Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

50 Greatest Actor Names

Features
By Greg Wakeman
Published 9 October 2012

What's in a name?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Tuesday Knight

Why We Love It: It’s both ridiculously dull and equally perplexing.Why would any parent name their child after a time of day? It’s preposterous.

But Tuesday and Rebecca Black should really team up for a musical tour. It would sell itself.

Sounds Like: A thoroughly relaxing evening.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Red Buttons

Why We Love It: Because Aaron Chwatt had the cojones to turn a fashion accessory into a name. There was no precedent for his decision. He's an inspiration!

You can only hope that when he was asked by his manager for possible new names, Aaron looked down at his feet and slowly worked his up through his attire: "What about black shoes? Brown pants? Red Cardigan? Erm… Red Buttons!?”

You may like
  • Casino Royale Next James Bond: The actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
  • (L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix in The Rip. The 25 best Netflix action movies to watch right now
  • Mission Impossible movies in order: Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt during Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning. Tom Cruise know he's "intense" to work with: "Trust me, the rumors are true"

Sounds Like: A Cold-War era B Movie.

Herb Rice

Why We Love It: It’s the only name on this list that you can legitimately order in a restaurant. You wouldn’t want it on its own, just as a side with some grilled fish or something, but that’s still a pretty impressive feat.

Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we’ve got you covered.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Also, it sounds like he should have been a bandleader in the 1950s: “And tonight at Carnegie Hall, it's the Herb Rice Five.”

Sounds Like: A tasty side dish.

Titus Welliver

Why We Love It: It's innately heroic and should be emblazoned on a coin.

You may like
  • Casino Royale Next James Bond: The actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
  • (L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix in The Rip. The 25 best Netflix action movies to watch right now
  • Mission Impossible movies in order: Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt during Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning. Tom Cruise know he's "intense" to work with: "Trust me, the rumors are true"

You can imagine an elderly statesman telling a group of children an old story about his former war buddy who rode victoriously back into town after single-handedly defeating an entire army, and finishing the tale with the immortal words, “And that man’s name was Titus Welliver!” Cue screams and yelps of joy.

Sounds Like: A founding father.

Qorianka Kilcher

Why We Love It: We’re not even sure if this is actually a name. But our ignorance aside, it really does give off a rather sexy and villainous vibe. It would suit a henchwoman from a 1970s Bond movie.

In all fairness, Q’orianka does mean “Golden Eagle” in Quechua, which is pretty sweet and infinitely better than any British names’ meaning.

Sounds Like: Um... literally nothing.

Rip Torn

Why We Love It: You can’t help but smile when you hear the Men In Black star mentioned. If Rip had been placed in charge of peace talks in war-torn areas across the globe we'd be living in a tranquil society with no problems whatsoever. Guaranteed.

If only his name was just the little bit longer though, imagine the possibilities? All in all he could be called something like Rip Slash Tear Split Torn. Too far?

Sounds Like: A broken jacket.

Michael J Fox

Why We Love It: It's the J that really elevates Fox's name. There's just so much mystery and sophistication wrapped in that one letter!

If it was just plain old Michael Fox he would never have reached the higher echelons of the acting fraternity.

Sounds Like: A sophisticated animal.

Ethan Hawke

Why We Love It: Jeremy Renner might have excelled as Hawkeye in The Avengers , but surely Ethan Hawke was slightly bitter that he wasn’t even considered for the role.

You can imagine that Hawke sees all, like a handsome deity or svelte Santa Clause.

Sounds Like: A bird of prey.

Clint Eastwood

Why We Love It: Regarded as probably the coolest actor to ever grace the screen, even his name is ruggedly handsome.

When the apocalypse strikes it’ll just be Clint and the cockroaches left fighting for supremacy. Our money’s on Eastwood.

Sounds Like: The last man standing.

Tom Cruise

Why We Love It: It exudes a casual confidence that makes you think he simply glides effortlessly across the globe doing exactly whatever he damn pleases. Which isn't too away far from the truth.

Cruise was only ever going to be an actor with such a belting name and it’s probably the reason why he’s been a mainstay of American cinema for close to three decades.

Sounds Like: A hit man.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Current page: Page 5

Prev Page Page 4
Greg Wakeman
Read more
Casino Royale
James Bond Movies Next James Bond: The actors who could replace Daniel Craig as the new 007
 
 
(L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix in The Rip.
Action Movies The 25 best Netflix action movies to watch right now
 
 
Mission Impossible movies in order: Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt during Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning.
Comedy Movies Tom Cruise know he's "intense" to work with: "Trust me, the rumors are true"
 
 
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Prime Video to watch right now
 
 
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights
Movies 20 best movies on HBO Max to watch right now
 
 
Marvel timeline: Tom Hiddleston looking straight ahead during season 1 of the Marvel series Loki.
Star Wars Movies Tom Hiddleston says Star Wars is "a very early introduction to moral clarity and the balance of goodness and love in the universe"
 
 
Latest in Movies
James Gunn and Peter Safran at the Clayface premiere
DC Movies James Gunn is out at DC Studios, as former Marvel exec takes over under Skydance
 
 
Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are once again debating one of the saga's biggest plot holes
 
 
John Cusack in 1408
Horror Movies A sequel to underrated 2007 Stephen King adaptation 1408 is in the works with original stars returning
 
 
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Superhero Movies Beyond the Spider-Verse composer reveals his emotional reaction to watching the movie
 
 
Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) in Dune: Part Three
Sci-Fi Movies Dune 3 fans are sharing their coolest theories about the movies, and you'll never watch them the same way again
 
 
Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Adventure Movies Indiana Jones returnee John Rhys-Davies was "very disappointed" with Dial of Destiny
 
 
Latest in Features
Duardin miniatures from the Khazalite Holds army range
Tabletop Gaming The new Khazalite Holds range proves that Age of Sigmar has some of Warhammer's best models
 
 
Cid smirks with his spear on his shoulders in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Final Fantasy FF7 Revelation's first dungeon is enough to impress me with its tighter combat
 
 
Link takes lava damage in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake's Dodongo Cavern
The Legend of Zelda I keep forgetting to jump in Ocarina of Time remake, and two dungeons in I'm yearning for classic controls
 
 
Godzilla with blue energy in Godzilla Minus Zero
Sci-Fi Movies Does Godzilla Minus Zero have a post-credits scene?
 
 
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect Mass Effect can still live on – Baldur's Gate 3 and Fable are proof
 
 
Godzilla being Godzilla
Sci-Fi Movies Godzilla Minus Zero ending explained: what happens to Ghidorah, who dies, and does it set up a sequel?
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Ahead of Ocarina of Time, Mario 64 was a learning moment for Miyamoto
    1
    Shigeru Miyamoto: "There are two types of games - well-made games and interesting games"
  2. 2
    Clair Obscur is a "good example" of why Mass Effect 5 doesn’t have to cost $200 million, former BioWare lead says
  3. 3
    James Gunn is out at DC Studios, as former Marvel exec takes over under Skydance
  4. 4
    Survive Your Ideas codes (November 2026) and how to redeem them for Free and Lucky Spins
  5. 5
    Auteurs like Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima "built this business," ex-PlayStation boss says

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...