Top 5 Actors of the 70s
As discussed previously in this blog, we’ve already looked at the top five directors of the 70s. What’s a more fitting following post than the top five actors of the same decade. Now, when first looking at the decade of the 70s there are many potential actors that could break into the top five. So in order to narrow the list down we’ll be looking at both critic and commercial success as well as recognizability in association to the 70s.
5. John Travolta
Starting this list off is none other than the king of disco himself, John Travolta. John Travolta broke onto the scene with Saturday Night Fever in 1977. Saturday Night Fever follows a working-class young man who goes to his favorite disco club on the weekend. At the disco he’s the champion dancer and pinnacle of cool. Through this story you see not only the role dancing plays in his life but the harsh reality he faces in growing up. Travolta was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in Saturday Night Fever. The following year in 1978 Travolta stars in the hit musical Grease. Travolta plays a bad boy while his co-star Olivia Newton-John plays the good girl in a high school relationship taking place in the late 1950s. Travolta was yet again nominated for best actor but this time by the Golden Globes. Despite only releasing two films in the late 70s, Travolta makes this list due his name recognition and image as a 70s icon.
4. Clint Eastwood
Next is on this list is the cool, calm, and collected Clint Eastwood. It was during the 70s that Eastwood solidified his role as a tough guy. During the 70s Eastwood was a part of a whopping 15 films, most notably the Dirty Harry franchise, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Play Misty for Me, High Plains Drifter, and Escape from Alcatraz. While nearly all of his films gained critic and commercial success what separated Eastwood from fellow actors was his on-screen persona. No matter what character Eastwood played (from outsider and outlaw to San Fransisco police inspector) he commanded the room with a cool, calm, collected presence. Audiences from around the nation embraced Eastwood and simply couldn’t get enough of him.
3. Jack Nicholson
Coming in at number three is the undeniable talent that is Jack Nicholson. Nicholson acted in 16 films, most notably, Five Easy Pieces, The Last Detail, Chinatown, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. During this time he was nominated and awarded best actor by both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes multiple times. Nicholson is known for taking on uniques roles in which he plays eccentric, alienated, unpredictable, or troubled characters. He possesses the ability to take easily unlikable or unappealing characters and presents them in a way that grabs the audience. Nicholson has a strong following of fans and the awards and career to back it up.
2. Al Pacino
At a close second comes Al Pacino. Pacino acted in eight films, most notably, The Panic in the Needle Park, The Godfather, Serpico, The Godfather Part: 2, and Dog Day Afternoon. During the 70s Pacino received both critic and commercial success. However, what separates Pacino from the rest of the actors on this list so far is The Godfather franchise. With the first two installments of The Godfather franchise Pacino cemented himself not only as a 70s great but transcended into cinema history. It’s with his impeccable performance in these two particular films that he finds himself at number two on this list.
- Robert De Niro
Despite the many phenomenal performances given by actors, the 70s was undoubtedly the decade of De Niro. Robert De Niro acted in 14 movies, most notably, Mean Streets, The Godfather Part: 2, Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Deer Hunter. De Niro received immense critic and commercial success. He was nominated and awarded best actor and supporting actor from both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. During the 70s De Niro did it all and there seemed no limit to what he could do. He could be a family man, a gangster, an outsider, a hunter, a war hero, and yes, even a jazz saxophonist. What sets De Niro above any other actor in the 70s is his immense talent, versatility, and dedication to every role. De Niro has without a question earned a place in 70s film history and a spot as number one on this list.