Why are julia roberts and tom hanks americas favorite actors? What about Catherine Keener and Ben Kingsley?

Question

2004 Top 10

1) Tom Hanks
2) Mel Gibson
3) Julia Roberts
4) Johnny Depp
5) Harrison Ford
6) Denzel Washington
7) John Wayne
8) Clint Eastwood
9) Sean Connery
10) George Clooney

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY HARRIS INTERACTIVE

here is just one poll of many with similar info. i also like John Carroll Lynch, David Strathairn, James Cromwell, Daniel Day Lewis, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jeremy Irons, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Also Anthony Hopkins was not on this list.l

Answer 1

I think you mean what about The Great Carrot Top !A true American Icon!

Answer 2

Julie Roberts and Tom Hanks have put a lot of time
into giving themselves the "every man" (or every woman)
image. That is, people see themselves in them.

Of course, prettier, smarter versions, but still,
they see themselves.

However, that's not acting. Keener and Kingsley are both
far better at their trade of making you believe that they are
whatever character they are playing, rather than LIKING the
character they are playing.

Marilyn Monroe was not a particularly good actress, but
everybody remembers the name, right? Lawrence Olivier
was the premier actor at the time of Monroe's death ... I'll
bet most of our readers here have never heard that name.

By the way, if you're looking for the creme of the crop of
actors today, you should watch people like Dustin Hoffman,
Kevin Spacey, etc.

Answer 3

For me not so much favorites as 'royalty'. The "everyman" remark was correct. They fill that need Americans have for it, a la Jimmy Stewart; although for the women they used to have more spunk than does Roberts - though she is a lot of FUN. (Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Stanwyck, Crawford, were'nt exactly the girl next door.) America doesn't have a theatre history it honors either, and 'acting' isn't a priority. (Although Hanks is brilliant and I like Roberts) Keener I LOVE. Kingsley truly crafts characters. We like 'em more 'popler'. And those two (Hanks/Roberts) are now at the 'age' for American 'royalty'. We like the younguns', too. It's more popularity than love of craft/art/whatever-it's-called. For me, anyway.

Answer 4

While they are both wonderful actors, they do not make films that are commercial enough for the general American public. It's just a personal preference so while these may be your favorites you can't make them anyone else's.

AND who says those are the top two favorite actor's for Americans? Is there a poll somewhere or are you assuming that is so?

Answer 5

I don't know who appointed them as "America's favorites", but they certainly aren't tops in my book. Jack Nicholson would get my vote. I had to look up Catherine Keener just to figure out who the hell she was. Kingsley hasn't done anything note-worthy in years.

Answer 6

I can only see Bill Murray as the best out of all American actors.

Answer 7

what about them?

Answer 8

who?