No matter what time of year it is or what’s going on, we all have those specific actors or actresses that we will go see on opening night regardless of what movie they might be in. Some people are diehard fans that will go multiple times to support the movie, and there are some people that might catch it on DVD/Blu-ray or Netflix, but one thing that both share in common is that when it’s movie night, they will pick something that has their favorite actors in it, and that is what my list consists of for me personally. These are my choices for actors that I will always support and go see whether or not the movie actually looks any good. There is a difference between the best actors and someone’s favorite actors, and the latter is what follows.
Honorable Mentions
Justin Hartley – This is Us, Smallville, Revenge
Stephen Amell – Arrow, TMNT2
Chris Evans – Captain America: Civil War, Before We Go
Zac Efron –High School Musical, Charlie St. Cloud, Neighbors, 17 Again, The Lucky One, Me and Orson Welles
Top 5
5) James Marsden – The Best of Me, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, X-Men, Superman Returns
Marsden has been in almost every genre of film. He has done the action genre with X-Men and Superman Returns, but has also shown off some comedic chops portraying the antagonist in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and the human Easter bunny in Hop. His charm and charisma also led to him being in two different Nicholas Sparks-adaptations: The Notebook and The Best of Me. His ability to portray a very likable and believable character – even if they are the antagonist – has led to him to star in and carry some respectable movies so far in his career. Did I mention that he can sing? Remember Hairspray, anyone?
4) John Krasinski – The Office, The Hollars, 13 Hours, The Muppets, Promised Land
Krasinski has one of those personalities that people will never get tired of. On-camera, he brings a strong presence that resonates with audiences, and off-camera he is the biggest goofball (especially when Jimmy Kimmel is involved). Most people will know him as Jim Halpert from the NBC comedy The Office, but he also co-wrote and starred alongside Matt Damon in Promised Land and starred in George Clooney's Leatherheads. Most recently, he was a soldier in the Michael Bay film 13 Hours that saw him as the standout performer, and he also has The Hollars coming out soon – which he directed and starred in. In addition, he is the new lead in the title role of the Amazon series as Jack Ryan, which currently hasn't set a release date yet.
4. Christopher Reeve Superman II, Somewhere in Time
Reeve was such a wonderful person that left this world much too soon. He was a star actor back in his prime, and even after his tragic horse-riding accident in 1995, he still achieved success despite being a quadriplegic. He also graduated from Julliard for acting and was great friends with Robin Williams there. In my opinion, the 1982 movie he starred in, Somewhere in Time, is one of the most beautiful and masterful movies of all-time. Having said that, he will forever be remembered as the definitive Superman. He made the world believe a man could fly.
2) Ben Affleck – The Town, Argo, Gone Girl, Gone Baby Gone, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Affleck might be one of the most talented people to ever step foot in the entertainment industry. In the last 10 years, he has been a homerun hitter for WB. He is already widely regarded as one of the best directors in Hollywood - which he should be after directing, writing, and starring such amazing action/suspense-thrillers like Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo, and Gone Girl. Batfleck might already be the best on-screen iteration of Batman that we’ve ever gotten, it by the look of what’s to come, he might only get better. Affleck’s ability to master characterization and balance that with a suspenseful, cohesive plot and provide beautiful cinematography has him ranked among the elite in the business. His next two films, The Accountant and Live By Night, are in the early buzz for Oscar consideration as well.
1) Tom Welling – Smallville, Draft Day, The Choice, Parkland, Cheaper by the Dozen
Welling is my favorite actor in Hollywood. Ever since I saw him in Smallville,
he has been the one actor I always look to when I’m looking for
inspiration in my life. Sure, there are similar physical
characteristics, and yeah, our personalities are somewhat similar, but
the way he carries himself on and off camera has always amazed me. He
has such a likability and gravitas to his performances that often gets
overshadowed by how bad the project might be, or how small his role is. He has also had the opportunity to work with some great actors
like Kevin Costner (Draft Day), Zac Efron (Parkland), Steve Martin (Cheaper by the Dozen), and Teresa Palmer (The Choice). Welling also has his own production company, Tom Welling Productions, which saw him as a producer for the CW show Hellcats. Last December he developed a CBS show titled Section 13 that he was set to produce and star in this fall - co-creating it with Bones producer and writer Carla Kettner - but it didn’t make the final cut at the network. Even though Section 13 isn't happening, I still can't wait to see which project he'll tackle next - I just hope it's sooner rather than later.
