GREATEST LIVING ACTOR? HAH!

Documentation for a mild little debate we're having.

De Niro, says the BBC, is "cinema's greatest living actor," although they note that he has "never made a masterpiece without his fellow New Yorker [Scorcese] at the helm." Not being a fan of Scorcese's favored artistic scenario (gritty ethnic nutball has violent encounters), I have a symmetrical disinterest in De Niro.

I thought De Niro was considered the greatest by acclamation, but even with the help of Google it's hard to find all those breathless raves I have read over the years. De Niro was voted greatest actor of all time in this obscure poll and this online survey (nosing out the Laird's favorite).

Paul Newman and John Gielgud have won polls. Also Al Pacino. And I suppose these guys have a right to be included in the conversation.

I would add the man who is obviously a contender, but hasn't won any polls and didn't win two Oscars:

So the nominees might be (in alphabetical order):

Marlon Brando
Gary Cooper
Robert De Niro
John Gielgud
Tom Hanks
Dustin Hoffman
Charles Laughton
Frederic March
Paul Newman
Jack Nicholson
Al Pacino
Spencer Tracy

That gives an even dozen, though I suppose Bogart and Grant belong on that list as well. Now...who the hell is Frederic March?!

[ Ahem...

1) I'm tempted to dismiss, out of hand, your nominees Messrs. Laughton, Tracy, March, Cooper, and Sir John Gielgud, for the title of "Greatest Living Actor" as they are, to my understanding, no longer living.

2) To those who claim that DeNiro has not made a masterpiece outside of the directorial supervision of Scorcese, I might refer them to a film, released early in his career, entitled: "The Godfather, Part II."

3) Tom Hanks? I thought you wanted to identify the "Greatest Living Actor," not "Most Overrated Movie Star."

-LoM]