UNTOLD

Naming the 20 best actors and actresses of all time is subjective and can vary greatly depending on personal preferences, critical acclaim, and various factors such as versatility, influence, and body of work. Here are 10 actors and 10 actresses who are widely considered among the greatest, along with reasons for their acclaim and their Oscar wins

*The Sound of Music (1965)** - **Actors**: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn - **Director**: Robert Wise - **Music**: Richard Rodgers (music), Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) - **Overview**: Set in Austria during the late 1930s, "The Sound of Music" is based on the true story of the von Trapp family. Maria (Andrews) is a postulant at an abbey who struggles with the restrictive life of a nun. She is sent to be the governess to the seven children of the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp (Plummer), bringing joy and music into their lives. As Austria comes under Nazi occupation, the family's peaceful existence is threatened, and they must escape to freedom. The film features breathtaking landscapes, iconic songs like "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "The Lonely Goatherd," and a heartwarming story of love and resilience. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and remains a timeless classic. ### 2. **West Side Story (1961)** - **Actors**: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn - **Directors**: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise - **Music**: Leonard Bernstein (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) - **Overview**: An adaptation of the Broadway musical, "West Side Story" sets the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet against the backdrop of gang rivalry in 1950s New York City. The Jets, led by Riff (Tamblyn), and the Sharks, led by Bernardo (Chakiris), are constantly at odds. Tony (Beymer), a former Jet, falls in love with Maria (Wood), Bernardo's sister, sparking tensions between the gangs. The film's vibrant choreography and powerful score, featuring songs like "Maria," "Tonight," and "I Feel Pretty," capture the energy and despair of young love amidst social conflict. It won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Rita Moreno, and is hailed for its groundbreaking integration of dance and drama. ### 3. **Grease (1978)** - **Actors**: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn - **Director**: Randal Kleiser - **Music**: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, with additional songs by John Farrar - **Overview**: Set in the 1950s, "Grease" follows the summer romance between Danny Zuko (Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Newton-John) as they navigate high school life at Rydell High. Danny's tough-guy image conflicts with Sandy's wholesome demeanor, leading to a series of humorous and heartfelt attempts to reconcile their differences. The film's energetic dance numbers, nostalgic soundtrack, and charismatic performances made it an instant hit. Iconic songs like "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Grease," and "We Go Together" add to the film's enduring appeal. "Grease" captures the essence of teenage life and remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring numerous adaptations and tributes. ### 4. **Singin' in the Rain (1952)** - **Actors**: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse - **Directors**: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen - **Music**: Nacio Herb Brown (music), Arthur Freed (lyrics) - **Overview**: Set during Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies, "Singin' in the Rain" follows the challenges faced by silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his co-star Lina Lamont (Hagen), whose grating voice jeopardizes their careers. Don and his friend Cosmo Brown (O'Connor) devise a plan to dub Lina's voice with that of aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Reynolds). The film is famous for its stunning dance routines, including the titular "Singin' in the Rain" sequence, the athletic "Make 'Em Laugh," and the elegant "Broadway Melody" ballet. With its clever humor, memorable music, and brilliant choreography, "Singin' in the Rain" is a quintessential Hollywood musical, celebrated for its joyful spirit and artistic excellence. ### 5. **The Wizard of Oz (1939)** - **Actors**: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton - **Director**: Victor Fleming (with uncredited contributions from King Vidor, George Cukor, and Mervyn LeRoy) - **Music**: Harold Arlen (music), E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) - **Overview**: Based on L. Frank Baum's novel, "The Wizard of Oz" follows Dorothy (Garland), a Kansas farm girl who is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. To return home, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard (Morgan), joined by the Scarecrow (Bolger), the Tin Man (Haley), and the Cowardly Lion (Lahr). Along the way, they face the Wicked Witch of the West (Hamilton). The film's use of