3. Joaquin Phoenix
Best known for playing dark, troubled characters, there are few actors who throw themselves so completely and utterly into their roles as Joaquin Phoenix does. Phoenix played in a series of small films in the 90's where he earned acclaim but was not very well known. In 2000 however, Phoenix became one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood after earning an Academy Award nomination for his brilliant portrayal of the deranged Roman emperor Commodus in the acclaimed film Gladiator. After that, Phoenix turned in excellent performances in Signs, Hotel Rwanda, and the Village before being cast in one of his most prominent roles in Walk the Line, earning another Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. After a bizarre fake retirement that took him out of movies for a few years, Phoenix returned to give one of the great performances in modern movie history when he played the troubled war veteran Freddie Quells in the Master. Phoenix perfectly played his character right on the edge of overacting, but was able to keep the role just believable enough to make it seem as if Phoenix isn't just playing the role so much as living it. Phoenix has several interesting roles lined up, including Spike Jonze's upcoming film Her as well as Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film Inherent Vice. Phoenix is easily one of the most talented actors working today and is well on the way to becoming one of the acclaimed.