Actionfilms often attempt to elevate their stories by casting A-list actors with varied skill sets. The MCU and DC have both leveraged award-winning star power in their various projects, and other huge action franchises have followed suit. For some actors, it was meant to be a quick sojourn into the world of high-octane antics, but somehow, it turned into the main focus of their careers. Oscar winners and nominees, theater actors, and comedic geniuses have all gotten involved in this thrilling genre in a way that has almost redefined their careers
Of course,very few actors stick to only one kind of story.Many of them demonstrate their skills in other genres, like dramas, romance, and comedy, but if the audience were asked to name some of their most recognizable projects, their minds would invariably go toward an action film. The upside of this popular phenomenon is that the action movies these actors star in benefit from their talent and become better for it. Adding much-needed emotional depth or a skillful comedic beat gives audiences much more of an enjoyable and comprehensive experience.
10Gerard Butler
A Skilled Dramatic Actor
The talented Scottish star started out as a theater actor and even performed in London’s West End.A lot of his earlier work was film and TV roles that showcased his range. He was even able to show off his singing skills inPhantom of the Opera. But, once he showed his tougher side in300, the action offers started flooding in. He mixed in a few rom-coms, but the majority of his biggest hits have been adrenaline-packed blockbusters.
Gerard Butler’s New #1 Movie On Netflix Sets Up A Pivotal Moment For The $137 Million Action Franchise
Den of Thieves 2 has found massive success on Netflix, which means that the franchise now has a chance to become even bigger in the future.
TheFallenfranchise is probably what Gerard Butler is most known for among average moviegoers,and titles likeGeostormandLaw Abiding Citizenhave solidified his presence as an action star. His dramatic prowess and theater background make the roles he plays feel much more layered than many one-dimensional characters who smash and shoot their way through the plot.Machine Guy Preacheris a great example of this. Hopefully, Butler is able to reinvent himself in the next few years with some more challenging roles that show his range of skills.
9Charlize Theron
Well-Rounded Oscar Winner
Some movie stars have a resume so varied, it’s impossible to pick only one film that defines them.If pushed, there would be a list of projects that cover multiple genres and show their versatility. With Charlize Theron, although she is a well-established Hollywood player, most movies that define her lay in the action realm. From her epic portrayal ofFuriosa in Mad Max: Fury Roadto her slick turn in the surprisingly violentAtomic Blonde, Theron has been kicking butts and taking names for a while now.
However, it is important to remember that she received her Academy Award for playing a real-life serial killer in a naturalistic and graphic indie film calledMonster.Going back even further, her ingénue days were spent on various romantic dramas and even some charming comedies.Some of that variety can still be found among the list of titles she’s worked on, most recently withBombshellandYoung Adult, but it seems like the action genre has overtaken her past work in a big way.
8Chris Hemsworth
In Dire Need Of A Rom-Com
The Australian heartthrob has been showing his comedic timing in many of his projects, which are predominantly action films.As one of the original Avengers, Chris Hemsworth is an integral part of the MCU, and each outing as Thor has allowed him to embrace the funny side of the character more and more.RagnarokandLove and Thunderare both comedy films, and his performance inAvengers: Endgamekept the audience in stitches. But, his peak physical fitness and imposing stature have kept him within the action genre.
He could soar in a rom-com and easily lead a comedy of his own.
Hemsworth is great at what he does, and the confirmation that his Asgardian character will return to theAvengers: Doomsdayproject has delighted many fans of the hilarious Norse god. But, it would be great if he fully committed to something that was outside his usual action adventures. He could soar in a rom-com and easily lead a comedy of his own. Even his dramatic and more emotional scenes fly under the radar, and it’s important to remember that there’s more to this Hemsworth than just muscle mass.
7Halle Berry
Academy Award & Emmy Winner
The extremely Halle Berry remains the only Black woman to have won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The moment was iconic, and her heartfelt performance inMonster’s Ballis layered and full of emotion. She deserved every statue that she received for this role.And yet, she seems to have been pigeonholed into the action category of movies, with her role as Storm in theX-Menfranchise being her most well-known,and famous flopCatwomansomehow being her signature project, according to IMDb.
The choices Berry made in her career, of course, contributed to this classification, with not much direction, and a lack of quality projects that came about after she won her Academy Award.However, the fact remains that Halle Berry has a rare quality that combines strength and vulnerability, with an expressive face, and intense physicality. It could be that once she reached the pinnacle of her career she chose to pick less emotionally taxing projects, but everyone must remember the work that saw her showcase raw emotions and receive immense critical acclaim.
6Liam Neeson
Starred In Harrowing Dramas
Some viewers may not remember a time when Liam Neeson was not an action star.He starred in landmark dramas likeSchindler’s List,Nell, andGangs of New Yorkwhich saw him work with Steven Spielberg, Jodie Foster, and Martin Scorsese, respectively. He was even nominated for an Oscar and, while he does sometimes opt for dramatic projects, he has made his mark on the action genre in a big way. Ever since he uttered those immortal words inTakenand unleashed his particular set of skills in the world, there was no going back.
