We started with the ladies yesterday so today let’s talk about my favorite actors who have won Oscars for their performances.

Best Actor Oscar Winners

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird was perfection.  Did you know that the actor who played Tom Robinson in TKAM read the eulogy at Peck’s funeral?  I love that!  He won the 1962 Oscar.

Jimmy Stewart won the 1940 Oscar for playing Mike Connor in my favorite movie The Philadelphia Story.  The cast was full of all-stars and he shone as bright as any of them.  Not many people can say they were WWII and Vietnam War vets AND be one of the best and most beloved actors of all time.

Anthony Hopkins was masterful in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs as Hannibal Lecter.  That role is iconic and one of the most chilling villains ever.

Dustin Hoffman‘s 1988 win for his portrayal of an autistic Raymond Babbit  in Rain Man is what has him on my shortlist, but he also won in 1979 for Kramer Vs. Kramer.

Marlon Brando‘s iconic role was Vito Corleone in The Godfather movies, for which he won and Oscar in 1972, but it was his turn in On the Waterfront that made me sit up and take notice.  He won the Oscar for that in 1954.

Best Supporting Actor Winners

Jared Leto as Rayon in Dallas Buyer’s Club was heart wrenching and totally deserving of his 2013 trophy.

Lou Gossett Jr.’s 1982 win for and An Officer and a Gentleman was refreshing.  Whenever I catch parts of the movie on tv I’m always looking forward to the scenes with Gossett and Richard Gere.

Kevin Spacey is not a popular choice these days but his role in The Usual Suspects when he won his first Oscar in 1995 was so good.  He also won Best Actor in 1999 for American Beauty.

Tommy Lee Jones won in 1993 for The Fugitive.  He was the perfect foil for Harrison Ford.

So do you have a favorite among my favorites?