PACINO, DE NIRO, EASTWOOD, or NICHOLSON: Who is the KING of American Cinema?

Question

-For your consideration,

Al Pacino in “Any Given Sunday” (1999):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rFx6OFooCs


-For your consideration,

Robert De Niro video tribute on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xHIsn9I-qk


-For your consideration,

Two scenes of Clint Eastwood in “Unforgiven” (1992):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH0tlbAj8xw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG8mvqtWEAw


-Last but not the least,

For your consideration,

Jack Nicholson in "Chinatown" (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMU_Wg3mZkE


Jack Nicholson in “About Schmidt” (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfcjyXmSqOs

Answer 1

Wow!. You nominated some excellent characters. I dont think Deniro, Pacino and Eastwood has had as many variety of roles as Jack Nicholson. Although Deniro and Pacino have played other roles, they are best known for mostly mob or mob based, cop or cop based type movies. Clint Eastwood is know for his Western, Military and Dirty Harry flicks and a few in his older less active years. But Jack Nicholson has been in all types of movies and had excellent scripts and dialouge by comparison.

This has been my opinion but now lets look at the stats

As Actors:
Name = # Movies including / How many in production
Deniro = 78 / 5
Pacino = 46 / 3
Eastwood = 65 / 0
Nicholson = 72 / 0

# Movies including in production
As producer / writer / director
Deniro = 29 / 0 / 3
Pacino = 2 / 2 / 3
Eastwood = 26 / 1 uncredited / 31
Nicholson = 6 / 6 / 4

Based on the Statistics and based on king of "American Cinema" Im going to have to say Clint Eastwood based on his Superior combination of Actor/Producer/Director

2nd Place would be Robert Dinero.

On the other hand these results could change if I were to sum up the most successful Box Office Hits.

Answer 2

I'll have to say Mr. Clint Eastwood.
First he was a television star on the old b&w show 'Rawhide' and a couple other shows.
He was a mega star in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and still is. Every movie he's made it the past 40 years has been a money-maker. Not one dud at the box office (even 'Pink Caddilac' was a hit...lol).
He's directed several movies and won 2 Oscars for doing it.
He's written some good scripts.
He's even played musicians/singers because he also loves to sing and play! He's just all around the greatest.
However, he's not my favorite. Actually he's my least favorite (personally) from the list you've given.
My favorite would be Al Pacino, followed by DeNiro, then Nicholson and then Clint.
Al & DeNiro are both just really exceptional and have proven it by the roles they've chosen. Not every movie made money, but the acting was there!
As for good old Jack (lol) I mean, he's a great actor. He really shined (to me) in 'The Shining', 'One Flew Over The CooCoos Nest' and 'The Departed'. But, mostly he's just Jack being Jack. The same in every movie. Oh, I forgot about when he played 'The Joker' though... Hmmmmmmmm....
Hey this is hard!
LOL!
:-)

Answer 3

They are all so great - how can you make a choice? If I had to I would combine the acting efforts of Pacino and DeNiro. The other two, I have only enjoyed in random movies.

Answer 4

I believe the two are Pacino and De Niro

Answer 5

Some of the above are good but the best is, of course, Robert Duvall. He never does anything wrong. Kind of like Nat Cole who neve sang an untasty note. Perfection.

Answer 6

De Niro is my fave of the options you listed.

I like Mel Gibson who is technically a Yank no matter where he grew up.

I also think Harrison Ford should be on the list.

Answer 7

These actors are all great along with the only crowned King of Hollywood, Clark Gable.

Answer 8

Pacino, because he was in Scarface. I loved that movie, and I'm not a person who usually go for movies like that. I like how he puts his all in it and not half a%% it.

Answer 9

Certainly, De Niro!!!!! I like the film "Seek&Hide"

Answer 10

i gotta go with deniro