While the film industry has seen many talented and versatile actors take on a dynamic range of roles, some actors have firmly shown themselves as best suited for villain parts. Across genres, from the calculating Machiavellian villain to the maniacal slasher, every good story needs a great villain. Luckily, the film industry is full of actors perfect for such roles.
While many actors can handle a wide array of parts – including the hero – some actors are undeniably stronger as the antagonists. Though it's key that these actors not allow themselves to be too typecast in a single role. However, it's great to see performers embrace their the roles that fans love them for the most.
10 Malcolm McDowell Has Built A Career On Being The Bad Guy
Malcolm McDowell, best known for roles in A Clockwork Orange and Star Trek, has made his career by playing villainous characters. Whether it was his on-screen appearance as Alex DeLarge or lending his voice to Superman villain Metallo, McDowell is strongest as a bad guy.
Fortunately for fans and McDowell himself, he has embraced these types of roles across media, even doing voice work for video game antagonists. There are few actors with a voice so instantly recognizable and so quickly associated with darker roles.
9 Robert Englund Redefined The Horror Villain
One of the many public faces of the horror genre, Englund is known for more than just his role as the dream-based slasher Freddy Krueger. His beloved yet terrifying maniacal laugh worked especially well to make Englund and his roles a horror genre staple.
Until Englund, most horror villains were more silent, barely, if ever, uttering a single word. But he changed the idea of what a slasher could be. He brought a big personality to his role, a persona that has followed him throughout his career as a loud, enjoyable,, maniacal figure.
8 Jack Palance Always Made For A Threatening Bad Guy
With his distinctive raspy voice – especially in older age – Jack Palance played several villains well, including the world-famous vampire Count Dracula. Palance is one of the few actors who was always at his scariest when he was quiet, his chill delivery of dialogue able to send a shiver down a viewer's spine.
Palance worked well in a range of genres, from the aforementioned Dracula in horror to the shady businessman in Tango and Cash. One of his greatest and most defining roles was that of the villainous gunslinger Wilson in the acclaimed western Shane, where Palance turned in an excellent performance.
7 Kane Hodder Is The Definitive Slasher Actor
Best known for his recurring roles as Jason Voorhees and Victor Crowley, Kane Hodder seamlessly transitioned from stuntman to horror actor. Due to his use of masks and prosthetics for his best roles, Hodder has had to become a master of acting through body language.
His powerful build and experience in the role of numerous staples of slasher horror leave no one better suited to play an unbeatable killer. As he's shown in other roles, Hodder can be an intimidating actor without a mask and can bring a solid and terrifying intensity to his characters that few others can.
6 Tony Todd Is One Of Horror's Most Recognizable Icons
Known for his roles in Candyman and Final Destination, Tony Todd is among the many instantly recognizable icons of horror. With his gravelly voice and intense acting, Todd is a great addition to any horror movie cast, and is especially suited to a nefarious role.
Todd has been put to great use in plenty of B horror movies, too, showing up in these projects like an elder statesman of the genre. Although he could act in any genre, horror is his home, and being the face of the Final Destination's Death figure, and playing Candyman, has been great.
5 Gary Oldman's Versatility Is Seen In His Villainous Characters
Gary Oldman may be known by his fans best as Winston Churchill or The Dark Knight's Jim Gordon. But before he was cast in these roles, Oldman was one of Hollywood's greatest villain actors, and played each in a uniquely threatening way.
Whether it was his cameo as Drexel in True Romance or his still iconic acting as corrupt cop Stansfield in Leon: The Professional, Oldman knows how to play evil. As is the case with so many of his fellow villainous actors, Oldman's career was propelled by his portrayal of the bloodthirsty Dracula.
4 Christoph Waltz Reminded Us Of What True Evil Looks Like
Waltz's forever iconic role and incredible acting as Nazi agent Hans Landa will always be remembered as one of modern cinema's greatest portrayals of evil. His laser-sharp focus, the delivery of his lines, and intensity are the perfect recipe for a compelling villain.
Waltz's acting ability speaks for itself, and although he has played more heroic roles, as seen in 2012's Django Unchained, there's no comparison. Recently donning the role of mainstay Bond villain Blofeld, Waltz reminded viewers of the gravitas he brings to characters of evil.
3 Anthony Hopkins Assumed The Role Of Hannibal Lecter Effortlessly
It's undeniable that Anthony Hopkins' career is best known for his numerous roles as villains, especially in the thriller genre. Boasting an upper-class English accent – a Hollywood favorite when casting villains – and a cold stare, Hopkins defined the role of Hannibal Lecter.
Having played several other villains, too, Hopkins and the character of Hannibal are almost inseparable from one another, and he effortlessly played the part. He is best suited when playing the role of a cold and calculating villain, and audiences never doubt the threats of his characters.
2 James Earl Jones' Voice Is Inseparable From Darth Vader
James Earl Jones has made a name for himself as the definitive voice of Star Wars'' Darth Vader, often cited as the greatest villain of all time. Even before this, he masterfully portrayed Conan the Barbarian villain Tulsa Doom, the leader of an ancient death cult.
As imposing as Jones' stature and on-screen presence may be, his deep and booming voice made him perfect for these villainous roles. Even today, he is considered irreplaceable as the voice of Vader and will forever be tied to the universe's most threatening villain.
1 Christopher Lee Nailed The Classic Hammer Horror Villain
Christopher Lee had much of his acting career defined by his roles as various villains, ranging from Dracula to Count Dooku. His imposing height, personal charisma, and aristocratic English accent made him especially suited to the more thoughtful villains, especially from literature.
Especially in the latter part of his acting career, Lee was best known by fans as some of their favorite villains, famously as Saruman in Lord of the Rings. Also a staple of the era of Hammer Horror features, Lee is more synonymous with on-screen villainy than anyone.