The Independent has compiled a list of the 60 finest actors of the 21st century. This selection features performers from various countries, while intentionally omitting television shows and films released after the year 2000.

Only 1 Indian actor

Only one Indian actor has made it onto this list, and it is not Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, or any prominent female performer. Instead, the late Irrfan Khan is ranked at #41. Irrfan, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 53, faced significant challenges for over a decade from the late 1980s to the early 2000s before achieving recognition with Asif Kapadia's 2001 film, The Warrior. The Independent praised Irrfan's "stoic fortitude" in portraying a warrior from his native Rajasthan.

Irrfan continued to captivate audiences with his performances in Tigmanshu Dhulia's 2003 crime drama Haasil, Vishal Bhardwaj's 2003 gangster film Maqbool, and Mira Nair's 2006 romantic drama The Namesake. His impressive filmography also includes Life In A Metro, The Darjeeling Limited, Slumdog Millionaire, Paan Singh Tomar, Life of Pi, The Lunchbox, Qissa, Haider, Piku, Talvar, Hindi Medium, The Song of Scorpions, Qarib Qarib Singlle, Karwaan, and Angrezi Medium. The Independent remarked, "It’s Irrfan Khan’s eyes, hooded and deep brown, that will live eternally. They granted him the ability to weave magic, to recite poetry without moving his lips."

Top 10 actors

Philip Seymour Hoffman, a notable actor who passed away in 2014 at the age of 46, was recognized as the finest actor of the 21st century. Emma Stone secured the second position among female actors, receiving acclaim for her performances in films such as Crazy, Stupid, Love, La La Land, The Favourite, and Poor Things. Daniel Day-Lewis, who declared his retirement in 2016 but has recently made a return to acting, was placed third. Denzel Washington, celebrated for his recent role in Ridley Scott's The Gladiator II, ranked fourth. The fifth to tenth positions were occupied by Nicole Kidman, Daniel Kaluuya, Song Kang Ho, Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell, and Florence Pugh, respectively.

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