From Hollywood legends to modern icons, we're counting down the most influential and talented actors who have defined cinema over the last five decades. Join us as we explore the incredible careers of 50 performers who have shaped the film industry through their unforgettable performances.
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00:00You're my older brother, and I love you.
00:04But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again.
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most popular,
00:13culturally relevant, and or talented actors from the last five decades.
00:18Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.
00:2550. Halle Berry
00:28After starring in Boomerang, former Miss World contestant Halle Berry started to rise in
00:33Hollywood. She worked steadily through the 1990s in comedies, dramas, and even action films.
00:40In the early 2000s, the actress won Best Actress for her leading role in Monster's Ball.
00:55Along with her groundbreaking Oscar win, she starred in successful franchises like X-Men.
01:04More opportunities for major projects included a James Bond movie,
01:08Catwoman, and even John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum.
01:12Now, after this, we are less than even.
01:20From epic sci-fi like Cloud Atlas to her directorial work, the artist pushes the
01:26envelope in diverse narratives. All the while, Berry continues to bring her powerful presence
01:31to any type of movie.
01:33Too strong for you?
01:36I can learn to like it, if I have the time.
01:39How much time have you got?
01:42Until dawn.
01:4449. Charlize Theron
01:46She's recognized most for her stunning beauty, but the incomparable Charlize Theron has
01:51demonstrated time and time again that she's more than capable of carrying a film. In 2003,
01:58Theron landed her career-defining role as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster.
02:04Years later, I found out he died in a car accident. I was overjoyed. It was like God
02:09finally struck him down for all his evil. I loved it. Knowing you can't get away with
02:14your s**t forever. Sooner or later, it's gonna catch up with you.
02:20Since then, she's taken on iconic characters like Evil Queen Ravenna in Snow White and
02:25The Huntsman, and Imperator Furiosa in George Miller's Mad Max Fury Road.
02:39The actress has an innate ability to tap into the physical and emotional identity of a character.
02:44This is just one of the many reasons she's constantly fascinating to watch.
02:4948. Dustin Hoffman
02:51When he was cast as Ben Braddock in The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman became a star.
02:56The role allowed him to play comedic and serious moments with equal skill.
03:00Mrs. Ross, here we are. You got me into your house, you give me a drink, you put on music,
03:06now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours?
03:10So?
03:11Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me.
03:13He then went on a multi-decade run of impressive parts. He broke our hearts as Rizzo in Midnight
03:20Cowboy and kept us guessing as Carl Bernstein in the classic All the President's Men. In 1979,
03:26he starred in Kramer vs. Kramer, winning his first Oscar.
03:30My child was sick.
03:31Mr. Kramer, did you or did you not miss a deadline, yes or no?
03:34My son was sick.
03:35Mr. Kramer, answer the question.
03:37I'm trying to answer the question. It's not yes or no. I'm sitting there and-
03:40Mr. Kramer, yes or no?
03:41I had 104 temperature. He's lying there sweating. I go home to be with him.
03:46He went on to several more nominations, winning another Academy Award for his incredible turn
03:51in Rain Man. Some comedies let him expand his palette, like the Meyerowitz stories,
03:57New and Selected, and Wag the Dog. The performer doesn't skimp on his intense performances,
04:02regardless of the project.
04:04Number 47. Michelle Yeoh.
04:07This Malaysian actress made a name for herself in Hong Kong films. In martial arts movies,
04:12Michelle Yeoh excited fans alongside Jackie Chan and Cynthia Rothrock. She then starred in
04:18international hits like the James Bond adventure Tomorrow Never Dies.
04:21What are you-
04:23Give me that!
04:25Left, left, left!
04:27Turn right!
04:27Go left!
04:29Who's driving?
04:30By the start of the 2000s, she became even better known by audiences for the popular
04:34crouching tiger Hidden Dragon. Yeoh kept experimenting with various genre films,
04:39from Danny Boyle's Sunshine to the popular rom-com Crazy Rich Asians. She later became
04:45the first Asian woman to win Best Actress, earning the Oscar for the awe-inducing
04:50Everything Everywhere All at Once.
04:52Do you still want to do your party?
04:56We can do whatever we want.
04:58Number 46. Margot Robbie.
05:01Robbie came into the spotlight with The Wolf of Wall Street.
05:04That explains it then.
05:06Explains what?
05:07Explains you.
05:08Since then, she's taken on standout roles in Bombshell, Mary Queen of Scots,
05:12and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. One of her most recognized characters is, of course, Harley Quinn.
05:18It's honestly hard for us to see anyone else as the psychiatrist-turned-villain.
05:22And since her debut in Suicide Squad, she's let the world know that she is
05:26THE Harley. She brought the lovably insane character back in Birds of Prey,
05:31which she also produced, as well as James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
05:35Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Had to go to number two.
05:38Good to know.
05:39And let's not forget about her award-worthy performance as the titular figure skater in
05:43I, Tonya. Truly iconic.
05:46I'm just trying to, I'm trying to do the best with what I know how to,
05:49and you're giving me, it's like you're giving me a life sentence if you do that. You can't do that.
05:53Number 45. Morgan Freeman.
05:56You know him from his incredible voiceovers,
05:58but Morgan Freeman is a welcome piece of cinema history.
06:01This is a story of survival. A tale of life over death.
06:06But it's more than that, really. This is a story about love.
06:10Following appearances on television and stage, the actor became a movie star in the late 1980s.
06:16He was Oscar-nominated for his roles in Driving Miss Daisy,
06:19and one of his most iconic parts in The Shawshank Redemption.
06:23I find I'm so excited I can barely sit still and hold a thought in my head.
06:28I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel.
06:31A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.
06:36He finally won an Academy Award for Million Dollar Baby,
06:39re-teaming him with his Unforgiven director and co-star Clint Eastwood.
06:44Whether he's narrating March of the Penguins or playing God in Bruce Almighty,
06:48this performer brings a gravitas to everything.
06:51Now that's a prayer.
06:53Yeah.
06:55Yeah.
06:57It's good.
06:58It's good.
07:00It's good!
07:03I'm gonna get right on it.
07:05Number 44.
07:06Gary Oldman
07:07Since his breakout role as Sid Vicious in 1986,
07:11Gary Oldman has proven he's a true chameleon actor.
07:14Why do you need money?
07:16Well I don't know, little things around the house.
07:19What sort of little things?
07:20What are those bruises on your arm?
07:22I fell over.
07:23Leave him alone.
07:25Yes, leave me alone.
07:27This man is violent!
07:28He's been a vampire, a Gotham police commissioner, a wizard, and Winston Churchill,
07:34just to name a few.
07:35He's consistently morphed into compelling characters in several genres,
07:40but with his background in theater, drama is where he really thrives.
07:44Give him an emotional monologue or an eccentric personality and he's at home.
07:48It's a shame he didn't get his Oscar until 2018
07:51because he was clearly very deserving of the accolade.
07:55I say it is to wage war by sea, land, and air with all our might
08:03and with all the strength that God can give us.
08:07But we couldn't be happier for him.
08:10Number 43.
08:11Amy Adams
08:12For many of her early roles,
08:14Amy Adams showed audiences that she had a bright and engaging presence.
08:18Some people might remember her opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can.
08:23After impressive supporting roles,
08:25she made a major splash as the lead in Enchanted.
08:28Because you wear your favorite color just so heat can match your eyes.
08:34You plan a private picnic by the fire's glow.
08:40This heart will be yours forever.
08:43Something every day will show.
08:46That's how you know.
08:48Her bubbly character was popular enough to inspire a sequel.
08:52Adams also provided key roles in dramas such as Doubt and American Hustle,
08:56with the latter being one of two successful collaborations with David O. Russell.
09:00Her celebrated work in Arrival also allowed her to explore a sci-fi movie with an emotional center.
09:06On film and beyond, Adams manages to create densely packed characters.
09:11And it's unstoppable.
09:12It's kind of like you are.
09:18You're swimming.
09:20And you're poetry and all the other amazing things that you share with the world.
09:24Number 42
09:25Jennifer Lawrence
09:26As one of the youngest Oscar nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role,
09:30Jennifer Lawrence first gained praise for Winter's Bone.
09:34She soon became a household name as the heroic Katniss Everdeen
09:37in the widely successful Hunger Games franchise.
09:42I volunteer as tribute.
09:46At the time, Lawrence also had a prominent role in the X-Men film franchise as Raven,
09:51also known as Mystique.
09:53Her balance of vulnerability and strength made both characters cultural icons.
09:58Over the years, she's earned numerous award nominations for acting,
10:01including four Oscar nods.
10:04And at just 22, she won Best Actress for her role as the young widow Tiffany Maxwell
10:09in Silver Linings Playbook.
10:11I don't mind it.
10:13You don't, do you?
10:16Number 41
10:17Matthew McConaughey
10:19After hitting the scene with his highly quotable character in Dazed and Confused,
10:23Matthew McConaughey became the go-to mainstream rom-com lead.
10:27All right, all right, all right.
10:32How you doing?
10:33However, the 2010s saw a McConnaissance.
10:36The actor dove into dramatic roles like The Lincoln Lawyer and Dallas Buyers Club,
10:41the latter earning him an Oscar for Best Actor.
10:44All right, y'all head out, man. I'm good.
10:46I'll catch up with y'all, all right?
10:48Yeah? You all right, brother? You cool?
10:50I'm cool.
10:51McConaughey kicked off the HBO gritty anthology series True Detective
10:55with an Emmy-worthy role as Rust Cole.
10:58He also portrayed an astronaut in the sci-fi drama Interstellar.
11:02The actor further proved his perfect comedic timing
11:05when he joined the star-studded voice cast of Sing.
11:09Number 40
11:10Robert Downey Jr.
11:11Starting with supporting roles in the 1980s,
11:14Robert Downey Jr. had a promising start in Hollywood.
11:17His time in teen comedies like Weird Science gave way to dramatic work in Chaplin.
11:21I really like you, Charlie.
11:23Yeah, I really like you too, Mac.
11:26And I bet you've been talking to New York.
11:31Let me direct the next one.
11:32With some personal setbacks in the 1990s,
11:35Downey Jr. spent the 2000s rebuilding his career with underrated gems like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
11:41He then got the role of a lifetime as Tony Stark in Iron Man.
11:44Truth is...
11:52I am Iron Man.
11:54This started his run as the armored superhero,
11:57helping to navigate the MCU through many successful entries.
12:01He didn't just become a major box office star either.
12:04Teaming up with visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan,
12:07the performer won an Oscar for his standout performance in Oppenheimer.
12:10Here's a fact.
12:12President Eisenhower pinned the Medal of Freedom on my chest last year
12:16because I've always done what's right for this country.
12:18They don't want me in the cabinet room.
12:20Well, that's... that's fine.
12:23Maybe they should just invite Oppenheimer instead.
12:25Number 39
12:27Julianne Moore
12:28Some viewers might not remember Julianne Moore's foray into soap operas,
12:32but they likely appreciate her film career.
12:34She's been directed several times by Todd Haynes, with Safe being one of her early standouts.
12:40In 1997 alone, the actress appeared in Steven Spielberg's sequel to Jurassic Park
12:46and earned an Oscar nomination for Boogie Nights.
12:48She then starred in stirring period pieces like Far From Heaven and The Hours.
12:54I know, I know, I know it isn't difficult.
12:55It's just that I... I just want to do this for Daddy.
12:58Because it's his birthday?
13:00That's right.
13:01With diverse and emotionally intense performances,
13:04the actress became one of Hollywood's most revered performers.
13:07Her role in Still Alice finally earned her a well-deserved Oscar.
13:11What's happened to you?
13:13The, you know, the Alzheimer's.
13:14You could see it as tragic, but your life has been anything but tragic.
13:20You have had a remarkable career and a great marriage and three beautiful children.
13:27This doesn't discount her great work in comedies like The Big Lebowski
13:31or Crazy Stupid Love either.
13:33Number 38.
13:34Paul Newman.
13:35By the end of the 1970s, Paul had acted in many classics and spent the 1980s making a few more.
13:41This includes his revered performance in The Verdict
13:44and his Oscar-winning part in The Color of Money.
13:47How long do you want me to fry?
13:48Five years, ten years?
13:50Want to play kick the dog for the rest of your life?
13:54Come on, let's clean it up.
13:56The latter film allowed him to reprise his role from The Hustler,
14:00creating a complex look at an older pool player.
14:03Newman's charisma never failed to elevate projects
14:05such as his Academy Award-nominated role in Nobody's Fool.
14:09You know, until a while ago I could have...
14:13I could have, but...
14:18I just found out I'm somebody's grandfather.
14:24I'm somebody's father.
14:25His work started to slow down in the 2000s,
14:28but Road to Perdition and Cars gave audiences two more reasons to appreciate his star power.
14:34You got a lot of stuff, kid.
14:37Thanks, Doc.
14:38Number 37.
14:39Lupita Nyong'o.
14:41After starting out in theater and graduating from the prestigious Yale School of Drama,
14:45Lupita Nyong'o gave an award-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave.
14:50Do what I ain't got the strength to do myself.
14:53The actress continues to entertain moviegoers on the big screen,
14:56joining the expanding MCU in The Groundbreaking Black Panther.
15:00Nyong'o had the opportunity to get into motion capture for The Force Awakens
15:04as wise tavern keeper Maz Kanata.
15:07That lightsaber was Luke's and his father's before him, and now it calls to you.
15:14She also lent her voice to Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book.
15:18The director cast Nyong'o because of her, quote,
15:21Tremendous depth of emotion.
15:23Her immense versatility inspired Jordan Peele to offer her a dual role in Us.
15:28So that's an Oscar, two big franchises, voice acting, and horror?
15:32Is there anything Lupita Nyong'o can't do?
15:35Number 36.
15:37Helen Mirren.
15:38From Excalibur to British royalty,
15:40Helen Mirren's career spans both mythic and modern subjects.
15:44She made her mark in numerous films from costume dramas to murder mysteries like Gosford Park.
15:50Her stellar work on stage prepared her for amazing parts
15:53like Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.
15:55If you imagine I'm going to drop everything and come down to London
15:58before I attend to my grandchildren who've just lost their mother.
16:03Then you're mistaken.
16:05This performance earned her an Academy Award and led to many more interesting roles.
16:09By the 2010s, she further expanded her artistic reach into blockbuster filmmaking.
16:14In both the Red and Fast franchises,
16:17the performer gave macho action stars a run for their money.
16:20Mirren always dazzles on screen with poised and determined choices.
16:25What gift do you think a good servant has that separates them from the others?
16:29It's the gift of anticipation.
16:32And I'm a good servant.
16:34I'm better than good.
16:35I'm the best.
16:35I'm the perfect servant.
16:37Number 35.
16:38Hugh Jackman.
16:47Right out of The Circus King.
16:49Known for musical theater, this actor made a huge leap into films with roles like Wolverine.
16:54Beginning with X-Men, Hugh Jackman assumed the iconic part
16:57that spanned multiple decades and spinoffs.
17:00He also appeared in romantic dramas and epics like Australia,
17:04but took a deeper look at mutant heroes with Logan.
17:07I never asked for this.
17:09All right?
17:10Charles never asked for this.
17:11Caliban never asked for this.
17:14And they are six feet under the ground.
17:17I don't know what Charles put in your head, but I am not whatever it is you think I am, okay?
17:22Jackman didn't forget his musical roots either,
17:24with his turn in Les Miserables or the popular The Greatest Showman.
17:28The artist even returned to play the funnier side of his former role in Deadpool and Wolverine.
17:34Through it all, the performer always shows up ready to play with a vibrant acting style.
17:39Number 34.
17:40Nicole Kidman.
17:41Few actresses have conquered both movies and television as well as Nicole Kidman.
17:46The performer began her career in Australia, but reached a larger audience in the 1990s.
17:52These included American hits like Days of Thunder and Batman Forever.
17:56And now I have you and I'm wishing you were somebody else.
18:07I guess a girl has to grow up sometime.
18:10She also delivered complicated roles in To Die For
18:13and Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut.
18:16Winning an Oscar for The Hours,
18:18Kidman disappeared into her part as writer Virginia Woolf.
18:22She also appeared in Baz Luhrmann's works like the beloved Moulin Rouge.
18:44No stranger to taking chances,
18:46the actress earned nominations for dramas like Rabbit Hole and Being the Ricardos.
18:51Her acting talents also translated to horror stories,
18:54such as The Others and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
18:58Number 33.
18:59Philip Seymour Hoffman.
19:14When he said to me, talk.
19:17Philip Seymour Hoffman was arguably as talented as any of his contemporaries.
19:22In the 1990s, he put his unique stamp on films like Scent of a Woman and Twister.
19:28Hoffman notably brought some of his best instincts to Paul Thomas Anderson's catalog.
19:33He played everyone from the heartbreaking Scotty in Boogie Nights,
19:36to the manipulative cult leader in The Master.
19:39His transformative role in Capote won him an Oscar,
19:42while his ambiguous work in Doubt earned him another Academy Award nomination.
19:47No one knows I've done something wrong.
19:51Imagine the isolation.
19:54You see the world is through a window.
19:57On one side of the glass, happy, untroubled people.
20:00And on the other side, you.
20:03He was a welcome presence in every project that died much too soon.
20:07As both a lead and supporting actor,
20:09there were very few people as fascinating to watch as him.
20:13Number 32.
20:14Jodie Foster.
20:16Starting as a child actress,
20:17Jodie Foster appeared in several classic films before adulthood.
20:21This includes the underrated musical Bugsy Malone,
20:24and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
20:26The Scorsese film earned her an Oscar nomination,
20:29but it was the harrowing drama The Accused that earned her the prized statue.
20:34That sounds like fun.
20:35Listen, Ma, you have a good time, okay?
20:37Hey, how's Sadie doing?
20:40She's fine, I just got her new flea collar, so.
20:43Will I talk to you soon?
20:46Yeah, real soon.
20:48At the start of the next decade,
20:50she won the same award for her spectacular turn in The Silence of the Lambs.
