6. Orson Welles
The myth of Orson Welles is almost as fascinating as the reality of Orson Welles. Unquestionably one of the finest directors to ever work, Welles was hampered with an ego larger than his trouser waist - no mean feat. Obsessive and compulsive, Welles has a reputation as being one of the most difficult men to work with in Hollywood history. Like Stanley Kubrick after him, Welles always insisted on total control over his films, but that never stopped studios from getting their hands dirty and massacring his work. A great talent no doubt, but no amount of talent can make up for being a narcissistic and rude individual who's action were often akin to a spoilt middle-class child. His visionary mind was frequently hampered by his explosive temperament and he sadly ended up starring in commercials to support himself as nobody would finance his pictures. His actions often bordered on bullying, though he justified it by believing that it was a means to an end for his artistry. The Richard Linklater film, Me and Orson Welles is an intriguing look into the pre-Kane Welles and he is perfectly embodied by Christian McKay who nails his iconic voice perfectly. Notoriously tardy, outrageously bombastic and ludicrously strong-willed, Orson Welles is one of cinema's most fascinating and brilliant figures.