A greatcrimemovie usually has the perfect mix of action, drama, and tension. They also have strong antagonists, often portrayed as “gangster”-type characters on screen. For actors, it takes a certain swagger to play a gangster. They have to have attitude and confidence, but they also need to be good at expressing a driving motive as to why the character lives a life of crime. Actors like Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro are amazing at embodying the nuances of the characters they play, which is probably why they both play gangsters quite often.
There are plenty of other actors who seem like they always play gangsters, too. Whether it’s because they have a certain look or just have the right confidence for the role, some actors just seem to fit the bill. Here’s a list of some of the actors in Hollywood who seem like they always play gangsters.
10Al Pacino
Al Pacinois one of the most iconic actors in the world. His film career started way back in the early 1970s, with one of his first major roles being Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic masterpieceThe Godfather. From there, Pacino went on to star in dozens of recognizable movies and won an Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1992 dramaScent of a Woman. That film is largely considered to be one of thebest Al Pacino movies.
Why It Seems Like He Always Plays a Gangster
Pacino has been ina tonof gangster movies, and that’s what he’s been most recognized for. Fans know his voice and his swagger from movies like 1975’sDog Day Afternoon, 1983’sScarface, 1995’sHeat, and, more recently, 2019’sThe Irishman, where he played real-life gangster Jimmy Hoffa. The list goes on and on, but Pacino is probably the most well-known ganger actor out there.
9Robert DeNiro
If Al Pacino is the most recognized gangster actor on the planet,Robert DeNirois a close second. DeNiro was born in New York City and he knew at a very young age - as young as 10 years old - that he wanted to be an actor. From 1974’sThe Godfather Part IIto 2004’sMeet the Fockers, he’s appeared in a variety of movies since his big screen debut in 1965.
DeNiro’s tough exterior makes him perfect for the part, and he’s played gangsters in a lot of movies over the years. Most notably, he appeared in 1990’sGoodfellas, 1995’sCasino, 2019’sThe Irishman(with Pacino), and most recently, 2023’sKillers of the Flower Moon. In the latter, DeNiro is not a traditional gangster, but his villainous character still fits the fill. He should be in theOscar conversationin 2024 for that role as well.
8Johnny Depp
In recent years,Johnny Depphas become more well-known for his legal troubles and musical pursuits than his motion pictures. He’s still a great actor, however, appearing in countless fan favorites in the 1990s and 2000s, likeEdward Scissorhands, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Finding Neverland,andCharlie and the Chocolate Factory, to name a few.
Johnny Depp is anything but a one-note actor, but he’s played a lot of gangsters on the big screen. Sure, he’s known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in thePirates of the Caribbeanmovies and the Mad Hatter in theAlice in Wonderlandfranchise, but he’s also been in his fair share of crime movies. He starred ascocaine dealer George Jungin 2001’sBlow,then appeared as crime boss Whitey Bulger in 2015’sBlack Mass. Depp was also a gangster in 2003’sOnce Upon a Time in Mexicoand 2009’sPublic Enemies.
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7Joe Pesci
If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s, your first exposure toJoe Pesci’s work was in 1990’sHome Alone, where he played one of the two burglars trying to break into Kevin McAllister’s (Macaulay Culkin) house. Pesci was a household name long before that, though, having acted in movies frequently since the early ’80s. He’s a wise-cracking, confident guy who is also known for his roles in 1992’sMy Cousin Vinnyand theLethal Weaponfranchise from 1980 to 1998.
Pesci has portrayed a gangster in many of the same crime movies as Pacino and DeNiro, likeGoodfellas,Casino,andThe Irishman. He was also a gangster in 1984’sOnce Upon a Timein America and 1993’sA Bronx Tale.Pesci definitely has the swagger, cadence, and attitude to pull off the role.
6Denzel Washington
It’s hard to picture a role thatDenzel Washingtonwouldn’t be able to knock out the park. He’s been in everything from legal dramas to action thrillers to crime movies. He also has a lengthy list of award nominations to his name, including Academy Award nominations for his roles in 1989’sGlory, 1992’sMalcolm X, 1999’sThe Hurricane, and 2015’sFlight, to name a few.