What followed was a slew of dark, gritty, and thrilling films that created the popular if unofficial sub-genre of “a Liam Neeson action movie.”
Viewers know what to expect, and they flock to theaters in droves. Films likeThe GreyandThe Commuterrely on his intensity and sadness to bring to life a sort of highbrow type of action. Not to mention his role in theStar Warsuniverse. But, Neeson has also made many moving dramas and even appeared in iconic comedy projects likeAnchorman 2andDerry Girls.
5Bruce Willis
Charming Leading Man
Most action movie fans are very well aware of Bruce Willis as one of the biggest genre names of all.The immensely successful and popularDie Hardseries alone is enough to cement him among the greats,but his resume is packed with many more high-octane blockbusters. He is part of other well-known franchises likeREDandThe Expendablesand is many viewers' favorite action star. But, there is so much more to this legendary actor than explosions and firearms.
His great comedic timing won him not one but two Emmy Awards, with one dating all the way back to his starring role inMoonlightingin the late 1980s.He also won another for his guest spot onFriends,which only came about as a favor to his former co-star Matthew Perry. It goes to show that he can imbue even the most impromptu role with his charm and personality. Then there were his great dramatic performances inPulp FictionandThe Sixth Sense, which prove that he can thrive in just about any project.
4Michelle Rodriguez
Capable Of A Lot Of Emotional Depth
Before the expanse of theFast and Furiousfranchise, Michelle Rodriguez’s career trajectory had the potential to go in a few different ways.Her innate toughness was always an asset, and her breakthrough role inGirlfightmerges her physicality with a lot of emotional depth for a memorable and nuanced performance. But, she soon got typecast as the strong and stoic type, who tends to wear leather and potentially rides a motorcycle.
If she was able to get more roles that relied on her brains more than her brawn, it would be fascinating to see her again show the world just what she’s capable of.
It seems quite ironic that Rodriguez had once disparaged the comic book genre for its lack of realism and too many sequels, especially withFast X: Part 2on its way. But, it’s important to remember the flashes of emotion and genuinely moving performances that she is able to sprinkle throughout her career. If she was able to get more roles that relied on her brains more than her brawn, it would be fascinating to see her again show the world just what she’s capable of.
3Keanu Reeves
A Movie Star In Every Sense
Keanu Reeves has been acting since his early teens and has been part of some of the most well-known movies and recognizable franchises of the past four decades.But, most people will predominantly associate him with being one of the best action stars of all time. His starring roles inThe MatrixandJohn Wickseries have solidified his dominance of the genre, and older classics likeSpeedandPoint Breakwere where it all started.
While many certainly know him as the chosen one, Neo, and the assassin of very few words, who leaves a trail of destruction in his wake, Reeves is responsible for so many other memorable characters.A comedic prodigy, he is part of the dynamic duo that is Bill and Ted and is a very prolific indie movie actor as well.His roles inBram Stoker’s DraculaandDangerous Liaisonsallowed him to show viewers he could thrive in any century, and he even did a Shakespearean picture.
2Zoe Saldaña
A Triple Threat
The most recent Best Supporting Actress winner at the Oscars has seemingly started her reinvention, and it will be interesting to see if she chooses to leave her action persona behind.Zoe Saldaña swept the board on the awards circuit for her role inEmilia Pérez, but before this highly decorated performance, her most recognizable roles had all been in action films. In fact, she has been in so many billion-dollar blockbusters, she is one of the most bankable action stars around.
Avatar, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy,and twoAvengersfilms are just some of Saldaña’s most notable action projects that showcase her physical prowess and impressive teamwork.Gamora is one of the most beloved MCU characters, and there is no Neytiri without Zoe Saldaña.She has exhibited her dramatic skills in a lot of challenging projects, and audiences of a certain age will no doubt remember her from the 2000s cult classic,Crossroads. It’s clear there is more to this all-rounder than just roundhouse kicks.
1Jason Statham
Comedy Genius
Known for his epic one-liners and the most thrilling action scenes, Jason Statham has created his very own niche within the action genre. Audiences know what to expect from a film that stars the gruff British actor, and he has capitalized on that particular market gap perfectly. The films he leads tend to see him as a brooding specialist with a secret heart of gold, who heroically saves those in need and can avenge just about anyone. In bigger franchises likeFast and FuriousandThe Expendables, he provides scene-stealing moments that viewers cannot wait for.
The most surprising thing about thisactionstar is his incredible sense of humor. Statham is able to deliver a punchline perfectly, and he is never afraid to poke fun at himself. It’s rare for actors known for their dark and brooding roles to be able to take themselves so unseriously, and it could be that lack of ego and preciousness that makes him so much more than just aTransporter, Beekeeper,orA Working Man. Though he is able to show off his comedy in many films, a follow-up toSpywould be most welcome.
