5. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Arguably the most underrated actor working today, Chiwetel Ejiofor has gone almost unnoticed despite leaving indelible marks on some of the best films of the last decade and a half. His first substantial role was an interpreter in Spielberg's Amistad in 1997, followed up five years later with an acclaimed turn in 2002's Dirty Pretty Things. In 2005, he was arguably the best part of Joss Whedon's Serenity and the following year he had substantial turns in Spike Lee's Inside Man and Alfonso Cuaron's groundbreaking Children of Men. He proved his value once again in 2007's American Gangster before appearing in a few blockbusters, including Salt and 2012. This year, Ejiofor will star in his biggest role to date as the main character in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave which should be a major player during awards season. Ejiofor embodies almost everything you could want in an actor, he is willing to disappear into the fabric of a movie but at the same time is completely capable of taking over a movie when it is needed. His best work so far has been in supporting roles but if 12 Years A Slave lives up to its potential and Ejiofor becomes a leading man, there's no telling how far his talent will take him.