10. Russell Crowe
Despite being criticized recently for not being able to sing in Les Miserables, few actors have achieved a more impressive career than Russell Crowe. Crowe broke out in the late 90's with acclaimed performances in two of the most memorable films of the era: L.A Confidential and the Insider. He didn't become a household name until 2000 when his performance as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in Ridley Scott's film Gladiator, won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. His performance in Gladiator is one of the iconic performances of the 2000's and Maximus is often listed among the best movie characters of all time. Crowe further showcased his abilities in films like Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, American Gangster, and Body of Lies. Crowe is still going strong as he is set to play Jor-El in the upcoming Man of Steel as well as the titular character in Darren Aronofsky's upcoming biblical epic Noah.