Top Ten Action Movie Stars

The Giggaheim Podcast Episode 22 had another round of its new game show, Ten In a Half. This time it was Top Ten Action Movie Stars, since the podcast crew is collectively drooling for the upcoming testosterone-filled blockbuster starring every cool action hero on planet Earth: The Expendibles.

Now Action movies have a special place in the family memories. My father and I would watch Untouchables, Die Hard, Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Predator, Indiana Jones, and more every week-night we didn’t have something else going on.  So, I knew which stars made my list, and the podcast crew fought to the bitter end to create a list for you.

10) Errol Fylnn – The founder of the feast, the Keystone, and many people’s onscreen Robin Hood. Errol Flynn is synonymous with action movies since he made them a mainstay in your local movie house. With 62 movies to his credit, Errol Flynn’s natural athletic talent and dashing looks made him a prime leading man for Warner Brothers Studios where he quickly became the king of swashbuckling films like Captain Blood and Robin Hood. Hell, this guy is the reason we say “In like Flynn”.

9) Sean Connery -  This actor was actually knighted for his onscreen work (that’s “Sir” to you peasants), and with a 90-film resume, he’s earned it. Sir Sean Connery has captured roles and made them his. When people think James Bond, they think Sean Connery. His depth in roles from sword wielding immortal, to unbeatable submarine captain, to secret agent make him a sure #9.

Charles Bronson – With a surprisingly long filmography (162 films) Charles Bronson silently make his way onto our list. From early episodes of The Twilight Zone to the Dirty Dozen to Magnificent Seven to Once Upon A Time in the Old West, Charles Bronson was the Boba Fett of his age. Bronson was the silent killer, the quiet bad-ass that lent danger to the screen.  Bronson had a way of keeping you captivated and curious about his character, and despite his iron visage, he was able to emote and make the audience feel as he did.

7) Bruce Lee – There are a thousand martial arts stars that come from the famous Hong Kong studios, but only one usually comes to mind: Bruce Lee. Founder of Jeet Kune Do, Bruce lee was a modern marvel we are lucky to have preserved on film. His lightning quick agility matched with amazing physical abilities made him a joy to watch. Performances by Bruce Lee paved the way for martial arts to find their way into major distribution, and Enter the Dragon exploded onto screens. Not only did Bruce Lee battle bad guys, but he also had to battle prejudice of White audiences and movie studios (among other entities). Eventually his abilities and temperament would pave the way for other oriental stars like David Carradine, Jackie Chan, Chow Yung Fat, and Jet Li. Not only was he great on screen, but Bruce lee founded his own form of martial arts to match his philosophy and fighting style. A true warrior.

6) Clint Eastwood – One of the few action stars who doesn’t just play “tough guy”. Clint has won awards for both is acting and his directing. He first introduced as a singing cowboy and later became the silent and deadly man with no name in several Sergio Leone  “Spaghetti Westerns”. Clint is a true icon for his work on westerns, but also as the scourge of the San Francisco underworld as Detective Harry Callahan. Key phrases like “Go ahead, make my day” have been aped by every American more than the pledge of allegiance (It is shorter) . His depth in acting, filmography, and ability to create action films we truly believe in are what makes his a top contender on our list.

5) Bruce Willis – This actor has had just as radical a path as the others on this list. First starring in a dramedy in the 1980s, Bruce Willis then exploded onto the silver screen playing the cop that got caught in a terrorist plot and seizure of a skyscraper. This shoeless hero endeared us to Bruce and his everyman style followed him on other projects such as Fifth Element, 12 Monkeys, and Pulp Fiction. His delivery of comedy, believable action, and depth of films have made him an action star that we all love.

4) Harrison Ford – The reluctant carpenter first came on the scene as a cowboy drag racer in American Graphitti. But everyone thinks of him as two essential film icons of action: Han Solo and Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford embodies the interstellar smuggler with one line quips, a fast draw, and the ability to win the heart of the princess. Many of those characteristics translated well to the thief/Archeologist Indiana Jones. The adventurer with a phobia for snakes damn near didn’t happen, and Harrison owes some of his fame to Magnum P.I. since Tom Selleck couldn’t play the leading role. But, Harrison also plays the everyman in other films so well, he takes audiences on the thrill ride with him. Thousands of people believe that they cracked whips, chased androids, flew the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, and been a fugitive thanks to Harrison’s ability to make us all action heroes.

3) Mel Gibson – The Australian first came on the scene as post-apocalyptic survivor, and quickly became an icon for action. As Sargent Martin Riggs, the “crazy” gun-wielding, martial arts fighting badass cemented Lethal Weapon as a mandatory watch for all action films. Like Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson has directed Academy Award Winning films, and played everything from war-leading Scotsmen, to alien-fighting father, to disfigured war veteran. His ability to portray betrayal and anger keep us riveted, and ability to deliver punch lines and comedy endear his performances to audiences.

2) Sylvester Stallone – There were a handful of dudes you wanted to be in the 1980s, and Sly played two of them. John Rambo, and Rocky Balboa. His mumbled lines in Rocky have earned thousands of mock impressions, but Sly wound up laughing all the way to the bank. Rocky earned a few awards, and few action stars are able to write and direct equally as well as they act. Along with our number one action hero, Sly was well known for his physique which allowed audiences to believe he could defeat Mr. T in a boxing ring, or take on whole armies. Other macho roles such as police detectives, arm wrestlers, and Judge Dredd have made him an icon of action.

1) Arnold Schwarzenegger – This man epitomizes the action hero. He gets up early every morning, feeds the cats, makes his lunch, blogs for hours on end, reads comics, takes out the garbage…wait that’s me. Arnold is 10 feet tall, wields guns the size of Winnebago, takes on tough alien life forms, and there is no enemy he can’t defeat. If you walked into a dark alley, this would be the guy you would walk into it with. He’s a fearless commando, a sword wielding barbarian, and a man of many one-liners. Action figures and super heroes have been modeled after his enormous physique. Think about it. When did Superman have a huge barrel chest, and super ripped arms? Hell, even my spell check knows who the guys is. And that’s why he is the number one action hero.