20:54She's gone out of this world in Contact,
20:57and helped a friend try to achieve the impossible in Nyad,
21:01delivering performances full of beautiful nuances.
21:04Keep coming, I got you.
21:06Two, three.
21:07Just one first.
21:11You got this.
21:13You got this.
21:14Okay, careful, careful.
21:16That's it, that's it, just two ankles out, yeah.
21:19Foster also ventured into directing movies and television,
21:23enriching her already cherished career.
21:26Number 31.
21:27Ralph Fiennes.
21:28Ralph Fiennes.
21:30If you love period dramas, you probably love Ralph Fiennes.
21:34He earned an Oscar nomination for his chilling performance
21:36as Eamon Goith in Schindler's List.
21:39A few years later,
21:40the actor starred in the Best Picture winner The English Patient.
21:44Is this it?
21:45Time to do this.
21:47I've watched you, I've watched you at garden parties,
21:50on verandas, at the races.
21:52How can you stand there?
21:57How can you ever smile as if your life had capsized?
22:03Fiennes expanded his influence to rom-coms like Maiden Manhattan
22:08and dark comedies such as In Bruges.
22:10Starring in The Grand Budapest Hotel,
22:12the performer blended his talents into a scene-stealing role.
22:16He keeps you guessing in genre-bending films like The Menu
22:19or thrillers like Conclave.
22:21I do not want to see Tedesco as Pope.
22:25He would take our church back to an earlier era.
22:28I'm sorry, but I cannot vote for a man
22:31unless I think him the most worthy to be Pope.
22:34And for me, that is not Tremblay.
22:37It's you.
22:39I don't want your vote!
22:41There's also his storied time in the Harry Potter and James Bond series,
22:45further proving his greatness in long-running franchises.
22:48With all kinds of superb work,
22:50The Englishman is worthy of an Oscar.
22:52James.
23:02Right.
23:04Back to work.
23:06Number 30.
23:07Johnny Depp.
23:08You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.
23:11But you have heard of me.
23:13Whether he's wearing heavy makeup or not,
23:15Johnny Depp is one of the most influential shapeshifters in film.
23:19In the 1980s,
23:20his TV roles were a proving ground for his future stardom.
23:23Most famously,
23:24the actor started a long-standing partnership with Tim Burton.
23:28Their collaboration spanned decades
23:30and allowed Depp's chameleon-like performances to flourish.
23:34And my Lucy lies in ashes
23:40And I'll never see my girl again
23:47But the world waits!
23:50He also showed off his range in more romantic films like Benny and June,
23:55and dramas such as Donnie Brasco.
23:57His other roles include Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster franchise Pirates of the Caribbean,
24:02allowing him to mix comedy with swashbuckling action.
24:05While his personal life and illegal battles draw scrutiny,
24:08the performer's past work is hard to ignore.
24:11Bring me that horizon.
24:20And really bad eggs.
24:26Drink up me hearties, yo-ho!
24:28Number 29.
24:29Angela Bassett.
24:31The spectacular Angela Bassett has starred in biopics,
24:34rom-coms, and superhero movies without missing a beat.
24:37She earned a nomination for one of her most celebrated performances as Tina Turner.
24:42Won't somebody please, please tell me what's wrong?
24:50You're just a fool, you know you're in love.
24:53What'd you say?
24:56Her powerful role in What's Love Got to Do With It still stands tall,
25:00but it's far from her only acclaimed project.
25:03Bassett was later nominated for her compelling role in Black Panther Wakanda Forever.
25:08I am queen of the most powerful nation in the world,
25:13and my entire family is gone!
25:17Have I not given everything?
25:20Her career also includes unique films like Strange Days,
25:23and an appearance in the Mission Impossible franchise,
25:26showing that she commands the screen regardless of the material.
25:30Her honorary Oscar ultimately represents her greater impact on American film.
25:34Number 28.
25:36Willem Dafoe.
25:37With almost 150 credits in his extensive filmography,
25:40Willem Dafoe is easily one of the greatest living actors.
25:44Younger audiences likely know him as Peter Parker's sinister foe,
25:47Norman Osborn, also known as Green Goblin.
25:51The skilled actor has always been a great villain.
25:53His chilling performance as Max Schreck slash Count Orlok in Shadow of the Vampire
25:59earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
26:02As you no doubt have heard, Max's methods are somewhat unconventional,
26:07but I am sure you will come to respect his artistry in this matter.
26:13And 17 years later, he was nominated again for a very different role in The Florida Project.
26:192019 saw him embody a stranded lighthouse keeper
26:22alongside Robert Pattinson in The Lighthouse.
26:25I've seen you swerving with a gull.
26:29Best leave him be.
26:31Bad luck to kill a seabird.
26:35More tall tales.
26:39Bad luck to kill a seabird.
26:40Number 27.
26:42Brad Pitt.
26:43Sounds like a good friend.
26:45I try.
26:45With roles in films like Thelma and Louise,
26:48Brad Pitt entered the Hollywood radar as an attractive star.
26:51He spent the 1990s challenging his pretty boy status with Legends of the Fall
26:56and then darker mysteries like Seven.
26:58What's going on over there?
27:01Put the gun down.
27:01I saw you with a box.
27:02What was in the box?
27:03Pitt also starred in one of the biggest cult hits of its era, Fight Club.
27:07First rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club.
27:12Second rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club.
27:18His high-profile relationships have also earned him plenty of attention and controversy.
27:23In his professional career, he can be a charismatic lead in Moneyball
27:27or deliver a wild transformation for 12 Monkeys.
27:31For Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,
27:33the actor received an Oscar for his effective work as a stuntman.
27:36Good friend, Cliff.
27:40I try.
27:41The performer shows no signs of stopping,
27:43leading bold acting projects as well as producing award-winning films.
27:48Number 26.
27:49Sylvester Stallone.
27:50With grit and determination, this everyman rose to fame in the 1970s.
27:55Sylvester Stallone achieved mainstream success with his underdog performance in Rocky.
28:00It would arguably become his defining role that spanned several fun sequels.
28:14Everybody chant it out loud!
