6. Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman's definitive role in The Shawshank Redemption has been both a blessing and a curse. Nobody can do narrative voiceovers quite like Freeman, and he plays kindly old sage as well as anyone currently working, but like others on this list, he's capable of so much more, and can verge on self-parody with some of his worse film choices. What made his casting in Gone Baby Gone so brilliant was that it appears to be the typical Morgan Freeman role, only for a very dark twist to arrive, which is so shocking because it's Morgan Freeman, and Morgan Freeman played God. Freeman is undoubtedly a great actor and his small but vital appearances in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy are subtle but excellent flourishes, it's just that with his ability it's frustrating to see him play it so easy at times. He attempted villain in Wanted and Lucky Number Slevin, he's played everyone from God to Nelson Mandela and his filmography matches up with anyone's, but there's still something missing. His role in Gone Baby Gone does not have a vast amount of screen time, but it's a brilliant role, perfectly executed by the masterful actor and it leaves you yearning for a more edgy Morgan Freeman. A Morgan Freeman that doesn't play himself for once.