Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
Food
Homes
Film
4Car
News
See All


Best British Actor
We've taken your Best British Actor nominations, and mixed in a few of our own, to come up with this definitive list of 50 for you to vote on. So, who is the biggest male screen star we've ever produced?

 
< Previous Next >

35 - John Gielgud
As Gielgud's career saw him play every major Shakespearean role on stage, it's a wonder he ever found time for the screen. But cinema audiences around the globe should be eternally thankful he did. His great performances are too numerous to mention here - a true giant of British acting.

> More about this star
> Buy films starring John Gielgud

34 - Richard Attenborough
Famed as a director for his Academy Award laden films, including Gandhi and Cry Freedom, Attenborough is also a BAFTA-winning actor with outstanding performances in Brighton Rock, Guns At Batasi and The Great Escape to his name.

> More about this star
> Richard Attenborough masterclass
> Buy films starring Richard Attenborough

33 - Albert Finney
In a hugely successful career, Albert Finney has been a handsome lead, a much sought after stage performer and is still a highly respected character actor patronized by Hollywood directors like Tim Burton (Big Fish) and Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich).

> More about this star
> Buy films starring Albert Finney

32 - Ray Winstone
The son of Hackney greengrocers, Winstone started out as a boxer, fighting twice for England. Fortunately for film fans, he transferred to movies, starring in gems including Nil By Mouth and Sexy Beast.

> More about this star
> Buy films starring Ray Winstone

31 - Pete Postlethwaite
A veteran of British theatre and TV, Pete Postlethwaite entered feature films in 1984 and has since become one of Britain's greatest character actors, winning fans with his performances in The Usual Suspects and Brassed Off, among others.

> More about this star
> Buy films starring Pete Postlethwaite

< Previous Next >

Channel 4 © 2009. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites.