Image Credit: Ken Regan
beloved adj: dearly loved; dear to the heart.
That’s kind of exactly what I thought the word beloved meant, but you can’t blame me for having to double-check after Jodie Foster told the Associated Press that her Beaver co-star Mel Gibson is “the most beloved actor of anybody I’ve ever worked with in the film business.” Most beloved. Dear to the heart.
I don’t doubt that Foster means what she said, but obviously, there are other people in Hollywood who don’t share her genuine affection for Gibson, especially in light of A) His polarizing direction of The Passion of the Christ, B) His anti-Semitic slurs during his 2006 drunk-driving arrest, and C) Phone recordings of his nasty arguments with the mother of his young daughter. It would be fair to say that Gibson is not universally beloved.
But who is dear to our hearts? When I think of the title, Most Beloved Actor, I immediately think of Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon, two actors who carved out a reservoir of goodwill with numerous classic characters who resonated with multiple generations. Among today’s working actors, I actually think Foster belongs in any discussion about Most Beloved Actor. So do Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman. I’d throw Bill Murray, Meryl Streep, and Jeff Bridges in the mix too.
Who gets your vote for Most Beloved Actor?
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I’d add Helen Mirren, and Sandra Bullock is on her way. Otherwise I agree with your choices. Meryl Streep is my contemporary favorite and Jimmy Stewart my classic choice.
It’s gotta be Hanks.
He’s great at drama, incredibly funny and an obscenely successful actor/producer/director. He even comes out looking good from his “failures.” (“Bosom Buddies”, “Turner and Hooch”, “The Money Pit”) Ok, so not “Bonfire of the Vanities.”
Most importantly, he just seems like a nice guy.
Bosom Buddies was awesome!
I’m not going to sit here and argue over the quality of “Bosom Buddies.” I counted it as a “failure” because it was only on for two seasons.
All I’m saying is that Hanks managed to come out smelling like a rose out of what could have been (at least on paper) an embarrassing trainwreck. Not only that, but he’s got a great sense of humor about it. (Loved him singing the BB theme song on “30 Rock” this past week.)
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t like Tom Hanks. Have you?
Morgan Freeman’s relationship with his step-granddaughter was creepy enough to knock him off this list for me. Otherwise, excellent choices.
I’m not so sure of Bill Murray’s inclusion on the list either. I love him, but he’s pissed off *a lot* of people in the industry.
I was clueless as to your Morgan Freeman reference so I googled it. Gross. I’d always liked this guy, even had a minor crush on him years ago, but now-ugh. What a disgusting old man.
Gross, just googled it too…sick.
Don’t be so quick to believe unsubstantiated rumors.
George Clooney
Ryan Gosling
Gosling has always been awesome, but tell the truth…would he have been your answer BEFORE the “Crazy Stupid Love” trailer was released?
Oh, yes. My love affair with The Gos started during that rain sequence in The Notebook. And I am not ashamed!
Ok, just checking because I think I actually got some of Ms. Holloway’s drool on me when watched the “Crazy Stupid Love” preview.
it’s either Tom Hanks or Meryl Streep
Charlie Sheen.
I think Will Smith would qualify as most beloved for many people, including me.
Besides the whole Scientology thing and the fact that people have an irrational hatred for his children, I’d agree with you.
Not irrational, they are punks. Jaden, atleast.
Oh ok, if you say he’s a punk, then it must be true.
I stand corrected. That’s not irrational at all.
definitely Hanks
1. Jodie Foster at time of this post was at 0% in the poll. WHAT!!?
She is loved maybe not alot but at LEAST a little bit. 0% is crazy!
But to the bigger point.
i think there is none.
Today people are so spread out all over the place, with all there different tastes, nobody could agree on 1. Sandra Bullock comes to mind, but I think mainly thats for the personal aspect of who she is, not really for her body of work, I like her but still.
Meryl Streep could also do it, but some people seem to think her to arrogant. (not me, just some do)
And Tom Hanks, and Morgan Freeman, and Jeff Bridges. People like them, but there not BELOVED. There great actors but I wouldn’t rush to see a movie just cause their in it, or would I be DYING to meet them. It would be cool to, but I wouldn’t be dying to.
Jodie Foster is my personal choice, but from the poll it looks like nobody agrees with me.
Aw, well.
As I said nobody can really win this because were all so different.
Tough call between Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, but I’d go with Meryl.
I like Hanks & Bullock but I’d add a few more. Though he’s still relatively young and not as well-known I’d add Nathan Fillion. I’ve never heard a single negative comment about him not to mention he’s smart, funny & cute! I also like Dennis Quaid. If I had to pick a movie dad he’d be my first choice.
You SHOULD have Mel Gibson on there. He IS the most beloved actor, whether you like it or not.
Yeah, he’s the most beloved by twisted, anti-semitic, hateful, abusive jerks…that’s about the only people he’s beloved to
I just put Meryl. Normally it would be Tom Hanks, but Meryl has just been on a roll over the past decade. Also, I love Jodie Foster’s body of work, but how anybody could choose her after the Mel Gibson connection is ridiculous. She doesn’t even make enough movies. On the other hand, Sandra Bullock would have been a worthy choice, but more for her offscreen persona than her body of work, as someone said above.
I voted for Meryl Streep, with Tom Hanks a close second. I also agree that George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Jeff Bridges, Will Smith, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, and Betty White could make the list. I think there are a lot of beloved actors and actresses in Hollywood. Far too many to list.