3. Chiwetel Ejiofor
If all it takes is one role, I think Chiwetel Ejiofor may have just found his one role. After ladling out memorable supporting performances in things like Children of Men and Serenity, Ejiofor finally hit his stride and stuck the actor's landing with his recent turn as refined gentleman-turned-slave in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. He's the favorite so far to win the Oscar, and I'd be very surprised if the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio could swipe it out from under him. In 12 Years a Slave, Ejiofor stands toe to toe with Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberfanlove as they do their best scenery chewing and more than holds his own in the face of that rapidly-consumed scenery. It is Ejiofor's year. Ejiofor ejio-for Best Actor!