Ten Most Underrated Actors

1: Kevin Bacon

He became a teen idol with Footloose and a midnight movie god with Tremors, but when will critics finally realise that Kevin Bacon is the finest actor of all time, ever? (OK, that might be pushing it. But he's really, really good.)

Let's examine the evidence. Sure, he may have the Bon Jovi-like good looks, and appeared in some proper 80s cheesefests, but he's since done his best to completely undercut his early, unchallenging career. He excels at playing wicked, or morally compromised, individuals. See him as the sleazy male prostitute in JFK, flirting with Kevin Costner. Or as the sadistic prison guard in Sleepers. The swaggering mad scientist in Hollow Man.

And perhaps bravest of all, a convicted sex offender in The Woodsman (would Tom Hanks or Morgan Freeman ever take such a daring role?). Despite delivering a perfectly judged performance as the sympathetic yet disturbing lead, he was completely ignored by the Oscars. Here's to a brave and underrated actor!