The 20 best contemporary actors (no particular order)

Jake Gyllenhaal worked as a child actor in films like City Slickers and A Dangerous Woman before starring in the indie classic Donnie Darko in 2001. He later starred opposite Heath Ledger in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, for which Gyllenhaal received an Oscar nomination.

Leonardo DiCaprio is known for his good looks and edgy, unconventional roles. DiCaprio started out in television in the early 1990s. This Boy's Life with Robert De Niro was his first major film role. In 1997, DiCaprio starred James Cameron's epic drama Titanic, followed by Gangs of New York, The Departed, Shutter Island, Inception, and most recently Django Unchained & Wolf of Wall Street.

Jared Leto's breakthrough role was on the show My So-Called Life, starring Claire Danes. A film career followed, including roles in Fight Club, Requiem for a Dream, & the remarkable performance in Dallas Buyers Club, playing Rayon.

Heath Ledger's breakout role was in the film 10 Things I Hate About You with Julia Stiles. Ledger received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his role in Brokeback Mountain. In 2008, after completing filming on Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, his role as the joker brought universal acclaim. Heath sadly died of a drug overdose in 2008.

Giovanni Ribisi began acting as a child and made a transition from television to film in his 20s. He has performed a range of character roles in movies ranging from period dramas like Saving Private Ryan and Public Enemies to the action thriller Contraband, the comedy Ted and the sci-fi fantasy hit Avatar.

Joaquin Phoenix followed the footsteps of his brother, River Phoenix, into Hollywood fame as an actor, starring in such films as Gladiator and Walk the Line, for which he won both the Golden Globe and the Oscar.

Timothy Olyphant is known for his television work as Sheriff Seth Bullock in Deadwood, and Wes Krulik in Damages. He has also starred in the films Scream 2, Gone in 60 Seconds, Die Hard 4.0, & The Crazies. Since 2010, he has played Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens in the hit series Justified.

Paul Dano has starred in Little Miss Sunshine, There Will Be Blood, Knight & Day, Cowboys and Aliens, Prisoners, and 12 Years a Slave.

Casey Affleck is the younger brother of actor Ben Affleck, Casey has established a career as an actor in his own right. Beginning with smaller roles in films such as To Die For with Joaquin Phoenix and Chasing Amy with his older brother. He found a much more significant role in the film Good Will Hunting. In 2007, Affleck turned in two acclaimed performances, as the murderous Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and as a introspective private investigator in his brother's hit directorial debut Gone, Baby, Gone. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Ford.

Javier Bardem was born into an acting clan and eventually embarked on a film career. He's worked with director Pedro Almodóvar and earned Academy Award nominations for his roles in Before Night Falls and Biutiful. winning for his chilling role in No Country For Old Men. He has latterly played a Bond villain in Skyfall.