Considering the fact that the action genre is as old as movies themselves, it should be no surprise that, over the decades, some truly fantastic action stars have starred in the best action movies of all time, however, these ten in particular are the absolute best. The following action stars have not simply played their roles well. In reality, they embody their characters from their costumes and lines, all the way down to their unique fighting style. Above all, the greatest action heroes are those that have cemented themselves into popular culture through their action movies, or better yet, changed the action genre forever.
The following ten actors are the best action heroes of all time, ranked. While this list could easily be much longer, it is narrowed down to include only those actors who rose to fame in the broader action genre. Therefore, action stars that specialized in the best martial arts movies or the best western movies are not included on this list. Though they have certainly made their impact on the genre, actors within those niches likely deserve their own list altogether. Therefore, here are the ten greatest action stars of all time.
10 Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson’s rise to action hero fame is a unique one because, unlike most action stars, this genre is not where he started. The Irish actor began his career in the 1980s but earned his breakout role as Oskar Schindler in 1992’s Schindler’s List. Afterward, he was cast in major franchises, such as Star Wars and The Chronicles of Narnia. It wasn’t until 2008 though that Neeson finally broke into the action genre. From Taken to The A-Team, Neeson stands out because of his versatility and unexpectedness. He may be older and less buff than other action stars, but he can still capture an audiences’ attention with his rugged charm.
9 Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson is another action star with a unique career path. First and foremost, he began his career not in acting, but as a professional wrestler, earning the nickname, “The Rock.” In 2001, he quickly took the film industry by storm, starring in action films like The Scorpion King, Hercules, San Andreas, and the Fast & Furious franchise. Johnson is another action star with amazing range and digestibility. The Rock impresses both adult and youth audiences, and thus, is likable to nearly all viewers. Despite being strong and serious on-screen, there’s no doubt that he is a kind person, and for that, he is an action hero to look up to.
8 Tom Cruise
Although Tom Cruise made his name in dramas, he has undoubtedly embraced his action hero status. Cruise first entered the action genre in 1986 in Top Gun, but it took about a decade for him to return to the genre with the Mission: Impossible franchise. Other later films include Minority Report, War of the Worlds, and Edge of Tomorrow. Ultimately, what makes Tom Cruise special is his dedication. Cruise is well-known for performing his own stunts, including cliff jumps and flying planes. This drive to not only portray an action star, but to be an action star in real life is definitely something to be impressed by.
7 Jason Statham
An actor that was arguably born to be an action star is Jason Statham. Best known for films such as The Expendables and the Fast & Furious franchise, Statham has been a part of the action genre since the late 1990s, and his career is still going strong. Though it may seem strange for an actor to continuously play very similar roles, Statham’s ability to embody action characters simply makes him perfect for the job. Having studied martial arts in his youth, and also being a footballer and diver, Statham is ideal action hero material, and these days, he has certainly been cemented as action hero royalty.
6 Kurt Russell
Despite being one of the older actors on this list, Kurt Russell is still pervasive in the action genre, and for this, he is most definitely impressive. Though Russell’s acting career began in his youth, it wasn’t until the 1980s that he became a fixture of the action genre. In particular, Russell’s collaborations with director John Carpenter like Escape From New York and The Thing brought the actor deeper into the genre with films like Tango & Cash and Tombstone. Russell is also a unique action star because of his tendency towards vulnerability. He positively influenced the genre by showing that an action hero can be both heroic and emotional.
5 Keanu Reeves
Though Keanu Reeves has worked in many different genres, his greatest successes seem to be his action roles, and most likely, this is not a coincidence. Reeves had his breakthrough role in 1989 with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and in that same period, he established himself in the action genre with films like Point Break and Speed. However, Reeves shot to true action hero status with two major franchises: The Matrix and John Wick. Keanu Reeves has the energy of a kind and gentle man, but when it comes to his action movies, the actor can be especially ruthless and dangerous. In this way, he is both enjoyable and dynamic.
4 Bruce Willis
Having starred in over one hundred movies, Bruce Willis has had an incredible career that all began with one single role. In 1988, Willis made waves in the action genre with his portrayal of John McClane in Die Hard. The movie’s success, and the success of its sequels, catapulted Willis into unbelievable fame, and from there, he continued his climb into action hero stardom. Some of Willis’ best movies include Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys and The Sixth Sense. Though Willis has retired from acting, his impact in the genre and Hollywood at large is significant. His portrayals of rough-and-tumble characters are iconic.
3 Sylvester Stallone
It’s impossible to talk action stars and not bring up the iconic performances of Sylvester Stallone. In 1976, Stallone punched a hole through the action genre with his breakout role as Rocky Balboa in Rocky. From there, he made his name in franchises of his own creation including the Rocky sequels, Rambo, and The Expendables. For a time, Stallone was one of the highest-paid actors of the era. Ultimately, Sylvester Stallone is nothing short of an icon in the action genre. His long-running action franchises mean his name has never once been forgotten. And even in his 70s, Stallone continues to make his mark in the action genre.
2 Harrison Ford
The oldest action hero on this list is also one of the most quintessential. Harrison Ford’s first ever starring role as Han Solo in 1977’s Star Wars was all that was necessary to make him an incredible movie star. Along with four Star Wars sequels, Ford went on to star in franchises like Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, and Jack Ryan. Although these films are far from his only acting credits, they make up his most popular roles, and in the end, these parts are the reason that Ford is forever considered a cultural icon. His undeniable charm and embodiment of the quick-thinking, physically adept action hero make him absolutely unforgettable.
1 Arnold Schwarzenegger
The best action hero of all time is Arnold Schwarzenegger. This actor did not simply play action heroes; he was one. In his youth, Schwarzenegger made a name for himself as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Then, in the 1980s, he pivoted to acting and starred in Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator franchise. The Terminator alone was enough to secure the Austrian actor’s fame, and yet, he continued to build a flourishing career in movies and politics. With his iconic accent, iconic name, and iconic look, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the type of action hero that cannot be ignored, and for this reason, he is the best.
