What a difference a year makes. Most actors dream of the kind of recognition this elite group has received over the past twelve months. From award nominations and wins to magazine covers and box office records, it's clear these thesps have enjoyed a fruitful 2009. We count down the Top 10 Breakout Actors whose performances have made them the Next Big Things.
Who do you think had a breakout year? Tell us in the comments!
10. Jesse Eisenberg
From roller coasters to zombies on a rampage to family drama, Jesse Eisenberg has had as varied a year in film as any actor can hope for. It just so happens that this past year has also proved to be a bit of a breakthrough for the 26-year-old thespian as he graduated from largely supporting roles in indie dramas to juicy starring roles in big box office fare like Adventureland and Zombieland. With dramatic chops and comedic timing to spare, it would seem like Eisenberg's star has nowhere to go but up!
9. Amanda Seyfried
Fans of the short-lived television show "Veronica Mars" have had their eyes on Ms. Seyfried ever since she played the pivotal role of Lilly Kane in the premiere season of the critically acclaimed series but it's her riveting performances in HBO's "Big Love", big screen sensation Mamma Mia and this year's Jennifer's Body and Chloe that have really brought this talented ingenue front and centre. This year may have seen her breakthrough to the mainstream but there will be no slowing down for the actress in 2010. Look for her collaborations with Hollywood heavyweights Lasse Hallstrom, Vanessa Redgrave and Bruce Beresford to hit theatres throughout the year.
8. Malin Ackerman
Before this year, the leggy, Toronto-raised blond beauty was probably best known for her small but standout role in cult fave Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Nowadays, her name would likely conjure up, ahem, fond memories of the second-skin latex suit she wore for her role as ass-kicking Silk Spectre II in comic book adaptation Watchmen. Add to that her role in Couples Retreat with A-list talent like Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Jason Bateman, and her forthcoming work in comedies Electra Luxx and HappyThankYouMorePlease and you’ve got an actress who’s enjoyed an impressive twelve months.
7. Anna Kendrick
From the world of teenage vampires to holding her own alongside George Clooney, the petite brunette has quickly made a name for herself as a solid dramatic actress with comedic chops to spare. She first came on the scene in a big way with last year’s Twilight but saw her profile get a massive boost in the form of a supporting role in Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air. Playing the feisty, tightly-wound ingénue to Clooney’s cool, calm and collected professional, she skillfully made the transition from high school student to leading lady - scoring a Golden Globe nom in the process - and looks poised to keep adding stellar projects to her budding CV.
6. Carey Mulligan
The 24-year-old English actress may not yet be a household name to the average movie-goer but surely it's only a matter of time. In the past twelve months she's appeared in Public Enemies and Brothers and enjoyed universal rave reviews for her starring role in the coming-of-age drama An Education. Though it seems a cliche to say a star is born overnight with any performance, it would seem in this case to be true. With Mulligan a shoo-in for all Best Actress ballots come award season and a pivotal turn in Wall Street 2 come this summer, it's a safe bet that it won't be long until her name is on the lips of audiences everywhere.
5. Chris Pine
Sometimes all it takes is one juicy role to catapult an actor straight into the spotlight and in this summer's Star Trek, Pine found himself the second actor to seriously benefit from the classic character of Captain James Tiberius Kirk. In a cast full of fine acting talent, he took what could've been easily become a caricature-laden performance and turned it into a funny homage that was somehow, surprisingly, original. With a natural screen presence and charisma to spare, it would seem Hollywood has only scratched the surface of what we can expect from Chris Pine.
4. The Boys of The Hangover
Now this is how you do ensemble comedy. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis emerged as a power trio in the sleeper summer hit The Hangover, playing to their individual strengths – charming cad, blithering nervous wreck and loveable weirdo burnout, respectively – while working seamlessly together to churn out mega laughs. Cooper had already been on the cusp of household-name status with supporting roles in the likes of Wedding Crashers and He's Just Not That Into You while Helms cut his teeth as a member of Jon Stewart fierce comedy team on "The Daily Show" though the more avant garde Galifianakis was still hovering under the mainstream radar. But once you take a punch from Mike Tyson, fight a tiger, perform your own tooth extraction or get tasered in (!) the (!) face (!), people tend to remember your name. Hangover 2, anyone?
3. Sam Worthington
With starring roles in two of the most anticipated movies of the year, Terminator: Salvation and Avatar, it's safe to say that the pressure was on for the relatively unknown 33-year-old Aussie actor. While critics have been soundly split over both films, it is clear that Worthington is making international audiences sit up and notice. Next up for the newest Hollywood action star is another big-budget epic, Clash of the Titans, co-starring Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. If his track record so far is any indication, 2010 might just be the actor's year as well.
2. Gabby Sidibe
It would be a challenge for even an experienced actress to lead a demanding and emotionally raw film like Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire let alone a novice appearing in her first feature. Enter Gabby Sidibe. The former college student decided to audition for Lee Daniels’ difficult and intense drama on a whim and wowed audiences and critics alike with her fearless performance – more like inhabitation – of an impoverished Harlem teen caught in a web of abuse and incest. Take note of that name now, chances are it will one to remember for years to come.
1. Taylor Lautner
It’s undeniable: this was Taylor Lautner’s year. True, he first experienced life within the Twilight fame bubble last year, playing the part of sensitive werewolf Jacob, but his popularity only reached critical mass with the release of New Moon. The newly-buff and frequently-shirtless teen got to flex his acting muscles with a much more robust storyline and gave Team Edward supporters a reason to reconsider their position. Causing a serious frenzy wherever he goes and hosting "SNL" before he’s legally able to buy a drink is a sure sign that he’s made it to the front of the pack. Watch your back, Pattinson.
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