Washington played real-life gangster Frank Lucas in 2007’sAmerican Gangster, and it’s the role he’s most known for to millennials. Washingston’s portrayal of Lucas was top-notch, perfectly showcasing Lucas' thirst for power, loyalty, and money in the 1970s. Washington was also a corrupt cop turned gangster inTraining Day, and is known for playing vigilante-type characters inMan On FireandThe Equalizermovies.
5Tom Hardy
Tom Hardybroke through to the mainstream in Christopher Nolan’sInceptionin 2010. Since then, he’s mostly become known for his superhero films, playing the villain Bane in Nolan’sThe Dark Knight Risesand the title character inVenomandVenom: Let There Be Carnage. Hardy is working with Scott Snyder on a film adaptation of thecomic book seriesArcbound.
Hardy has a bit of a “tough guy” image, possibly due to his roles in movies like 2008’sBronson,where he played criminal Charles Bronson, and 2011’sWarrior,where he played an MMA fighter who is forced to square off against his brother. Hardy played gangster-type characters in other movies as well, includingLawless,Legend,Layer Cake, andThe Drop, among others.
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4Warren Beatty
Warren Beattyis an American actor with Canadian roots. He was born in Virginia, but his mother was originally from the Maritimes in Canada. Beatty got his start in Hollywood way back in the early 1960s, with one of his first recognizable roles being 1967’s classic crime thrillerBonnie & Clyde.
Once he got his start as gangster Clyde Barrow, it was hard for some viewers to see Beatty as anything else. Before that film, though, Beatty played a gangster in 1965’sMickey Oneand 1966’sKaleidoscope.In the 1990s, Beatty landed major roles in crime films like 1990’sDick Tracyand 1991’sBugsy. He later reprised his role as Dick Tracy for a couple of TV specials in the 2010s and 2020s as well.
3Ray Liotta
Before his tragic passing in 2022, the lateRay Liottamade his mark on Hollywood in several memorable films. He also starred in 1990’sGoodFellas, but one of his final roles was in 2023’s comedy movieCocaine Bear.Liotta received a posthumousstar on the Hollywood Walk of Famein 2023 for the unforgettable mark he left on the acting world.
Liotta seemed like he was always playing either cops or gangsters, appearing in countless crime movies includingThe Many Saints of Newark,Cop Land,Narc,The Place Beyond the Pines,Killing Them Softly, and, more recently,No Sudden Move. He had a serious persona on screen which made him perfect for those types of roles. Despite this, a couple of thebest Ray Liotta moviesaren’t crime films.
2Jack Nicholson
“Here’s Johnny!“Jack Nicholson’s iconic phrase from Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1980 horror movieThe Shiningmay be his most memorable line ever. But Nicholson’s played a huge variety of characters since he got his start in acting way back in the late 1950s. Nicholson has become known for characters like the Joker in 1989’sBatmanand Col. Nathan R. Jessup in 1992’sA Few Good Men. He’s also starred in comedies, dramas, and of course, crime movies.
Nicholson has played a lot of detectives throughout his career, but two films emerge that give him a “gangster”-type image. In 1992’sHoffa, Nicholson played infamous gangster Jimmy Hoffa. Then, in 2006, he played the crime lord Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese’sThe Departed. Nicholson retired from acting in 2010.
1Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia is a Cuban-American actor who got his start in the acting business in the mid-1980s. One of his first TV roles was as a gangster in the showHill Street Blues. He also appeared with Angela Lansbury in the very first episode of her hit show,Murder, She Wrote.Garcia’s career took off in the late 1980s, when he landed major roles in Brian De Palma’s crime epicThe Untouchablesand Ridley Scott’s 1989 neo-noir thrillerBlack Rain.
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Garcia has been in a ton of crime movies, but he played more cops than gangsters in his ’80s movies. In 1990, Garcia starred as Vincent Mancini inThe Godfather Part III, which landed him an Academy Award nomination. He broke through as a gangster in 2001’sOcean’s Eleven, where he played corrupt casino owner Terry Benedict. Garcia reprised the role for two sequels in 2004 and 2007.