28:17LONDON REVOLUTION!
28:22Along with being a director, the actor charted a career of box office hits,
28:26action staples, and comedies.
28:28He also starred as Rambo in another notable series, starting with First Blood.
28:33Stallone was also a competitor to fellow star Arnold Schwarzenegger,
28:37playing tough guys in movies like Cobra and Demolition Man.
28:41He was Oscar-nominated for his emotional return as Rocky Balboa in Creed.
28:46It's always about a choice.
28:48I was in the ring.
28:50I saw how it went down.
28:51That fight should have been stopped.
28:53I should have stopped it.
28:54Maybe he wanted to go out like a fighter.
28:56Maybe you did exactly what he wanted.
29:00I think he'd rather be here talking with you.
29:04Even as he's gotten older, the performer shows off his energy with projects like The Expendables.
29:09Number 25.
29:10Viola Davis
29:12Before she was the badass Annalise Keating we know and love,
29:15Viola Davis staked her claim in the film industry.
29:18She's repeatedly delivered on the silver screen with projects like
29:21Doubt and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
29:23No, we just thought-
29:24I ain't got no good sense.
29:25I know none of my music.
29:26I don't know what a good song is.
29:28When ain't you know more about my fans than I do.
29:30It's not that, Ma.
29:31In 2021, Davis reprised her role as the no-nonsense,
29:35and sometimes scary, Amanda Waller in The Suicide Squad,
29:38a character we hope to see for years to come.
29:41Your mission is to infiltrate Jotunheim and destroy every trace of Project Starfish.
29:49On the television side, she's perfected the art of courtroom monologues
29:52on the Shonda Rhimes legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder.
29:56Whether she's starring in a TV series or film,
29:59or even on stage accepting an award, Viola Davis is a powerhouse.
30:04Number 24.
30:05Sigourney Weaver
30:06In the sci-fi horror classic Alien, Sigourney Weaver entered cinema history
30:11as one of its toughest and most memorable heroines.
30:14She then returned for sequels that expanded Ellen Ripley's character
30:18and brought her to more audiences around the world.
30:20Get away from her, you bitch!
30:24The actress did much more than that franchise, however,
30:27lending her talents to diverse projects such as Working Girl and Ghostbusters.
30:31Her success continued as she rejoined director James Cameron for the Avatar series.
30:37Hey, Maureen!
30:43Grace?
30:44Well, who'd you expect, numbnuts?
30:47Think fast.
30:49Motor control's looking good.
30:51Weaver has a magnetic presence that transcends movie genres,
30:55giving even the slight glance or stare an added meaning.
30:59It's no wonder she's continued to excite viewers after all this time.
31:03Number 23.
31:04Keanu Reeves
31:05Keanu Reeves is known for being a great guy and a famous actor.
31:09Throughout the 1990s, Reeves grew as an action hero with major projects
31:14such as Point Break and Speed.
31:16At the end of the decade, he played one of his most iconic characters in The Matrix.
31:21Goodbye, Mr. Anderson.
31:23My name...
31:28is Neil.
31:29The groundbreaking film allowed the performer to show off his knack for awesome action scenes.
31:34Years later, he started in another notable franchise, John Wick.
31:38Hello, Francis.
31:41Mr. Wick.
31:50Are you here on business, sir?
31:53Afraid so, Francis.
31:56Why don't you take the men off?
31:58The star once again showed off his ability to sell intricate gunplay and hand-to-hand combat.
32:03He's also known for the occasional romantic drama and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
32:08At this point, it's easy to say that this legend lights up any screen with his physical performances.
32:13Number 22.
32:15Glenn Close
32:16She's been honored as a theater actor, but some viewers know her better for her film roles.
32:21These include notable appearances in the ensemble drama The Big Chill
32:25and The World According to Garp.
32:26I don't see what you see in politics, mother.
32:28A mess, that's what.
32:30And I don't like it, so I'm trying to clean it up a bit.
32:33This woman I'm supporting would make a damn fine president,
32:36she's only running for governor.
32:37Goodbye, darling.
32:41I did a fine thing, son, having you.
32:43I'm glad you did too, mom.
32:45Close draws you in with her natural talents,
32:47with an ability to play to the audience's emotions.
32:50This comes out especially with her frightening work in Fatal Attraction.
32:54That performance earned one of many Oscar nominations,
32:57with more greatness to follow in provocative films such as The Wife and Hillbilly Elegy.
33:02Whether she's in 101 Dalmatians or Guardians of the Galaxy,
33:06this performer never fails to achieve excellence.
33:09Mr. Ville?
33:11Yes?
33:12We have a warrant for your arrest.
33:14Oh.
33:16Is there something wrong?
33:18Number 21.
33:19Christian Bale.
33:21This method actor is known for his intense transformations,
33:24altering his appearance significantly.
33:26But there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory.
33:31But Christian Bale's serious acting ability doesn't get enough praise on its own.
33:36The dedication he puts into his characters is as psychological as it is physical,
33:40and it always pays off.
33:42Bale has played everything from a fit Wall Street serial killer,
33:46to an emaciated insomniac, to an aging American vice president.
33:50His portrayal of Dickie Eklund in The Fighter landed him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
34:03He even became the caped crusader in Christopher Nolan's widely successful Dark Knight trilogy.
34:08Bale later made his MCU debut in Taika Waititi's Thor Love and Thunder,
34:13playing the villainous gore The God Butcher.
34:16Number 20.
34:17Arnold Schwarzenegger.
34:18I'll be back.
34:20Hailing from Austria, this star went from a bodybuilder to a movie legend.
34:25Arnold Schwarzenegger ruled the 1980s as one of the biggest action stars.
34:29Excuse me, how long is the flight?
34:31We land in Val Verde in exactly 11 hours.
34:33Thank you, and do me a favor, don't disturb my friend, he's dead tired.
34:38Starring in The Terminator, the actor began his work in the long-running sci-fi series.
34:43He also starred in hits like Conan the Barbarian, Commando, and Predator in the same decade.
34:48Many of his 1990 films were also successful,
34:51as he starred in the Terminator sequel and comedies like Kindergarten Cop.
