20 Most Influential Actors Of All Time

An early pioneer of the method acting technique, Marlon Brando is still considered by many critics as the greatest actor of all time. And it's no wonder why. His cultural influence is massive, and thanks to some truly unforgettable roles he is an icon of the screen. Able to play both rugged leading men, charming rebels and menacing bad guys, his unorthodox delivery and easy screen presence made him one of the most popular and imitated actors of his day.

Most will of course remember Brando for his career-defining as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, but it is earlier roles in A Streetcar Named Desire, The Wild One and On the Waterfront that made him so popular and so lauded by critics and fellow actors of the era.

His method acting technique was very peculiar at the time, and he would often go to great lengths to perfectly capture the essence of his character. He was able to easily understand his characters, and could display a wide range of emotions as an actor. He was at his best, however, when angry or conflicted, as his ability to show the deep-rooted pain, anxieties and rage was often unrivalled.

On a whole, the influence of Brando is enormous. An actor who changed the very way in which other actors think and perform, Brando helped usher in a new age to Hollywood with a plethora of complex but expertly executed roles that will be remembered for years to come.