An A-list actor is a leading movie star, one of the most sought-after and bankable stars in the Hollywood film industry. They are considered the foremost actors, with their name alone being enough to guarantee a hit at the box office.
But what is the significance of being an A-list actor? This article will explore the definition of an A-list actor, how they differ from other actors, and what makes them so successful.
A-List refers to famous, successful, top-earning professionals like prominent recording artists and celebrities, with a social status coveted by many, including current teen idols, with more high-earning opportunities.
The term “A-list actor” has been used in the entertainment business since the early 1900s and has gained widespread usage. It is a title given to actors on the silver screen who are considered the most bankable and exceptionally successful in their field.
These actors have achieved fame and success, putting them at the top of their profession. Their box-office success would also be at the hands of the most successful film directors who eventually earn celebrity status with them.
The term “A-list” first appeared in Variety magazine in the 1920s when they began ranking Hollywood stars based on box office performance. From that time, the term was accepted to refer to the creme de la creme of Hollywood talents.
A-lister actors also get high-paying contracts. They can easily negotiate for higher pay than other actors citing their star influence on the audience and within showbusiness.
In the movie business, there is a rating system for actors, the “A-list” rating is traditionally used. This system guides the categorization of actors and performers with fame and box office returns as the biggest metrics.
The A-list celebrities are the highest-grossing stars in Hollywood each year, typically actors who have starred in multiple blockbuster films or major award winners. Producers and casting directors seek them out because they can draw in press coverage and viewership.
Other ratings may include B-list celebrities, C-list, D-list, etc. Still, these ratings tend to be more subjective and less formal than the A-list rating since they are based on something other than any particular metric, such as box office numbers or award wins.
Filmmakers continue to rely on the A-list rating system to identify the actors that would bring in huge returns for their projects.
MPAA and IMDb Rating Systems
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) have rating systems for actors and actresses.
The MPAA rating system is for the classification of films as to their appropriateness for their audiences, like the rating G for general audiences or the rating NC-17 for no admittance to anyone under 17.
Among A-lister actors and actresses acquiring an IMDb StarMeter rating of at least 8 are Robert de Niro, Marlon Brando, Denzel Washington, Jack Nicholson, Katharine Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Humphrey Bogart.
Significant Trademarks of A-List Actors
Salary
Members of the acting profession receive varying salaries in each movie based on their presence in the A-list and other variables. Different studios have their own factors in consideration of their stars’ fees. The actors’ managers could also play a role in negotiating their fees.
Many actors with A-List status could earn as much as 50 to 100 million US dollars. As of mid-2022, the most bankable A-list actors, including Samuel Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks, etc., collectively gathered more than five billion dollars at the US and Canadian box offices.
Movies To Watch
There are many entertainment and movie websites that list memorable movies and blockbusters that you could watch to see what it takes to be an actor or actress on the A-list. Recent examples would be The Wolf of Wall Street with Leonardo DiCaprio, American Hustle with Bradley Cooper, Transformers Age of Extinction with Mark Wahlberg and Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr.
The list includes Avatar, The Avengers End Game, Titanic, Star Wars, Jurassic World, The Lion King, Fast & Furious, Frozen, Black Panther, Beauty & The Beast, The Incredibles, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Lord of the Rings, Transformers, Toy Story, Aladdin, Finding Dory, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, The Jungle Book, etc.
Earlier decades had top-grossing films holding the box office at #1 for ten weeks or more, like ET (1982) at 16 weeks, Titanic (1997) at 15, Beverly Hills Cop (1984), and Tootsie (1982) at 14 weeks, Home Alone (1990) at 12 weeks, Back to the Future (1985) at 11 weeks, and Ghostbusters (1984) at ten weeks.
James Ulmer and the Hollywood Hot List
James Ulmer is an influential Hollywood insider, director, and producer of films and television shows that have gained critical and commercial successes, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for his work on NBC’s ‘The West Wing.’
Ulmer has become famous for his Hollywood Hot List, which he publishes yearly to feature top and rising talent in film, television, and music. He has made what is now known in Hollywood as the Ulmer Scale, from which those who score 90+ get into the A+ list. Being listed means the actor’s name alone can generate most if not all, the financial backing to greenlight a project.
Following the A+ list are the A list, B+ list, B list, C list, and D list. The actors in all the lists are not all the same each year.
Ulmer’s list presents top-tier actors, directors, writers, producers, musicians, and rising stars worldwide. It is an opportunity to discover an international talent that may not be as popular yet in the US.
The popularity of Ulmer’s list has caused this list to be featured in huge publications like Variety Magazine and even in The New York Times. Film studio giants and production companies have also been relying on the list for scouting new talent for their projects.
Examples
Examples of current A-list actors include Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Robert Downey Jr., Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, and Tom Cruise.
The 2000s gave audiences and the public an amazing line-up of A-listers who have made impressive performances etching their names forever in the audience’s (and the studios’) minds. From Meryl Streep to Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks to Johnny Depp, Hilary Swank to Michelle Williams, Matt Damon to Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio to Kate Winslet, these stars have all made their mark in the 21st century.
Other notable names include Eva Gabor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jacqueline Gadsden, Lady Gaga, Tilda Swinton, Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal, Bill Nighy, Andrea King, Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, André Kostelanetz, and Annette Kellerman.
Many of these actors aren’t just famous or high profit-earners for their studios. They are also great actors with the talent to boost their fame, often getting nominations or awards for Best Actor or Actress in the prestigious awards bodies and festivals of the movie and television industry.
Conclusion
You have read how an A-list actor is famous, in demand by producers and studio executives, gets huge salaries and usually does not need to audition for roles. B-listers are usually the second or alternate choices and may need to audition for roles.
The path to becoming an A-list actor is not easy, but it is possible with hard work and dedication. It requires honing your craft, networking with industry professionals, and building relationships with casting directors. It also involves being prepared for auditions and having a good understanding of the business side of acting.
A: A B-list actor is also admired, famous, or bankable, but not as much as A-listers. B-listers have lesser fame, usually given supporting roles despite being great actors. Their names are not as easy to remember by studio executives or directors.
