5. Samuel L Jackson - The Badass
Samuel L Jackson is synonymous with one word, and that word is badass. At this point in his career, after so many amazing performances in Quentin Tarantino films and goofy action movies like Snakes on a Plane, it's almost inconceivable for him to take on a role that doesn't play into this stereotype. For all we know, he might have it in him to abruptly switch gears and play, say, a doting father or a determined scientist, but why would we even want that? Watching Samuel L Jackson playing a role meant for mere mortals can hardly be half as satisfying as just letting the man do his thing and play the characters he was born to inhabit. It's reached the point where most audience members don't even remember the names of the characters that he's playing, they just refer to them all as Sam Jackson. Which gives us the very distinct impression that there's no separation between the actor and his performances -- is he really even acting, or is this just how he is in real life?