These leading men are some of the industry's most respected and well-known actors. They carry the bulk of their films with style, confidence, and expertise. They are the real deal. These are the kind of guys that make all of us other guys dream about being actors ourselves. They set the stage and raise the bar with their talent and dedication. And of course, their striking good looks!
Favorite Actor Nominees:
Tom Cruise | as Major William Cage in Edge of Tomorrow |
 | I bet you're not surprised to see Tom Cruise on this list! Though if you've seen Edge of Tomorrow, I doubt you'll find much reason to protest this worthy nomination. Love him or hate him, Tom Cruise gives one of the greatest performances of his action movie career as William Cage. He's so much fun to watch as he transitions from a cowardly, inexperienced pencil pusher into a bonafide bad ass. Tom, you still got it! |
Michael Keaton | as Riggan Thomson in Birdman |
 | There could not have been a more perfect casting for Birdman than Michael Keaton, especially when you consider that Keaton's career as Batman draws many parallels to Riggan Thomson's career as Birdman. With that said, Keaton completely owns the role, demonstrating his remarkable talent as his character teeters on the verge of a complete meltdown. He gives Riggan a spectacular edginess in his vulnerability. |
Tom Hardy | as Bob Saginowski in The Drop |
 | Tom Hardy digs deep beneath the surface in his refined performance as bartender Bob Saginowski. He plays this quiet and calm character with an intriguing level of complexity. He speaks softly, appearing mostly harmless and naively innocent, but there's much more to Bob than meets the eye. Hardy has you sympathizing with this fascinating character, and even moreso when his secrets are finally revealed. |
Chris Pratt | as Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in Guardians of the Galaxy |
 | Pratt's performance as Star-Lord has led him to instant stardom. With this one movie, he jumped straight to the A-list, and with good reason. Pratt is unforgettable as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. and he danced his way into our hearts with a good dose of humor and coolness. He makes Star-Lord feel hip and modern, giving us a hero we can relate to perhaps more than any other in Marvel's extensive roster. |
Brad Pitt | as Sergeant Don "Wardaddy" Collier in Fury |
 | We meet Wardaddy as World War II is coming to an end, with the allied forces closing in on Nazi Germany. He's a character that has seen unspeakable horrors in combat and who has been molded by the war. Brad Pitt gives a sincere and tragic portrayal of a courageous man who has dedicated his life to protecting his men and fighting for his country. We sympathize with his struggle and respect his uncompromising bravery. |
And the Winner is...
Tom Hardy
(The Drop)
Favorite Actor
Tom Hardy gives one of the most understated performances of the year in The Drop. He is riveting as Bob Saginowski, a lowly bartender in New York who works at his cousin's bar. Bob appears unadjusted to the outside world that lies beyond his job, and lives predominantly in the shadow of his only friend, his cousin Marv. He remains unusually calm in the heat of the moment, even in the face of crime and violence. Of all things, it is the discovery of an abandoned puppy that helps Bob to open up beyond his ordinarily confined world, and it allows him to truly begin to make a life for himself. Hardy plays Bob with a gentle kindness and an aura of curiosity around him. While Bob may seem like a simple man, Hardy, little by little, reveals that there is more to him. His performance is even more gripping when the truth finally comes out, leading to one the best and most tense movie moments of 2014. With another strong performance under his belt, Hardy shows that he is an elite actor and belongs among Hollywood's best and brightest stars.
| Tell me what you think! Do you agree or disagree? Vote for which nominee is your Favorite Actor of the Year! Share your own choices in the comments below! | |
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