TOP 20 BEST ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME

Naming the 20 best actors and actresses of all time is subjective and can vary greatly depending on personal preferences, critical acclaim, and various factors such as versatility, influence, and body of work. Here are 10 actors and 10 actresses who are widely considered among the greatest, along with reasons for their acclaim and their Oscar wins:

### Actors:

1. **Marlon Brando**
   - **Reason**: Known for his intense and immersive performances, Brando revolutionized acting with his method approach.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "On the Waterfront" (1954)
     - *Best Actor*: "The Godfather" (1972)

2. **Jack Nicholson**
   - **Reason**: Renowned for his versatility and iconic performances in a variety of genres.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)
     - *Best Actor*: "As Good as It Gets" (1997)
     - *Best Supporting Actor*: "Terms of Endearment" (1983)

3. **Daniel Day-Lewis**
   - **Reason**: Acclaimed for his commitment to roles and method acting.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "My Left Foot" (1989)
     - *Best Actor*: "There Will Be Blood" (2007)
     - *Best Actor*: "Lincoln" (2012)

4. **Robert De Niro**
   - **Reason**: Known for his intense and transformative roles.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "Raging Bull" (1980)
     - *Best Supporting Actor*: "The Godfather Part II" (1974)

5. **Al Pacino**
   - **Reason**: Celebrated for his powerful and memorable performances.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "Scent of a Woman" (1992)

6. **Tom Hanks**
   - **Reason**: Loved for his versatility and everyman appeal.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "Philadelphia" (1993)
     - *Best Actor*: "Forrest Gump" (1994)

7. **Dustin Hoffman**
   - **Reason**: Known for his ability to portray a wide range of characters.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979)
     - *Best Actor*: "Rain Man" (1988)

8. **Paul Newman**
   - **Reason**: Celebrated for his charismatic and nuanced performances.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "The Color of Money" (1986)

9. **Anthony Hopkins**
   - **Reason**: Known for his compelling and commanding screen presence.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actor*: "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991)
     - *Best Actor*: "The Father" (2020)

10. **Denzel Washington**
    - **Reason**: Praised for his powerful and intense performances.
    - **Oscars**:
      - *Best Supporting Actor*: "Glory" (1989)
      - *Best Actor*: "Training Day" (2001)

### Actresses:

1. **Meryl Streep**
   - **Reason**: Renowned for her versatility and range, considered one of the greatest actresses of all time.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Supporting Actress*: "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979)
     - *Best Actress*: "Sophie's Choice" (1982)
     - *Best Actress*: "The Iron Lady" (2011)

2. **Katharine Hepburn**
   - **Reason**: Holds the record for the most acting Oscars, known for her strong and independent characters.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "Morning Glory" (1933)
     - *Best Actress*: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967)
     - *Best Actress*: "The Lion in Winter" (1968)
     - *Best Actress*: "On Golden Pond" (1981)

3. **Ingrid Bergman**
   - **Reason**: Celebrated for her natural acting style and timeless beauty.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "Gaslight" (1944)
     - *Best Actress*: "Anastasia" (1956)
     - *Best Supporting Actress*: "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974)

4. **Bette Davis**
   - **Reason**: Known for her intense and bold performances, especially in dramatic roles.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "Dangerous" (1935)
     - *Best Actress*: "Jezebel" (1938)

5. **Elizabeth Taylor**
   - **Reason**: Famous for her stunning beauty and emotional depth in her roles.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "BUtterfield 8" (1960)
     - *Best Actress*: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966)

6. **Audrey Hepburn**
   - **Reason**: Beloved for her grace, charm, and iconic roles in classic films.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "Roman Holiday" (1953)

7. **Vivien Leigh**
   - **Reason**: Known for her unforgettable performances in some of the most iconic films.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "Gone with the Wind" (1939)
     - *Best Actress*: "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951)

8. **Cate Blanchett**
   - **Reason**: Acclaimed for her versatility and powerful performances across genres.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Supporting Actress*: "The Aviator" (2004)
     - *Best Actress*: "Blue Jasmine" (2013)

9. **Jodie Foster**
   - **Reason**: Celebrated for her intense and compelling performances.
   - **Oscars**:
     - *Best Actress*: "The Accused" (1988)
     - *Best Actress*: "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991)

10. **Frances McDormand**
    - **Reason**: Known for her strong, grounded, and authentic portrayals.
    - **Oscars**:
      - *Best Actress*: "Fargo" (1996)
      - *Best Actress*: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" (2017)
      - *Best Actress*: "Nomadland" (2020)