Kurt Russell, long known for his deep admiration of Marlon Brando, recently shared who he considers the most talented living Hollywood actor. Speaking candidly about his views, Russell’s choice for the top spot may surprise fans and industry insiders alike, with his selected performer standing out from the usual well-established names.
Kurt Russell’s Admiration Shifts After Brando’s Passing
For decades, Kurt Russell has maintained that Marlon Brando was the greatest actor ever to grace cinema screens. However, since Brando’s death in 2004, Russell was left to reconsider who might now hold the title of the finest living thespian. Only three months after Brando’s passing, Russell encountered an actor who left a lasting impression during their first day working together on a film set—a meeting that would shape his opinion for years to come.
Unexpected Choice: Not the Usual Hollywood Icons
Russell has previously remarked that Meryl Streep is among the industry’s closest contenders to Brando’s legacy, noting her place in the pantheon of all-time greats. Nevertheless, Russell’s pick for the most gifted current performer comes from a less predictable corner of Hollywood, bypassing names like Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Anthony Hopkins, who are often cited as top-tier living actors. Instead, his choice is someone he worked with on a family drama centered around horse racing.
Russell’s Bold Praise for Dakota Fanning
When director Quentin Tarantino was casting for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Russell made his opinion clear by personally vouching for a young contender. He told Tarantino,
Quentin, Dakota Fanning is the best actress in Hollywood,
Russell said. He went on to affirm,
She is absolutely the best actress in Hollywood. She is the best.
—Kurt Russell, Actor. This endorsement was not made lightly. Russell’s collaboration with Dakota Fanning began during the filming of Dreamer in 2005, where Fanning, then only ten years old, already impressed him with her talent and professionalism.
Dakota Fanning’s Early Success and Continuing Influence
Prior to Dreamer, Dakota Fanning had already made a name for herself by acting alongside major stars such as Denzel Washington in Man on Fire, Robert De Niro in Hide and Seek, Sean Penn in I Am Sam, and Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds. Her experience, even at a young age, set her apart from her peers. When Fanning later auditioned for the role of Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme, a member of the Manson Family, in Tarantino’s film, she amazed both the director and Russell with her unique preparation. Tarantino recounted,
She’s the best actress in Hollywood. She is obviously doing this. She has trained her eyes not to blink.
—Quentin Tarantino, Director.
Industry Recognition and Lasting Reputation
Although some may argue that Dakota Fanning is not the best actor in Hollywood, her skills are widely respected. She is known for being among the strongest performers of her generation, having accumulated almost 25 years of professional experience while still in her early thirties. The opinions of Kurt Russell and Quentin Tarantino, both recognized for their significant contributions to the film industry, lend serious weight to her reputation.
If such established figures as Tarantino and Russell, with their decades of insight into Hollywood and cinema legends, believe Dakota Fanning is the most gifted living actor, it raises important questions about how talent is recognized and valued today. While her name may not immediately spring to mind in discussions about all-time greats like Meryl Streep or Anthony Hopkins, the endorsements she has received suggest a reevaluation of contemporary acting excellence may be in order.
The recognition from Hollywood icons such as Kurt Russell and Quentin Tarantino will likely continue to shape perceptions of Dakota Fanning’s place in the industry. As the conversation about the greatest living actors evolves, Fanning’s remarkable abilities and the respect of her peers mark her as a continuing force in American film.
