Essentials by Actor

Essentials by Actor: Ewan McGregor

A Scottish actor who easily moves from art house to big budget, Ewan McGregor was best known for his portrayal as a heroin addict in Danny Boyle's Trainspotting, then found mainstream success as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. A charming romantic lead, McGregor is famously fearless as an actor and always fun to watch.

›Essentials by Actor: Ewan McGregor

Essentials by Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of those actors who make it look easy, and because he does, when you're watching him you forget that he's an actor who's just performing, and not an actual character who's really living that life on the screen. He became a household name with his Academy Award®-winning performance as the title character in Capote. Previous to that, however, he was already building up one of the strongest resumes in Hollywood by taking on challenging roles in substantive films that often had limited appeal, but artistic depth. As such he gained credibility and proved he could play a wide range of characters convincingly. These titles provide a look at his best work and show you what people mean when they say that he's one of those actors who comes along once in a generation

• Capote
• Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
• Charlie Wilson's War

›Essential Philip Seymour Hoffman DVDs

Essentials by Actor: Clint Eastwood

From the Man with No Name to Dirty Harry Callahan, Clint Eastwood has proven that no one plays the cool-headed hero better. Time and again, Eastwood's laconic presence has been detailed in exquisite performances ranging from romantic comedy to contemporary drama.

›Essentials by Actor: Clint Eastwood

Essentials by Actor: Dustin Hoffman

Bursting onto the scene in Mike Nichols's The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman redefined accepted perceptions of the screen hero, and in so doing paved the way for other actors of "unconventional" appearance and exceptional skill. A character actor with the capacity to command leading roles, Hoffman is both a gifted chameleon (as in Tootsie) and one of the finest contemporary actors in the history of American film.

›Essentials by Actor: Dustin Hoffman

Essentials by Actor: Jet Li

One of the most graceful action stars, Jet Li emerged from China, where he was a wushu world champion, into the film industry with Shaolin Temple in 1982. While his stage name implies his lightning-fast speed, it's actually a shortened version of his real first name, Liang-Jie, because it wouldn't fit on a marquee. He entered the Hollywood movie scene in 1998's Lethal Weapon 4, and introduced a whole new audience to his fists of fury. Check out our Essential Jet Li movies.

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