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When I think of my favorite actors I immediately think of my favorite films and how they moved me. Whether it is Jamie Foxx in Ray, the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, Denzel Washington as Alonzo in Training Day or Robert Downey Jr playing a LA beat writer covering a schizophrenic musician. The roles the actors portrayed in these films really sets them apart from their Hollywood counterparts. I would like to share my opinion on who I think the greats are and why in no particular order.

First actor that comes to mind when I think 'wow anything this actor makes, I am there on opening night to see it' is Denzel Washington no actor can embody their character like Denzel. The first film that really made me realize him as elite in the movie industry was Spike Lee's Malcolm X. Denzel played the fallen Civil rights leader as if he had experienced all of the triumphs and shortcomings Malcolm experienced in his lifetime. One scene that stands out to me is when Malcolm travels to Mecca the holiest meeting site of the Islamic religion. To watch Denzel take in the knowledge and spiritual cleansing he needed at that point in his life. Of course Denzel wouldn't be Denzel without the role that won him best actor in a leading role when he took on the part of Alonzo Harris a highly decorated NARC officer for the LAPD. In the film he embodies what a narcotic's officer on the take in LA is all about. From his signature laughs to the greatest line "King Kong aint got s* on me" He will have you believe that he really is a cop and has been for all of his adult life.

Second actor I think of when thinking when thinking sheer greatness is Robert Downey Jr. Since the age of five Robert has been on screen and improving in each film he does. Whether he is playing Derek Lutz in Back to School with the late Rodney Dangerfield or Charlie Chaplin he gives his all too every film. He also single handily saved the film Tropic Thunder from being a terrible film to being tolerable. His portrayal of Kirk Lazarus was indeed the highlight of the film. Although dubbed a comedy Downey played his role of a repressed African American to the tee. I truly believe only better things are to come for this actor with Iron Man 2 releasing in 2010.

Third, I choose Samuel Jackson who I deem the best actor to never win an Oscar. Sam has played several pivotal roles for example when he played Carl Lee Hailey in Joel Schumacher's A Time to Kill. After his daughter was raped by in a small southern town Carl Lee kills the men responsible and has to stand trial for his life. A famous line never to be forgotten is "Yes I think they deserve to die and I hope they burn in Hell" - this line was spoken with true conviction and feeling that the viewer has to be on Carl Lee's side. Samuel's brilliance doesn't stop there. In the film Black Snake Moan Samuel plays a musician named Laz who helps a young girl who has been a victim of sexual abuse since childhood. Laz keeps her chained to a heater in his home to "force the evil out of her" The passion and love that Laz shows toward his supporting actress is truly superb. With over 125 movies on his resume Jackson is far from done. I look forward to all his future endeavors, most notably his role as Nick Fury in the film The Avengers slated to come to theaters 2012.

Learn more about this author, Jamel King.
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