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There are objective and subjective workings going on when choosing a favorite actor. A terrible actor may have been the source of a major crush in grade school. A great actor may have made a strong impression while starring in a string of bad films. A not so attractive character actor may have delivering nothing less than a stream of the most memorable performances. A major star may have been a one or two hit wonder.

As a result, the expected criteria: looks, acting ability, awards and venue do not work. David Hasselhoff is a mega star in Europe. He was a great looking star on a highly popular American television show. Now, he's regaining affection as the eccentric judge on a national talent competition. As an actor? Who cares?

Al Pacino, on the other hand, is a frame by frame actor. In every frame where he is visible, he grabs our attention and gives us something show for our work. Robert Di Niro is the same frame by frame actor, but is a versatile performer who can play a comedic role as well as he can a heart wrenching dramatic role.

Some actors are icons, not only for their incredible acting ability, but for their groundbreaking and institutional level bodies of work. Pacino and Di Niro are on the list. Charlie Chaplin, Lee J. Cobb, Gregory Peck, Peter Sellers, Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, are just a few examples. There are many younger actors who are still building their own institutions: Will Smith, Charlieze Theron, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman, and George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Phillip Seymour Hoffman come to mind.

The greatest actors who lived in the twilight world of the television screen come to mind: James Arness, Carrol O'Connor, Red Foxx, Jimmy Smits, Dennis Weaver, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Michael J. Fox, Alan Alda, Jennifer Aniston, Michael Landon, William Shatner, Dick Van Dyke, Jackie Gleason, and Mary Tyler Moore.

Others were solid character actors who we struggle to find names for when they come up in conversation or when we watch an older movie or show. Dennis Weaver, Hattie McDaniel, Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Shelly Winters, Ed O'Neil, Khandi Alexander, Pat Buttram, Nancy Culp, Michael Landon, Forest Whittaker, Kathy Bates, and a host of others, old and new, are the backbone any production, whether in film, television or the stage.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth M. Young.
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