The greatest actor of the 1970s, according to science
The 1970s are often hailed as Hollywood’s golden era, with films from the decade ranking among the most influential in cinema history. Whether it’s the haunting atmosphere of Taxi Driver, the hazy cynicism of Chinatown, or the colossal achievement of Apocalypse Now, this period has left an indelible mark on film and continues to inspire directors today. The decade also produced a roster of iconic characters that remain culturally significant. However, amid countless debates about the legacy of these films, film lovers have often argued over who stands as the greatest actor of the 1970s. Perhaps, at long last, we might have an answer.
A recent scientific study has attempted to define the greatest actors of the 1970s, collecting data from box office records, critical reviews, and artistic achievements of the films they starred in. From this, we can see which performers frequently dominated all areas of the charts and thus are deemed most influential and ‘great’, with ten actors making the cut.
Towards the end of the list is Faye Dunaway, who gained a notorious reputation within Hollywood after her antics on the production of Chinatown. The actor allegedly feuded with Jack Nicholson and Roman Polanski on set, with one story claiming how she pissed into a bucket and threw it at the director. Despite the so-called diva behaviour behind the scenes, her performance in the noir classic as well as in the beloved Sidney Lumet drama Network rightfully earned her a place on this list, with the on-set drama only adding to her overall image.
Donald Sutherland is also mentioned on the list as the fourth greatest actor of the decade, whose recent passing this year came as a huge shock to those who have been moved by his gentle screen presence and wicked sense of humour. After performances in the likes of MASH, Klute and Don’t Look Now, the actor solidified himself as one of the most daring performers of his time, being highly talked about for his all-consuming portrait of grief and loss in the classic Nicolas Roeg horror film.
Towards the top of the list is Robert Duvall, who had a string of hits through his work on The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation, frequently collaborating with Francis Ford Coppola and becoming one of his indirect muses. The actor also starred alongside Dunaway in Network, as well as acting with Sutherland in Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1978, becoming a frequent screen icon of the decade.
But in the top spot of the list and who has been named as the greatest actor of the 1970’s, is none other than Clint Eastwood. In 1971 he starred in Dirty Harry, which became one of his most iconic roles, as well as Magnum Force and The Man with No Name, which are some of the most definitive roles within his esteemed filmography.
However, despite being supposedly decided by the mysterious force of ‘science’, all of those actors are greats in their own right, and there are undoubtedly many others who weren’t included on the list that have shaped cinema in their own unique way.
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