34:55I have a headache.
34:57It might be a tumor.
34:58It's not a tumor.
35:00It's not a tumor at all.
35:02His mastery of shootouts, fights, and even comedic set pieces can't be overstated.
35:07After his time as the California governor,
35:10Schwarzenegger starred in more movies that capitalized on his macho persona.
35:14Number 19.
35:15Francis McDormand.
35:17Starting in the 1980s,
35:18Francis McDormand started a fruitful collaboration with Joel and Ethan Coen.
35:23McDormand went on to win more than a couple of Oscars,
35:26including one for the 1996 classic Fargo.
35:29I guess that was your accomplice in The Woodchipper.
35:37And those three people in Brainerd.
35:40And for what?
35:48For a little bit of money.
35:49Throughout the 2000s and 2010s,
35:51her lead and supporting performances were notably strong.
35:55She later wowed Academy voters with her fierce presence in three billboards
35:59outside Ebbing, Missouri.
36:01Shoot up a place or stab a guy.
36:04Well then, even though you may not know nothing about it,
36:07and even though you may have just been standing on a street corner
36:11minding your own business,
36:13what these new laws said was, you're still culpable.
36:17After exploring multiple genres,
36:19the actress tried something different with her subtle turn in Nomadland.
36:23Her three Best Actress trophies only tell part of the story,
36:27highlighting a career full of big risks and huge payoffs.
36:31Number 18.
36:32Samuel L. Jackson.
36:34With his appearances in different franchises and blockbusters,
36:37Jackson is practically synonymous with Hollywood success.
36:40His engaging presence makes for the highlight of over a hundred movies.
36:44The prolific actor makes classics even more iconic,
36:47bringing entertaining performances to Quentin Tarantino films like Pulp Fiction.
36:52And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger
36:58those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.
37:03And you will know my name is the law when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
37:10Jackson is also known for his incredible line readings
37:12that make for one of his greatest cinematic assets.
37:15He can even make a movie called Snakes on a Plane worth watching.
37:18From the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the Star Wars prequels,
37:22the legendary actor never gives less than 100%.
37:25In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic,
37:28you're under arrest, Chancellor.
37:31Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?
37:33The Senate will decide your fate.
37:35I am the Senate.
37:38Not yet.
37:39Number 17.
37:40Harrison Ford.
37:41For his roles in Star Wars and the Indiana Jones series,
37:45Harrison Ford starred in some of the highest-grossing
37:48and most beloved films of the 20th century.
37:50His role as Han Solo turned him into the scoundrel that you can't help but love.
37:55Even I get boarded sometimes.
37:57Do you think I had a choice?
37:59Over my dead body.
38:11Yes, I bet you have.
38:14As the famed archaeologist, Ford became a relatable and grounded hero.
38:19This doesn't even count his work in Blade Runner or his roles as Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan.
38:24As a reliable leading man, the actor brings a self-assuredness to a noble hero in Witness,
38:30A Desperate Doctor in The Fugitive, and even the secret menace of What Lies Beneath.
38:34Every time I look at her, I see you.
38:46Oh, God.
38:47Number 16.
38:48Anthony Hopkins.
38:50While Anthony Hopkins has given us too many great performances to count,
38:54his ability to embody completely different characters is encapsulated beautifully
38:58in his first two Oscar-nominated performances.
39:01First, as the highly intelligent and manipulative killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter
39:06in The Silence of the Lambs.
39:08Oh, no, no, no, no.
39:11You were doing fine.
39:12You had been courteous and receptive to courtesy.
39:16You had established trust with the embarrassing truth about Migs.
39:20And now this ham-handed segue into your questionnaire.
39:24Second, as the quiet and reserved butler James Stevens in The Remains of the Day.
39:29His turn years later as Pope Benedict XVI earned him another Academy Award nomination
39:36and continued to prove he's deserving of a spot on this list.
39:39Might I suggest you try telling the newspapers the opposite of what you think?
39:43Your chances of being quoted correctly might therefore improve.
39:46We'd watch Hopkins act any day, with or without some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
39:55Number 15.
39:57Emma Stone.
39:58From her earlier days of Superbad, Emma Stone showed that she had a future in acting.
40:03Her reputation for comedic parts grew as films like Zombieland and Easy A let her get big laughs.
40:09As she navigated the 2010s, Stone transitioned into more dramatic fare with equal success.
40:15This included an Academy Award for her multifaceted work in La La Land.
40:36Not one to rest on her laurels, the actress pushed herself even further with complex
40:41roles in The Favorite and Poor Things.
40:43These dark comedies let her branch out with eclectic material.
40:47Her second collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos earned her another Oscar,
40:51reminding audiences of her charismatic presence on screen.
41:04Number 14.
41:05Heath Ledger.
41:06Nowadays, when you hear this actor's name,
41:09it's hard not to think of the scene-stealing clown in The Dark Knight.
41:13Heath Ledger's Joker set a new standard for anyone taking on the character in the future.
41:32It's a remarkable performance that earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting
41:37Actor and garnered lasting praise.
41:40Given his previous work in films like A Knight's Tale,
41:42fans didn't believe he could tackle such a role.
41:45Boy, were they wrong.
41:47But let's not forget his heartbreaking role as a sheep herder in Brokeback Mountain.
41:52The late actor was a transcendent artist taken way too soon.
42:12Number 13.
42:13Joaquin Phoenix.
42:15Forever reinventing himself, Joaquin Phoenix has transformed himself into a wide range of
42:20distinct characters.
42:22After his false retirement from acting, Phoenix returned to the screen in Paul Thomas Anderson's
42:27psychological drama The Master.
42:32Unsurprisingly, the actor garnered massive praise for his performance as a World War II veteran
42:38trying to adjust to civilian life.
42:40He followed that up with films like sci-fi romance Her and the biopic Don't Worry,
42:45He Won't Get Far on Foot.
42:46But it's the box office hit Joker that really got everyone's attention.
42:57He's known for taking dark roles, but the traumatized,
43:00failed comedian Arthur Fleck is one of his darkest.
43:04Number 12.
43:05Julia Roberts.
