Best British Actor or Actress?

[Biddlybee]

Gary Oldman, Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Peter O'Toole (oh his voice )... is he Irish though?

Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith are alright too

 

[Detroit City]

, Judi Dench,

that fat old cow? you must be joking

 

[QueenOfGoths]

that fat old cow? you must be joking

I assume you are joking rather than just being a tit.

She is one of the finest actors of her or any generation both on film, TV but especially on stage. I also think you'll find she is quite petite and slim

 

[dlx1]

Alec Guinness

Ladykillers
linking on to Peter Sellers
Sean Connery but he from Scotland

 

[Biddlybee]

Scotland is in Britain

 

[Structaural]

He's not British if he's irish

He's as Irish as me. He was born in facking Landun.

 

[Structaural]

Mine are Anthony Hopkins, Alan Bates, Michael Gambon, Robert Carlyle, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Kate Winslet, Judi Dench and lately Dominic West (dude from the Wire). I've a soft spot for Tim Roth as he went to my school. If I had to pick one it probably would be Hopkins.

 

[belboid]

Tim Roth & Miranda Richardson of the living. Maybe Christian Bale & Tilda Swinton up there too.

From the dead, either Roger Livesy or Dirk Bogarde and Madeleine Carroll or Beryl Reid

 

[El Jefe]

I think Tilda Swinton is the best living British actress. Have to think about the dead'uns, and the blokes.

Bale's shite. Smirking fool

 

[Biddlybee]

I've only ever seen her in Orlando, and that was quite odd.

 

[Stigmata]

Bernard Cribbins.

 

[dodgepot]

martin clunes

 

[Artie Fufkin]

Alfred Molina

Helena Bonham Carter

 

[D]

Alfred Molina is great
Michael Gambon
Zoe Wanamaker (though I've only seen her perform once - it was pretty awesome, in Electra)
Simon Callow

But my favorite theater makers from the UK are Theatre du Complicite

 

[mattie]

I've seen Paddy Considine in some good films.

I also quite like Roger Moore, but I can't readily explain why.

 

[killer b]

cary grant.

 

[N_igma]

Laurence Olivier is dead.

You want a medal?

God help a JC "Best British Playwrite" thread if you can only mention the living one's.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

cary grant.

Does he count?

His North-by-Northwest costar James Mason, for me.

 

[vogonity]

David Thewlis
Gary Oldman
Kenneth Brannagh
Vanessa Redgrave
Marion Jean Baptiste
Tilda Swinton
Jonathan Slinger

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Another vote for Judi Dench.

Iris and Notes on a Scandal

Brilliant performances.

 

[Firky]

He's not British if he's irish

Born in England raised in Ireland, dipshit

 

[Kaka Tim]

Tim Roth, Ray Winstone, Sean Connery, Terrance Stamp, Ben Kingsley, Alec Guiness, Ian Holme, Michael Caine, Robert Carlyle, Robert Lyndsey

Helena Bonham Carter, Mirander Richardson, Julie Christie, Julie Walters. hmm ... slightly slim pickings when it comes to the ladies


Lauerecne Olivier was a hugely overated old ham.

Gary Oldham is shit as well.

Ian Mc Kellen, Anthony Hopkins etc are all very good technically - but far too heartless and lovie for me.

 

[Structaural]

Born in England raised in Ireland, dipshit

wasn't. Boarded in Sevenoaks actually, darlink.

The only thing that makes him Irish is his Irish dad. He's a posh boy from Greenwich.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Tim Roth, Ray Winstone, Sean Connery, Terrance Stamp, Ben Kingsley, Alec Guiness, Ian Holme, Michael Caine, Robert Carlyle, Robert Lyndsey

Helena Bonham Carter, Mirander Richardson, Julie Christie, Julie Walters. hmm ... slightly slim pickings when it comes to the ladies


Lauerecne Olivier was a hugely overated old ham.

Gary Oldham is shit as well.

Ian Mc Kellen, Anthony Hopkins etc are all very good technically - but far too heartless and lovie for me.

Can't agree with you on that. Yes he had his moments but was an exceptional actor who, were he young today, would still stand in the forefront of British talent.

As for Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellan they both have balls in their acting and are not afraid to try something which may fail - rather like Olivier - which to me makes them a cut above a lot of dull mediocrity which passes for 'good' acting. When they are bad they are very bad. But when they are good they are spellbinding

 

[Annierak]

Actress - Liz Smith
Actor - John Hurt

 

[poului]

Lauerecne Olivier was a hugely overated old ham.

LOL you tit. Watch 'Marathon Man' and say that again.

Go on.

 

[Structaural]

Can't agree with you on that. Yes he had his moments but was an exceptional actor who, were he young today, would still stand in the forefront of British talent.

He was essentially a stage actor too, that takes a different kind of actor from those who look good on film.

 

[Kaka Tim]

LOL you tit. Watch 'Marathon Man' and say that again.

Go on.

He's fine in that - but its nothing special. He's being arch and evil with an RP accent- hardly streching him is it?

Larry, Hopkins and Ian Makellen are all classic britsh theatrical hams. Lots of technique, beautiful declamation - no soul.

And watch wuthering hieghts - Olivier is just so shit as heathcliff. Too posh - too actorly.


Another nomination for favourite actors - Oliver Reed

 

[Augie March]

No mention of Paddy Considine? *shakes head

 

[Flashman]

Robert Hardy
Leonard Rossiter
Nicholas Grace
Ollie Reed
Paddy Considine
Samantha Morton
Dennis Price
Glenda Jackson
Joan Greenwood
Stanley Baker
Robert Shaw
Nicol Williamson
Murray Melvin


...and loads more but can't be arsed.