I will start.. i like a lot of actors, but one stands above all others, and that is Daniel Day Lewis.
This guy is special. He doesn't do a lot of movies, but every time he commits to a role he does so masterfully.
If you are not familiar with his work i recommend to check out his movie. He is a "character" actor, can live himself into the roles that you really feel he is the role he acts.
IMDB
Since 1989 all of hos movies except two have won oscars or been nominated. You cant make this shit up, the guy never misses. He is only taking part in super quality movies and the list of his movies since 1989 are all in the "must see" catagory in my opinion.
- There Will Be Blood (2007) .... Daniel Plainview
- The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005) .... Jack Slavin
- Gangs of New York (2002) .... Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting
- The Boxer (1997) .... Danny Flynn
- The Crucible (1996) .... John Proctor
- In the Name of the Father (1993) .... Gerry Conlon
- The Age of Innocence (1993) .... Newland Archer
- The Last of the Mohicans (1992) .... Hawkeye (Nathaniel Poe)
- My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown (1989) .... Christy Brown