are great and I've always gotten a kick out of his Saturday Night Live appearances :)

[Downtown Hound]

17. Christopher Walken rocks!

One of the best actors of our time. He is simply one cool dude in every aspect.

[Neoma]

4. too many favs for me

but yes Tom hanks is good :)

[mahina]

5. He embodies the sweetness that was a part of our national character.

Plus he's one of us.

[UdoKier]

6. I'm glad he's a good dem.

But I get a bit tired of his sticking to the same kind of role, and also, I don't think he is a Jimmy Stewart by any means. I've seen interviews with him where he never let his castmates get a word in edgewise, and even answered Meg Ryan's questions for her. Every sentence seemed to be about HIM. He just strikes me as very self-absorbed.

He is a competent actor, I'll grant that, and I have enjoyed several of his roles, but I just don't see him as number one. Morgan Freeman? Now that's more like it. THAT is the goodness that represents America to me.

[mahina]

7. yep

:)

[ladjf]

9. Why are you being so hard on Tom? I think he does a great

job of portraying his characters.

[TyeDye75]

10. I really like Edward Norton

Fight Club
25th Hour
American History X

All great violent edgy and thought provoking films.

[Crankie Avalon]

11. Well, at least Johnny Depp is high up on this list (#4, wow!)...

...but John Wayne #7? :wow:

God bless America.:eyes:

[eek MD]

12. I've always been an Al Pacino fan myself

been a few years since he's done anything worthwile though......glad to see Depp so high on the list though.......

Also, what's with the lack of females on that list?...Only Julia Roberts??

[Vidar]

14. Hanks has turned into a superb actor, typically in lead roles.

Ed harris is quite good, but he and Holly Hunter are character actors.You seem to be disparaging lead actors. I agree tha Johnny Depp is excellent.

[Downtown Hound]

18. I like Tom Hanks

he might not take on roles that are what could be considered edgy or risky, but he is a very good actor and seems like a really nice guy in real life.

[Connie_Corleone]

19. Loved Tom Hanks since Bosom Buddies...

The show sucked, but Hanks was hilarious on that show.

[Kire]

20. Democrats like Tom Hanks

just thought I'd point that out

[Taverner]

27. Thats because Tom Hanks likes Democrats!

So much that he joined the party!

Seriously, he's a WW2 affectionado and despite what the wingnuts might tell you, WW2 was OUR war! At the time the Repubs wanted to deal with Hitler, since he seemed to have it together :eyes:

[mcscajun]

21. He's inoffensive both professionally and personally...

...that's why they like him. Favorite doesn't have to be anywhere near "Best".

Me...I prefer more 'edge' -- that's why I prefer Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, and Tommy Lee Jones.

[Xithras]

22. Tom is a lousy actor

Tom Hanks doesn't act. Acting is the art of assuming the role and personality of another. What Hanks does is play HIMSELF in every movie. From Bosom Buddies to Saving Private Ryan, Hanks always plays the same semi-comical, moderately introspective "everyman" character. That doesn't mean that he isn't good at what he does...John Wayne did essentially the same thing and is still famous today, long after his death, but there is no real creativity to his talent.

Think about it, could you EVER see Hanks in a role playing Hitler, giving a believable order to execute the Jews? Could you EVER see Hanks playing an autistic savant with even half of the believability that Hoffman pulled off in Rain Man? Would you be able to suspend your belief long enough to buy Hanks as an action movie hero?

Hanks reads lines well, but he doesn't act. He plays himself, and as long as America likes him, he'll continue to enjoy a great career out of that. But he'll never make the ranks of histories truly great actors.

[Bombtrack]

24. Didn't he play an idiot savant in Forrest Gump?

Not being the best actor or being overrated doesn't make you "a bad actor"

He's not a bad actor.

You want bad look at Paul Walker. Ok so maybe he's the worst of the modern leading men but still I don't think there are that many people who get to lead movies that are genuinely "bad actors". Same with Halle Berry. Tons of film-snob/critic wannabes call her a bad actress but she's just overrated. She's not bad.

[tjdee]

26. Oh yes they do. Their names are Jennifer Aniston, Keanu Reeves....

Headliners in films don't have to be talented, but of course it doesn't hurt. They headline because people will pay to see them, which is a lot different than headlining because of their talent.
They are charismatic, or...something.

Paul Walker IS horrible. Very, very horrible.

[Bombtrack]

23. You know every person who voted for John Wayne is a walking brainfart

He's been dead forever. What compells you to think of dead people when favorite actor comes to mind.

I probably would have said Harrison Ford or maybe Ed Norton.

[loudestchick]

25. The poll is about popularity...favorite...get it...there is no judgement

involved...it isn't about who is the best or most talented. 'Nuf said.:7

[WI_DEM]

28. Johnny Depp is moving on up

I have to hand it to John Wayne though. Dead for 25 years and still in the top ten.