The four-time Oscar-winning director has had his say on who he believes is the best of the best, and his choice may shock Leonardo DiCaprio
One of the greatest directors of all time fired off his list of who he believes are the five greatest actors of all time in quick succession.
When it comes to selecting the crème de la crème of actors to grace our screens, the choices are endless. Yet, Steven Spielberg had no hesitation when it came to naming his top picks.
Why are we even surprised? After all, Steven Spielberg lives and breathes cinema.
With masterpieces like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, Jaws, and the Indiana Jones franchise under his belt, the 78-year-old is destined to leave a lasting legacy. And that’s just the 20th century!
Since the turn of the 21st century, Spielberg has directed an additional 19 films, including Catch Me If You Can, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, and The Post.
Over the years, he’s worked alongside A-list talent like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Liam Neeson, Harrison Ford, and Whoopi Goldberg. But when it comes to naming his top five actors, the legendary director has his own list.
In a candid interview, Spielberg recalled a conversation he had with Stanley Kubrick after watching The Shining. Spielberg, unimpressed on his first viewing, compared Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance to Japanese Kabuki theatre, suggesting it was too over-the-top. Kubrick, ever the defender of his work, then challenged Spielberg to name his five favorite actors of all time.
Surprisingly, none of the iconic stars Spielberg had worked with made the cut. Instead, he quickly rattled off: “Spencer Tracy, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable.”
Spielberg continued, “He stopped me and said, ‘Stop, okay, where was James Cagney on that list?’”
After a brief pause, Spielberg thought to himself, Cagney’s up there high, but Kubrick pressed on, “He’s not in your top five. You don’t consider James Cagney one of the five best actors around, but I do.”
Kubrick then explained his point, tying it all back to The Shining: “And this is why Jack Nicholson’s performance is a great one.”
The lesson Kubrick imparted? Just because a performance doesn’t align with Spielberg’s taste doesn’t mean it’s not an outstanding one. It’s all about perspective—The Shining, despite Spielberg’s initial critique, was still a masterpiece in Kubrick’s eyes.
As for the actors Spielberg did include on his list, Spencer Tracy is best known for his iconic roles in Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967). Meanwhile, Henry Fonda’s legacy was cemented with films like The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and the timeless 12 Angry Men (1957).
Jimmy Stewart, celebrated for his unforgettable roles in Anatomy of a Murder (1959), Vertigo (1958), and The Philadelphia Story, also made it onto Spielberg’s list, alongside the suave and versatile Cary Grant. Known for his roles in films like North by Northwest and The Philadelphia Story, Grant was a true classic leading man.
Clark Gable, too, earned a spot on Spielberg’s list, cementing his place in cinematic history with his iconic portrayal of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939), one of the most beloved films of all time.
As for Kubrick’s favorite, James Cagney, his high-energy, intense performances were part of what made him such a standout star. Much like Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance in The Shining, Cagney’s style was larger than life. His standout roles in Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) and White Heat (1949) are a testament to his dynamic range and unforgettable presence on screen.
