Devin Jacobs
There’s something about these TV actors that hooks you. Maybe it’s their charm, their flawless performances, or just the way they bring their characters to life. Whatever it is, we can’t get enough of them. Here are 15 TV stars who have us tuning in again and again.
Bryan Cranston
‘Breaking Bad’s’ Walter White came to life through Bryan Cranston’s acting. The character transforms from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug kingpin in a stunning screenplay. Cranston bagged four Emmys for this role and is now considered a TV legend. His character showed the dark side of human nature with chilling realism.
Gillian Anderson
As Dana Scully in ‘X-Files’, Gillian Anderson rose to fame and became an icon of the 90s. Anderson won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and two SAG Awards for her outstanding performance as a dubious FBI agent investigating peculiar cases. Inspired by the protagonist, a generation of women are now pursuing science and law enforcement careers.
Steve Carell
Let’s admit it, ‘The Office’ wouldn’t be the same without Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. His cringe-worthy yet comedic role of a boss has viewers in stitches. This career-defining role scored Carell a Golden Globe. Michael Scott has turned into one of the most iconic characters in TV history. All thanks to Steve Carell’s incredible acting!
Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball broke new ground as Lucy Ricardo in ‘I Love Lucy.’ Her wacky housewife antics paved the way for women in comedy. TV history will never be the same after Ball’s groundbreaking performance. With impeccable timing and satirical delivery, she established a new benchmark for sitcoms in the modern era.
James Gandolfini
The role of James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in ‘The Sopranos’ was quite loved. Balancing mob life and family drama, Gandolfini brought a troubled antihero to life and forever redefined the backdrop of television drama. Notably, Gandolfini took home three Emmys and three SAG Awards.
Mariska Hargitay
For over two decades, Mariska Hargitay has played Olivia Benson in ‘Law & Order: SVU’. One of the finest TV actors of the century, she became well-known for her role as a detective. The aim of Hargitay’s on-screen persona was to increase public awareness of personal safety. This critically acclaimed film received several accolades, including an Emmy.
Edie Falco
‘The Sopranos’ Carmela rose to fame through Edie Falco’s brilliant acting. The actor’s rendering of a woman caught between her loyalty to her husband and her moral compass shone through the entirety of the series. In her Emmy acceptance speech in 1999, Falco expressed her love for the show and gratitude to the cast and crew.
Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer in the drama series ‘24’ kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Playing the role of a counter-terrorism agent under intense time pressure established Sutherland as an iconic action hero in the country. This fast-paced film raised the bar for action films on television.
Sarah Jessica Parker
In ‘Sex and the City’, her engrossing portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw made her a style icon. Bradshaw, a columnist going through a tough relationship, became an emblem of female independence and friendship in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
‘Seinfeld’ would be incomplete without Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes. Her sarcastic role as an ex-girlfriend made audiences into a barrel of laughs. Louis-Dreyfus’s comedic genius earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Through Elaine, Dreyfus challenged the stereotypes surrounding women in comedy and made the way for future female comedians.
Jon Hamm
Mysterious Don Draper was masterfully portrayed by Jon Hamm in ‘Mad Men.’ A brooding ad executive in the 1960s with a hidden past, the character became a favorite among the fangirls. The performance ultimately earned Hamm a Golden Globe and seven Emmy nominations.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis made history with her role as Annalise Keating in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Her Emmy award-winning performance of a black attorney navigating personal and professional challenges in her life showcased Davis’s incredible range as an artist.
Tatiana Maslany
In ‘Orphan Black’, Tatiana Maslany stunned viewers by playing multiple distinct clones. This Canadian actor rose to fame by playing multiple characters in this science-fiction series on TV and went on to become a household name in the United States.
Sterling K. Brown
‘This Is Us’ showcased Sterling K. Brown’s talent as Randall Pearson. The emotional journey of an adoptee searching for his birth father resonated deeply with audiences and moved them to tears. Brown’s touching rendition of familial ties and personal struggles bagged two Emmys and a Golden Globe.
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke’s role as Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Game of Thrones’ was a force to be reckoned with. Television critics praised Clarke for her impersonation of strength, vulnerability, and ambition in a stunning cinematographic journey from an exile to a powerful queen. This show garnered four Emmy nominations for Clarke.