Nikos100 said:
At first, I thought Morgan Freeman should be on this list, even before I even got to the page. However, as
great an actor I think he is, I don't think he shows much range in the characters he plays; and by this, I mean to say that he will typically play roles in which he is typecast for (*cough* forensic pathologist). In no way am I suggesting that he
has no range ~he just isn't "allowed" to show that much range in the roles he plays. I love Morgan Freeman; I just don't think he
quite earns this title (just yet).
I think a great actor should be one who proves himself to be versatile & be able to play roles of varying levels of intellectual capability, as well as comedic talent, an actor who "pulls you in" every single time, an actor who can make you cry (and yeah, while watching the Shawshank Redemption, I totally cried but still), an actor who can make you think (lol as oxymoronic as that might seem) & an actor that you
always care about ~whether you love him or hate him, you want to see that he always gets what's coming to him.
Out of your list, Hoffman, Freeman and Pacino stand out. Again, I'm just not too sure I can vote for if any of those you've selected with full confidence. I'd thought of Wil Smith, as well. I know he isn't the Greatest (though he has played the Greatest..

), but he has shown that he can play far more serious roles with richer content, as well as off-the-wall comdies & senseless action roles to boot. Meh, I dunno. *shrug*