Technicolor, innovative special effects, and timeless songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "If I Only Had a Brain" have made it an enduring favorite. "The Wizard of Oz" is celebrated for its imaginative story, memorable characters, and the iconic performance of Judy Garland. ### 6. **Moulin Rouge! (2001)** - **Actors**: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh - **Director**: Baz Luhrmann - **Music**: Various artists (featuring modern pop songs reimagined for the film) - **Overview**: "Moulin Rouge!" is set in the bohemian underworld of Paris at the turn of the 20th century. Christian (McGregor), a young poet, falls in love with Satine (Kidman), the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Their love is threatened by the jealous Duke of Monroth (Roxburgh), who wants Satine for himself. The film's soundtrack creatively blends contemporary pop songs with the film's period setting, including hits like "El Tango de Roxanne," "Your Song," and "Come What May." The film is noted for its opulent production design, kinetic editing, and the passionate chemistry between Kidman and McGregor. "Moulin Rouge!" was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two, becoming a landmark in modern musical cinema. ### 7. **La La Land (2016)** - **Actors**: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons - **Director**: Damien Chazelle - **Music**: Justin Hurwitz (music), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (lyrics) - **Overview**: "La La Land" is a romantic musical that celebrates the dreams and struggles of artists in Los Angeles. Sebastian (Gosling) is a jazz pianist with ambitions to open his own club, while Mia (Stone) is an aspiring actress facing a series of rejections. Their love story unfolds amidst vibrant musical numbers and stunning cinematography, exploring the balance between personal ambition and romantic commitment. Key songs include "City of Stars," "A Lovely Night," and "Someone in the Crowd." The film received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic homage to classic musicals, its heartfelt performances, and its emotional depth. It won six Academy Awards, including Best Director for Chazelle and Best Actress for Stone. ### 8. **Rock of Ages (2012)** - **Actors**: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti - **Director**: Adam Shankman - **Music**: Various artists, featuring classic rock hits - **Overview**: "Rock of Ages" is a jukebox musical that tells the story of Sherrie (Hough) and Drew (Boneta), two young people chasing their dreams in 1980s Los Angeles. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of the famous Bourbon Room, a nightclub that faces the threat of closure. The film features rock legend Stacee Jaxx (Cruise), whose wild antics and rockstar persona dominate the scene. The soundtrack includes classic rock hits like "Don't Stop Believin'," "We Built This City," "Wanted Dead or Alive," and "I Want to Know What Love Is." With energetic performances and a nostalgic celebration of rock music, "Rock of Ages" captures the spirit of the '80s rock scene, delivering both humor and heart. ### 9. **My Fair Lady (1964)** - **Actors**: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper - **Director**: George Cukor - **Music**: Frederick Loewe (music), Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) - **Overview**: Adapted from the Broadway musical and George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," "My Fair Lady" tells the story of Eliza Doolittle (Hepburn), a Cockney flower girl transformed into a refined lady by Professor Henry Higgins (Harrison). The film explores themes of class, identity , and self-worth. Hepburn's portrayal of Eliza, although controversially dubbed by Marni Nixon, is iconic, while Harrison's performance earned him an Academy Award. The film features beloved songs like "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "On the Street Where You Live." Winning eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, "My Fair Lady" is celebrated for its elegant production, witty dialogue, and memorable performances. ### 10. **Mary Poppins (1964)** - **Actors**: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn - **Directors**: Robert Stevenson - **Music**: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (music and lyrics) - **Overview**: "Mary Poppins" tells the story of a magical nanny (Andrews) who comes to the aid of a troubled family in Edwardian London. The Banks children, Jane and Michael, have driven away numerous nannies with their misbehavior, but Mary Poppins, with her extraordinary abilities and strict but kind demeanor, wins them over. With the help of her friend Bert (Van Dyke), Mary brings joy, order, and adventure to the family's lives. The film is renowned for its blend of live-action and animation, and features timeless songs like "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." Julie Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. "Mary Poppins" remains a beloved classic, celebrating the magic of childhood and the importance of family.