1. Sean Connery And James Bond
"The names Bond, James Bond." Sean Connery played the famed international spy, James Bond, from 1962 to 1983. The man of mystery was Connery's claim to fame, although he didn't want to take the role initially. However, choosing the part made him the third-greatest hero in cinematic history.
After the Bond movies, Connery left the franchise because he said, "I am fed up to here with the whole Bond bit." He would get annoyed when people would bring up his Bond role. Some people don't like the characters they are most remembered for.
2. Christina Applegate And Kelly Bundy
Christina Applegate gained recognition when she starred as Kelly Bundy in the '80s/'90s sitcom, Married...With Children. Her character is the oldest daughter of the Bundy family, and she tended to hang out with the "slacker" guys who admired her gorgeous looks.
Applegate played this part for ten years until the show concluded. She then went on to have roles in shows like Friends, Samantha Who, and most recently, Dead To Me. Applegate is an incredible actress who is also a breast cancer survivor and an advocate for cancer research.
3. Sigourney Weaver And Ellen Ripley
Sigourney Weaver is best known for her role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. She became a pioneer in the sci-fi genre as an action heroine, and the part helped her earn an Academy Award nomination. Weaver is often noted as one of the most significant female protagonists.
After her role in Alien, Weaver went on to have parts in blockbuster hits like Ghostbusters, Holes, and WALL-E. She is truly a powerhouse in the industry, and highly regarded by film critics. She is set to have a role in the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which will premiere in 2021.
4. Heath Ledger And The Joker
"Do you want to see how I got these scars?" Heath Ledger spent months preparing for his role as the Joke in The Dark Knight. He was a method actor who completely embodied his character. This incredible role was the most memorable and the last role Ledger would have before his tragic death.
In many scenes, Ledger adlibbed and went off script, but it only made the movie better. After the film wrapped, Ledger was still engulfed in his role and had trouble sleeping. He turned to pills to help him cope, and it quickly became an addiction. He died due to an overdose of pain pills.
5. Hugh Jackman And Wolverine
"The pain lets you know you're still alive." Hugh Jackman's most memorable role is obviously Wolverine. In 2000, he landed his breakout role as Wolverine in X-Men. The mutant superheroes have been exciting fans for two decades, and his last appearance as Wolverine was in 2017.
Not only is Jackman a talented actor, but he is a talented musician. In 2009, he starred alongside Daniel Craig in a broadway musical. Also, he started his world tour in 2019 called "The Man. The Music. The Show." to perform songs from The Greatest Showman.
6. Jennifer Aniston And Rachel Green
"I'm going to go get one of those job things." The best quote from Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green on Friends. Rachel Green went from being a snobby soon-to-be Long Island housewife to making a life for herself in Manhattan. Her iconic style and haircut made her Aniston's character a '90s staple.
While Aniston has had many other famous roles, nothing compares to her days as the loveable Rachel Green. It also seems she has barely aged a day since the '90s. Like Joey, we can't wait to see Aniston as Rachel Green once again in the Friends reunion.
7. Michael J. Fox And Marty McFly
In January 1985, Michael J Fox was cast as Marty McFly to replace Eric Stolz in Back to the Future. The role lasted for three movies, which became an iconic franchise. People still love these movies today. Marty McFly was the quirky teen who hung out with he weird scientist, and we can all relate to that, right?
Fox went on to play many other memorable roles, but he will always be remembered as McFly. In early 1991, Fox started to have symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. He has become an activist for others who have the disease, and he continues to fight every day.
8. Courtney Cox And Monica Geller
"Not just clean, "Monica" clean." Courtney Cox's most acclaimed role was as Monica Geller in the '90s sitcom Friends. She was the OCD hard-working chef who was often the voice of reason for Rachel. Originally Cox was supposed to play Rachel, but like Monica better after reading the script.
In Friends, Cox has a series of flashbacks to when she was overweight as a teen. The first time she put on the fat suit, no one recognized her on set. Cox has had plenty of other roles, but she will always be loved for her time as Monica.
9. Charlie Chaplin And The Tramp
Charlie Chaplin was an English comedian, actor, and composer, who gained fame during the silent movie era. He was able to use his body language and facial expressions to compel audiences all over the world. His claim to fame was in the movie A Dog's Life as The Tramp.
This persona became recognized by many people. In his later films, Chaplin abandoned the Tramp persona and decided to take on more serious roles. Many of his films are slapstick comedy mixed with pathos, which is why he was so beloved.
10. Mark Hamill And Luke Skywalker
"I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you." Mark Hamill is best known for his fantastic role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film series. In 1977 the firm movie was released, and to everyone's surprise, it was a big hit. Hamill came back on to play Skywalker until 2017.
While most people only associate Hamill with the Star Wars films, he has also done work in Sleepwalkers, Time Runners, and Child's Play. Hamill is so talented, but people in the fandom only recognize his role as Skywalker.