43:06It's hard to imagine a time before Julia Roberts achieved stardom.
43:10From her early performances, the actress showed that she was a bright light in any project.
43:16Pretty Woman was a major breakthrough for her, and signaled a decade of successful work.
43:21Hi!
43:21Hello!
43:22Do you remember me?
43:23No, I'm sorry.
43:24I was in here yesterday.
43:25You wouldn't wait on me?
43:27Oh.
43:28You work on commission, right?
43:30Yes.
43:32Big mistake.
43:33Big.
43:33Huge.
43:34I have to go shopping now.
43:36This includes thrillers like The Pelican Brief, and enjoyable rom-coms like Notting Hill.
43:41She also won an Academy Award for her stunning choices in Erin Brockovich.
43:45Her parents are Ted and Rita.
43:47Ted's got Crohn's disease.
43:48Rita has chronic headaches and nausea and underwent a hysterectomy last fall.
43:52Ted grew up in Hinckley.
43:53His brother Robbie and his wife May and their five children,
43:56Robbie Jr., Martha, Ed, Rose and Peter also lived on the plume.
44:01Their number is 4549554.
44:03You want their diseases?
44:05In the 2000s, she lent her talents to the Ocean series,
44:09and continued her role as a leading actress in Hollywood.
44:12In both comedies and dramas,
44:14the performer shows her range and endless chemistry with her co-stars.
44:18Are you saying, are you thinking that
44:20your friend is somehow behind what's happening here?
44:23Number 11.
44:25Jack Nicholson.
44:26While everyone does a Jack Nicholson impression,
44:29when it comes to his ability as an actor, there are few who compare.
44:32Off screen, he has a cool guy with sunglasses aura.
44:36On screen, Nicholson has proved his ability to do pretty much anything.
44:40For some, his role in The Shining is the top.
44:43Stop swinging the bat.
44:46Put the bat down, Wendy.
44:49Wendy, give me the bat.
44:55For others, there's no more iconic Nicholson
44:58than One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Chinatown.
45:01And we still haven't mentioned a few good men,
45:04as good as it gets, or The Departed.
45:06When I was your age, they would say we could become cops or criminals.
45:11Today, what I'm saying is this.
45:14When you're facing a loaded gun,
45:19what's the difference?
45:21And if longevity means anything to you,
45:23allow us to point out the fact that Nicholson was nominated
45:26for an acting Oscar every decade from the 60s through the 2000s.
45:31Number 10.
45:32Leonardo DiCaprio.
45:34He's come a long way from his 23-episode stint as Luke Bauer on Growing Pains.
45:40Excuse me!
45:42I thought today's subject was gravity.
45:46Okay, fine.
45:48And sure, he was a good-looking guy and he handled his own on screen,
45:52but that character wasn't evidence of the amazing actor Leonardo DiCaprio was to become.
45:58It would first really show itself about a year later in DiCaprio's Oscar-nominated turn
46:03in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and the evidence kept mounting from there.
46:08I'm not tired yet, Gilbert.
46:11Gotta go to sleep, okay?
46:13Okay, goodbye.
46:16No, it's not goodbye, it's goodnight.
46:19Yeah!
46:19In his early 20s, his talent reigned in The Basketball Diaries and Romeo and Juliet.
46:25As he got older, he matured, and so did his performances,
46:29whether it was playing Howard Hughes or J. Edgar Hoover,
46:33winning his first Oscar for his brilliant turn in The Revenant.
46:37Is it true you killed an officer?
46:44I just killed a man who's trying to kill my son.
46:47Number 9.
46:48Robin Williams
46:50There are very few people who would ever be on a list of the greatest comedians of all time,
46:55and a list of the greatest actors.
46:57Robin Williams is one of those people.
47:00Some of his best performances relied on his brilliant comedic mind and manic personality,
47:05from Good Morning Vietnam to Aladdin.
47:08Excuse me?
47:09Are you looking at me?
47:11Did you rub my lamp?
47:12Did you wake me up?
47:14Did you bring me here?
47:15And all of a sudden you're walking out on me?
47:17I don't think so.
47:19Not right now.
47:20You're getting your wishes, so sit down!
47:23But what makes Williams such a standout actor was his ability to play the drama,
47:28the quiet, and those moments of true depth and introspection.
47:32An ability highlighted in his Oscar-winning performance as Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting.
47:37Maybe you're perfect right now.
47:38Maybe you don't want to ruin that.
47:42But I think that's a super philosophy, Will.
47:44That way you can go through your entire life without ever having to really know anybody.
47:48He really could do it all.
47:50We would stand on our desks any day for Robin Williams.
47:54Number 8.
47:55Robert De Niro
47:56There's no doubting Robert De Niro's place on this list,
47:59as he is certainly one of the greatest actors of all time.
48:02His iconic roles in movies like Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, and Cape Fear
48:07have definitely cemented his name in film history.
48:15Beyond emotionally and mentally immersing himself in his roles,
48:18De Niro is known for physically committing completely to a character.
48:22He famously put on 60 pounds for a portion of his
48:251980 performance as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
48:39And while he made his name in dramas and crime films,
48:42he's proved in more recent decades, with films such as Analyze This and Meet the Parents,
48:48that he can do comedy also.
48:50Number 7.
48:51Tom Cruise
48:53For multiple decades and counting,
48:55Tom Cruise has built up a monolithic presence on film.
48:59His star power generates box office successes,
49:02pop culture phenomenons, and acclaimed dramas.
49:05His multi-genre work also spans several franchises,
49:08such as Top Gun and Mission Impossible.
49:13He's teamed up with many of the greatest directors of the last half-century,
49:18including Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, and Paul Thomas Anderson.
49:22Cruise gives his all to many roles that put his body on the line.
49:26Famous for his action projects, the performer does many death-defying stunts.
49:30He's continued to raise the bar as an actor dedicated to his craft.
49:34That's why they canned me the last time.
49:40The only reason I'm here is you.
49:50If I send him on this mission, he might never come home.
49:55Number 6.
49:56Cate Blanchett
49:57You know how a Classico pasta sauce bills itself as the second best compared to homemade?
