Actors with great track records

An actor I can always rely on is Willem Dafoe. He was the best thing about "Platoon," hilariously flamboyant in "Boondock Saints," and unbelievably creepy in "Shadow of the Vampire." On the actress side, definitely Julia Roberts. She may not always make great movies, but she is always the highlight of them. My other favorites include:
Daniel Day-Lewis
Alan Rickman
Meryl Streep
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Samantha Morton

On the other hand, I can't exactly rely on Halle Berry or Robin Williams anymore. I guess the Oscar curse really does exist!

Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet are right on the money as the top 2. Laura Linney (Primal Fear, Mystic River, The Savages, P.S.) would definitely be my 3rd choice. I was surprised to see my next choice not on the list to vote: Jennifer Connelly (Requiem for a Dream, A Beautiful Mind, Little Children, Blood Diamond). As for the male side of the argument: I love the choice of Edward Norton as he has been one of my favorite actors since Primal Fear. However, I do realize that this is not a contest for favorite actor but reliable actors with great track records. I enjoy Christian Bale's work as well, but after Norton and before Bale I HAVE TO place Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson's War, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, The Savages in 2007 alone...Capote, 25th Hour, The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights, Twister) and also Mark Whalberg (Basketball Diaries, Fear, Booie Nights, 3 Kings, Perfect Storm, I Heart Huckabees, The Departed, Shooter) simply because the number of good movies that they are both in totally outweighs the movies Bale was in. Daniel Day-Lewis is the greatest actor alive, but he comes out with a movie every 4 years and doesn't take enough risks...that's why you can't say anything bad about his work... Meryl Streep's best work is behind her... Julia Roberts hasn't been appealing since Conspiracy Theory (1997), and that movie stunk... And finally..., did I just see Joseph Gordon Levitt mentioned below Daniel Day-Lewis??? The kid from Angels in the Outfield??? Really??? Give me a break!

Agree with those you've identified; many of them will get us to see a movie just because they're in it. The one comment that made me (almost audibly) say "WTF?" was "a more talented version of Jodie Foster." Mature people learn that belittling others doesn't make them bigger; you should have recognized the same goes for you opinions of excellent actors.

I think it's rude and untrue of you to say Christian Bale is a more talented version of Jodie Foster. Jodie Foster has been a brilliant actor since she was a kid. There's no need to belittle her talent just to make Christian Bale look better. In fact, she would be suited to this list because even in bad movies like the Brave One she is counted on to give a great performance.

You're only praising Bale because he puts on a different look and accent with every role, which to me doesn't make you the best actor just a flashy, indulgent one. Foster has more depth and screen presence than Bale. I prefer depth over a different accent and look. Give me Foster in Silence of the Lambs and the Accused and Taxi Driver over Bale in Batman anyday.

Laugh if you want, but Bruce Willis actually has a prety good track record it the movie department... Hudson Hawk is a blight on his otherwise pretty good resume.

I just read the article and I do agree with everyone except Christian Bale. To tell you the truth I still can't place him in a picture. Some of my personal favorites are:

Denzel Washington
Jodie Foster
Drew Barrymore
Meg Ryan

I know the last two are a big stretch, but I still them them
Shirley

I can't let this topic pass without mentioning John Cazale. Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, Godfather I and II, and the Deer Hunter. That's it. That's his resume.

And consider the career of Robert Duvall. He's done some breath-taking work.

I think you missed out by not including Kevin Bacon on this list. Even if the films are bad....he is always compelling to watch. And he takes great risks with his role choices.

I'd like to add Leo DiCaprio to my list. He's got an excellent track record (Aviator, Departed, Gilbert Grape), though I'm sure they're are differences of opinion on "The Beach" and "Titanic." It's just a matter of taste, but you have to admit his movies are both pleasing to critics and to audiences. Kudos to mentioning Denzel Washington, but I'm not sure I would include Meg Ryan. Her career seems to be going in the direction of her face! John Cazale did have a great career, but his characters seem way to similar in each of his films. That would be like mentioning Jack Nicholson... even though he's done many great characters and some bad ones, you can't help but to see more Jack rather than depth of character. I'll be polite and keep my mouth shut on Kevin Bacon. I will just say one thing... Hollow Man.

By the way, in defense of Joseph Gordon Levitt, you can't hold him to one kid's film he did back in the day. A lot of kids did like that movie. However, he's had a pretty impressive adult career so far. Check out "The Lookout." Also, the reason Daniel Day-Lewis doesn't do a lot of films is because he is smart. He never plays the same character twice, and he is brilliant in absolutely every movie he's in. He has done several films that were never released in the states. Check out "The Boxer," one of his best roles.

Got someone to add....Kevin Spacey. American Beauty, The Usual Suspects, Seven, Midnight in the garden of Good and Evil, Looking for Richard....nuff said.

what happened to Robert De'niro,Al Pacino,and oh my God Denzel Washington? are you people crazy? you can't ask for better actors then those guys,as for women ,how about Alfre Woodard,Angela Bassett?

who are these people that's doing the voting ? what happened to Robert De'niro ,Al Pacino and oh my God Denzel Washington ? and as for the Women ,Alfre Woodard,Betty Davis ,Joan Crawford,oh a few more men,Jack Nicolson,Morgan Freeman,Samuel Jackson don't just go on the looks ,go with the craft

I wonder who they would have added if they hadn't put Laura Linney in the vote twice.