my list of great actors and actresses in no particular order.

two long lists, but if you think about how many people are acting, this list is nothing. and this list really only encompasses the stars of today.

Actors
Brad Pitt (and im not judging superficially, he really is a good actor...its a bonus that he is
extremely pleasing to the eye) 
Morgan Freeman
Thommy Lee Jones
Sidney Poitier
Robert Redford
Peter Sellers
Al Pacino
Jaquin Phoenix
Don Cheadle
Ethan Hawke
Christopher Walken
Djimon Hounsou
Dustin Hoffman
Chow Yun-Fat
Anthony Hopkins
Ryan Gosling
Christian Bale
Leonardo DiCaprio

Actresses
Natalie Portman
Shirley MacClaine
Toni Collette
Liv Tyler
America Ferrera
Jennifer Garner - she can overdo it (i.e. Elektra, daredevil) but overall is amazing (i.e. Alias, pearl harbor, the kingdom)
Thandie Newton
Maggie Smith
Michelle Pfeiffer
Samantha Morton (only seen her in 3 movies, but I think she's amazing)
Rachel McAdams
Claire Danes
Zoe Saldana