5. Bryan Cranston
What can I say about this man that hasn't already been said lately? If you've been watching the outstanding Breaking Bad you will know just how good this man really is, playing the ever-brilliant and tragic Walter White. If you haven't watched it? Err go watch it...like now! Many people will know Cranston from the hit TV comedy Malcolm in the Middle in which he plays the father Hal, another brilliant show in its own right. However, before Cranston gained recognition for Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle he really wasn't known for much else. Sure he popped up in a few other sitcoms - most notably Seinfeld among others - but he really was just going through the motions as an actor. He just really needed that one job that allowed him to showcase his great range as an actor. He got the initial platform with Malcolm showing fantastic comedic timing and a character easy to relate to and sympathize with. Then once that show finished a new opportunity came along in the form of Breaking Bad. A show now so admired and critically acclaimed that it has garnered such praise as 'The best TV show ever' among many other plaudits. Cranston completely steals the show in Breaking Bad, much like he did in Malcolm to be fair, and this has in turn led to him creating a very creditable film career with Argo, Drive, Godzilla. If that wasn't enough he has also been strongly linked to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming Man Of Steel sequel, or a possible James Gordon in a new Batman franchise. I would prefer he was Gordon but let's be honest he'd be fantastic as either. All in all a great example of if you have the talent and the right material to work with you will get the recognition you deserve.