11. Emilia Clarke And Daenerys Targaryen
Emilia Clarke got her claim to fame as the Daenerys Targaryen (aka Mother of Dragons) in Game of Thrones. Her character is one of the most popular from the critically acclaimed show, and Clarke has one many awards for this character. Time named her one of the most influential people of 2019.
Clarke became so attached to her character that she got a tattoo of the three dragons on her wrist once the show wrapped. This role meant so much to her, and Clarke is grateful that she had the opportunity to bring the Mother of Dragons to life.
12. Joaquin Phoenix And The Joker
Joaquin Pheonix took on the role of the Joker, and it was a smash hit, Joker premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, and it was raved about by critics. People loved Pheonix's portrayal of this well-known character, and how he made the role unique to his acting skills.
Joker hit the box offices and grossed over $1 billion, which made it the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. For this incredible performance, Pheonix won a Golden Globe and received several other nominations. He continues to prove how talented he is with each role he is given.
13. Drew Barrymore And Gertie
Drew Barrymore became famous for her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when she was just 7-years-old. She played Elliott's little sister who saved ET and sent him back to his planet. She was so sweet and innocent, and most people didn't know that she would grow up to be a superstar.
Since she outgrew her pigtails, Barrymore has gone on to create a successful career and has her own cosmetics company called Flower Beauty. She also starred Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet as a woman who was turning into a zombie. If you haven't seen it, we highly recommend it.
14. Jack Nicholson And The Joker
Jack Nicolson is known for many of his roles; however, the Joker was one of his most memorable. In the 1989 version of Batman, Nicolson portrays the joker, and his unique facial structure made it easy for him to transform into the character.
Nicolson's range of emotions and incredible skill made him the most nominated actor in Academy history. From The Shining to Anger Management, he is usually the outsider who rebels against the norms. Nicolson continues to impress fans with his unusual acting style.
15. Brian Cranston And Walter White
In the hit AMC show, Breaking Bad, Brian Cranston played the iconic Walter White (aka Heisenberg). After the high school science teacher is diagnosed with lung cancer, he starts cooking meth to help provide for his family. Cranston won awards for this character three consecutive years in a row.
Throughout his long career, Cranston has ranged from serious roles like that of Walter White to goofy sitcoms like Malcolm in the Middle. He is undeniably talented, and his resume speaks for itself.
16. Elijah Wood And Frodo Baggins
The Lord of the Rings franchise became a huge hit, and Elijah Wood rose to fame because of his part as Frodo Baggins. He portrays a hobbit of the Shire that inherits the One Ring from his cousin Bilbo Baggins. Frodo is on a mission to destroy the Ring once and for all.
His success with Lord of the Rings lead to many more roles for Woods. Also, he and his fellow castmates, including Liv Tyler, Ian McKellan, and Orlando Bloom, got together virtually for an episode on YouTube. Fans were so excited to see their favorite cast back together again.
17. Neil Patrick Harris And Doogie Howser M.D.
In the late '80s to mid-90s, Neil Patrick Harris starred as Dr. Doogie Howser, the teenage doctor who balances practicing medicine and everyday adolescent problems. In this role, NPH was nominated for his first Golden Globe. It was a role that would help him make it big in Hollywood.
NPH then went on to play another well-known role as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother. His dynamic range of talents has allowed him to work on a variety of projects from Broadway shows to the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
18. Henry Winkler And Fonzie
The Fonz (or Henry Winkler) rose to fame as Arthur Fonzarelli in the '70s on Happy Days! His character was originally going to be cast as an Italian model, but producers chose Winkler because he could interact with the other characters better. Throughout the series, he went from being an outsider to the focus of the show.
His role as the Fonz made him an icon, and Winkler still has some acting roles from time-to-time. These days he mostly enjoys having an active Twitter account. He likes to make dad jokes, and his account is rather funny. The comedian's most recent role was in
19. Mike Myers And Austin Powers
"Groovy, Baby!" While Mike Meyers has created various characters throughout his career, one of the most memorable is Austin Powers! The international man of mystery who is stuck in the '70s is the perfect combination of raunchy comedy and action.
Not only has Myers starred as Austin Powers, but he also starred in Shrek, The Cat in the Hat, and Inglorious Bastards. Myers transforms himself into every role he takes on, and it is inspiring to see him embody such unique characters.
20. Ralph Macchio And Daniel Larusso
"Everybody was Kung-fu fighting!" Ralph Macchio starred in the original Karate Kid as Daniel LaRusso. After his father dies, Daniel LaRusso and his mom move from New Jersey to California, where he meets Mr. Miagi and learns to stand up to the bullies. This character was tremendous for Macchio.