50:02Well, Cate Blanchett is such a great actor that her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I
50:07and Catherine Hepburn are second only to the actual women themselves.
50:11I've met someone, I've fallen in love, and I'm moving out.
50:18If I could make it any more gentle, I would.
50:22Blanchett's range is so impressive,
50:25she even earned one of her many Oscar nominations
50:27for playing a version of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There.
50:31I'm not the president, I'm not some shepherd.
50:35I'm just a storyteller, man, that's all I am.
50:37And we can't forget her portrayal of Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
50:41A role that made such an impact, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson
50:45wrote her into the Hobbit trilogy, even though the character isn't actually in the novel.
50:51Number 5.
50:52Daniel Day-Lewis
50:53Daniel Day-Lewis is widely regarded as one of the finest thespians ever.
50:58In 2012, Time magazine proclaimed him the world's greatest actor,
51:03and with his Oscar for Lincoln, Day-Lewis became the first three-time Best Actor winner.
51:09I signed the Emancipation Proclamation a year and a half before my second election.
51:14I felt I was within my power to do it.
51:16However, I also felt that I might be wrong about that.
51:20I knew the people would tell me.
51:21I gave them a year and a half to think about it, and they re-elected me.
51:24His career has been distinguished by thought-provoking performances
51:27in a range of critically acclaimed films,
51:29and the time and energy he devotes to each role is legendary.
51:34For his role in In the Name of the Father, Day-Lewis lost over 50 pounds
51:39and demanded the crew verbally abuse him.
51:41During the filming of Gangs of New York,
51:43the crew had to convince him to get treated for pneumonia.
51:46He initially refused because it wasn't true to the time period.
51:50When it comes to acting, Day-Lewis drinks all of our milkshakes.
51:54I drink your milkshake.
52:00I drink it up!
52:01Number 4.
52:02Denzel Washington
52:04When it comes to great actors,
52:06few have a magnetism that can compare to that of Denzel Washington.
52:10His charisma and talent are larger than life.
52:13What is thy name?
52:16Thou be afraid to hear it?
52:18No, thou call'st thyself a hotter name than any is in hell.
52:25My name's Macbeth.
52:26Whether he's doing Shakespeare or rocking an action movie,
52:30Washington's presence fills the screen, grabs you, and doesn't allow you to look away.
52:35He doesn't even have to say a single word,
52:37as he proved early on in one of the most powerful scenes of his career in the film Glory.
52:49When it comes to screen presence,
52:51King Kong really doesn't have anything on this uber-talented actor.
52:56King Kong ain't got s*** on me!
53:00Number 3.
53:01Al Pacino
53:02While most associated with big, loud outbursts and moments of climactic exclamations,
53:08pigeonholing Al Pacino in that way does a disservice
53:11to one of the greatest acting talents Hollywood has ever seen.
53:14There's gotta be a way to wipe it out.
53:16God damn it, there's gotta be a way.
53:18Let's get out of here for a while, huh honey?
53:19Let's go to a movie.
53:20Will you quit handling me?
53:21What are you doing?
53:22Go to a movie!
53:23How am I gonna go to a movie?
53:24You know they'd kill me if they knew!
53:26Do you know that?
53:27Sure, he's great at being loud, but that's not where his greatness comes from.
53:31For all of the you're out of order and Attica Attica Attica,
53:34there are also moments of quiet conversation,
53:37true studies in character that are just as riveting.
53:41What's most important to me...
53:45is that I have a guarantee.
53:48No more attempts on my father's life.
53:50He can be the head of a criminal family,
53:51or an aging, paranoid, mid-level mafioso.
53:55He can do Shakespeare and Mamet.
53:57And he does it all with a force and deep connection with character
54:00and truth that continues to impress.
54:05Comedy, drama, romance, Tom Hanks can do it all.
54:09Hanks can float from one genre to another
54:12and knock it out of the park each time like few other actors can.
54:16He made his name in 80s comedies
54:18and became a rom-com icon in the 90s.
54:20It's you.
54:22It's me.
54:23I saw you in the street.
54:26Are you Annie?
54:29Yes.
54:30But while other actors could have easily been boxed into those types of movies,
54:34Hanks showed off his range,
54:36winning two consecutive Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
54:40Those must be comfortable shoes.
54:42I bet you could walk all day in shoes like that and not feel a thing.
54:49I wish I had shoes like that.
54:52My feet hurt.
54:53He also made us cry over a volleyball.
54:56How many actors can say that?
54:58Hanks might be the nicest guy in Hollywood,
55:00but he's also one of the best actors.
55:03Before we continue,
55:04be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell
55:07to get notified about our latest videos.
55:09You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
55:13If you're on your phone,
55:15make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
55:19Number 1.
55:20Meryl Streep
55:21Meryl Streep's unparalleled acting ability,
55:24approachability, and dynamism
55:26easily make her one of the greatest thespians of both stage and screen.
55:31From her heartbreaking turn in Sophie's Choice
55:34to her spot-on performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady,
55:37Streep has consistently showcased her remarkable range as a performer.
55:41With all due respect, sir,
55:44I have done battle every single day of my life,
55:48and many men have underestimated me before.
55:52This lot seem bound to do the same,
55:54but they will rue the day.
55:57And while awards and nominations
55:59might not always be a perfect indicator of talent,
56:02Streep's record 21 Oscar and 38 Emmy nominations
56:07and 33 Golden Globe nominations
56:09are crazy numbers that can't be overlooked.
56:12Comedy, drama, musicals, accents.
56:15As an actor, Streep has proven that there's nothing she can't handle
56:19and do so at a level we've rarely seen.
56:22And it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice
56:25that exempts you from the fashion industry
56:27when in fact you're wearing a sweater
56:29that was selected for you by the people in this room
56:33from a pile of stuff.
56:35Which defining movie star did we snub for this list?
56:38Let us know in the comments.
56:40Just smile Loretta so you don't look like you're being held up.
56:44You got a very pretty smile.
56:47Did you enjoy this video?
56:49Check out these other clips from WatchMojo
56:51and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell
56:53to be notified about our latest videos.
57:05you