After Karate Kid, Macchio had a role in My Cousin Vinny and a few other movies. He never had another blockbuster hit role, but he is still loved for his work as a young actor. No one will ever be able to recreate the passion from the original Karate Kid films.
21. Al Pacino And Tony Montana
“I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.” Al Pacino starred as Tony Montana in Scarface. This movie provided so many iconic quotes from Pacino's character, and it is on the list of the best 100 movies of all time. Montana is one of the most famous movie characters of all time as well.
Al Pacino also starred in The Godfather franchise, which was another fantastic role for him. As a method actor, Pacino embodies each character he is given and transforms himself to create the most memorable portrayals.
22. Eddie Murphy And Axel Foley
Eddie Murphy is known for many things, especially his role as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop. The character is regarded as one of the best of all time, but it was initially intended for Sylvester Stallone. However, Eddie Murphy got the part and made it a memorable role.
During filming, Eddie Murphy and his fellow castmates adlibbed most of their lines, and they had to do multiple takes because the cast and crew kept laughing. Murphy also adlibbed the "super cop" scene, which became the most memorable of the movie.
23. Sylvester Stallone And Rambo
Although Sylvester Stallone did not get the part in Beverly Hills Cop, he did take on the iconic role of Rambo in First Blood. His portrayal as this character earned Stallone fame and widespread recognition. The character was so famous that people started using the term "Rambo" to describe someone who is reckless.
Surprisingly, Stallone hated the first take of the movie so much that he tried to repurchase the film and destroy it. His violent and aggressive nature made him an acclaimed villain and hero. Also, originally Al Pacino was selected for the role, but he wanted the character to be more deranged, and producers disagreed.
24. Millie Bobby Brown And Eleven
Millie Bobbi Brown may only be 16, but she has already accomplished so much in her acting career as Eleven in Stranger Things. The Netflix series stars Brown as this girl with psychokinetic powers who helps the boys rescue their friend from the "upside down."
Brown has been praised for her incredible talents as she can adjust her performance to different cameras and angles. Also, if you never picked up on this, Eleven's signature pink dress and blonde wig is a nod to ET's disguise from the 1982 film.
25. Johnny Depp And The Hatter
Johnny Depp was a heartthrob in the '80s and '90s. He had roles in classic movies like Private Resort, Platoon, and Cry-Baby. Depp was the bad boy who always seemed to win over the girl. In the early '90s, he starred in Edward Scissorhands, and his career skyrocketed.
His most recent blockbuster films include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland. He transforms himself completely for each character he plays, and it is impressive to see his artistry over time. In 2012, Johnny Depp was put into the Guinness World Records as the highest-paid actor. He must be good then.
26. Jeff Cohen And Chunk
In the 1985 film, The Goonies, a young Jeff Cohen plays Chunk. As a member of the group Chunk is known as the overweight klutz who is funny and loveable. This was Jeff Cohen's biggest role, and he retired from acting in 1991. Although he is no longer acting Vhunk will always be a beloved character.
After Cohen was cast as Chunk, he got the chickenpox but showed up to set anyway because he was afraid they would replace him. The movie was adorable, but it generated a lot of hate about Cohen's weight. After he retired from acting, he started playing football and slimmed down.
27. Sylvester Stallone And Rocky Balboa
Sylvester Stallone is mentioned on this list twice because he is known for two iconic roles. His portrayal of Rocky Balboa in the 1976 film Rocky turned him into a pop-culture figure. From the scene of him running up the stairs at the Philidelphia Art Museum to him yelling for Adrian, all these scenes have become the most recognized in film history.
Stallone wrote the first draft of the film in three days, but it went through nine rewrites because the original film was too dark. Many of the props for the film are on display at the Smithsonian Museum and there is a statue of his character in Philidelphia.
28. Don Johnson And James "Sonny" Crockett
In the 1980s TV series, Miami Vice, Don Johnson portrays James "Sonny" Crockett. He is a detective sergeant who is difficult to get along with at first, but people realize he can be loving and caring. Sonny was an icon of the '80s, and set many fashion trends throughout the decade.
Johnson almost left the show after the second season, but the producer convinced him to stay. Since he continued this role, Johnson turned down the roles in Die Hard and The Untouchables. Although he turned down those roles, he was the highest-paid actor in the history of the series.
29. John Stamos And Jesse Katsopolis
"Have mercy!" John Stamos was the heartthrob of the '90s because of his role as Uncle Jesse in Full House. He started as the motorcycle loving rocker, and throughout the show, he transformed into a loving dad and husband. His character was almost named "Uncle Adam" but that didn't fit the persona.
Stamos and his co-stars, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier didn't get along at first, so they went on a road trip to vegas to bond. It helped the overall chemistry between their characters and made their friendship more believable on-screen.
30. Emilio Estevez And Andrew Clark
The Breakfast Club is a classic movie from the '80s, which stars Emilio Estevez as Andrew Clark. He was the jock in the group who thought he was cooler than everyone because he played sports. Estevez's character was the stereotype of most jocks throughout the '80s and '90s.
Estevez was supposed to play Bender, the anti-hero who has no respect for anyone, but the producers couldn't find someone else to play Andrew Clark. Other actors who were considered for the role included Michael J. Fox, Jim Carrey, and Tom Cruise.
31. Jim Carrey And Lloyd Christmas
Jim Carrey is a Hollywood legend who morphs into a variety of characters ranging from the Grinch to Ace Ventura. His most famous role is Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber. Lloyd is a former limousine driver who is determined but terribly immature. Sometimes he was vengeful and cruel.
Carrey turns himself into these full-fledged characters that have gone down in film history as some of the most recognized icons. He is talented and dedicated to each part. Carrey had chipped his tooth earlier in life and had the cap removed to play Lloyd.
32. Matt LeBlanc And Joey Tribbiani
"How you doin?" Many know Matt Leblanc from his famous role as Joey from Friends. His flirty antics mixed with his dumb charm made him everyone's favorite male character from the show. Joey got his own spin-off series that barely lasted two seasons.
Today, Matt LeBlanc stars in his Man with a Plan. There have been talks about a Friends reunion, but due to the pandemic, production has been pushed back to 2021. We can't wait to see him reprise his most lovable role.
33. Tom Hanks And Josh Baskin
Tom Hanks is a beloved American actor and filmmaker. You may know him from some of his most iconic roles, including Cast Away, Forrest Gump, or Saving Private Ryan, to name a few. One of his early parts was as Josh Baskin in Big. He wished to be older and then realizes that adulthood is not that glamorous.
If Hanks could say one thing to his younger self, it would probably be, "Don't take the FedEx plane!" Hanks has been in countless movies and television shows since his early days of acting, and he continues to be one of Hollywood's most favorable actors.
34. Emma Watson And Hermione Granger
She is beauty; She is grace; She is Emma Watson. At just 11-years-old she shot to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. Her character was the brilliant wizard who never forgot a homework assignment, and she was always there to get Harry and Ron out of trouble.
While being a hugely successful actress, Watson got her Bachelor's degree from Brown University. Is there anything she can't do. Watson will forever be remembered for her role at Hogwarts, but she has plenty of new projects in the works.
35. Will Smith And Will Smith
"This is a story all about how my life got twist turned upside down." Will Smith seems to have not aged since his starring role as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his early rapping career. He essentially played himself on the show, and then went on to become a Hollywood powerhouse.
Recently, Smith was in the news because of his unusual marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith. Besides his marital drama, there have been talks about a reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. We would love to see if Smith would include his son Jayden in the reboot.
36. Julia Roberts And Vivian Ward
Remember, Pretty Woman? That was Julia Roberts, and she hasn't changed much since her first significant role. She played Vivian Ward, who was a prostitute in Hollywood, and a rich man hired her for a week. It was a Cinderella story for adults.
She has been named the most beautiful woman by People Magazine seven times! Her iconic look and many major roles have made her a beloved household name. In 2018, she had a recurring role in the series Homecoming, and Roberts has a few upcoming projects.
37. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen And Michelle Tanner
"You got it, dude!" These twins were only nine months old when they made their acting debut on Full House. From an early age, they made it big and built an empire between the two of them. Michelle Tanner was just the first in a series of iconic roles they would have throughout their careers.
In 2004, the twins decided to retire from acting to focus on their fashion careers. Since their days in overalls, they have certainly grown into two beautiful women.
38. Freddie Mercury
"I won't be a rockstar. I will be a legend." And a legend he was. Freddy Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, was a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist for the band Queen. His flamboyant stage persona and unique four-octave vocal range helped him become a major icon.
You can see his early life and fantastic career in the biographical movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Throughout the film, you see Mercury's addiction to drugs and the fallout with Queen. Later in life, his partying caught up to him when he was diagnosed with HIV AIDS. He passed away in 1991.
39. Michelle Obama
The former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is an American lawyer, best-selling author, and mother, among other things. During her eight years as the first lady, she created an initiative for fitness and nutrition across the United States. She has also become a fashion icon.
Michelle is still a role model for many women because of her ambition and the message she carries. She has been an advocate against injustice, and a proud supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. She has also voiced her opinions against the current political state in America.
40. Michael Jackson
"Hee-Hee." The King of Pop will forever be Michael Jackson. He is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of his time and an innovator in the dance and music industry, and will forever be remembered for the changes he made.
Throughout his life, his appearance changed significantly. Jackson had numerous nose jobs, and due to vitiligo, he decided to bleach his skin. Although he is unrecognizable from his early days in the industry, people will always recognize Jackson as a powerhouse in his industry.