Top 10 Modern Western Actors On Par With Eastwood & Wayne

Many legendary Western actors are still performing today, with some delivering work as impressive as that of icons like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. The Western is a historically important and popular genre in Hollywood, but its popularity declined after the 1970s.

Although Westerns aren’t as popular as they once were, there have still been some excellent films released in the last 40 years. In fact, because fewer Westerns are made now, the ones that are released really get noticed. Several have even been ranked among the best movies of the 21st century, and they often feature fantastic performances from talented Western actors.

Guy Pearce

While often associated with America, Western films have also been made in other countries, like Italy and Australia. In fact, one of the most acclaimed Westerns of the 21st century takes place in Australia and draws inspiration from the stories of 1880s bushrangers – outlaws who, in many ways, were the Australian equivalent of American Wild West figures.

Guy Pearce’s outstanding performance is what truly elevates The Proposition. He portrays Charlie Burns, a legendary bushranger with a fascinating history in the Australian outback, and delivers a compelling performance in a unique take on the Western genre.

Beyond his iconic work in that classic Western, I’ve noticed Pearce keeps appearing in films that feel very Western-influenced. Take The Convert, for example – it’s a 2023 historical drama set in New Zealand, and honestly, every time I see him in these kinds of roles, it just works. He’s perfectly cast as a Western character, every single time.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones is a remarkably versatile actor, and he’s particularly impressive in Westerns. His tough, no-nonsense persona is ideal for the genre, and he’s given performances that are arguably even better than those of John Wayne.

Jones appeared in No Country for Old Men, one of only two Westerns to make the New York Times’ list of the best films of the 21st century, as chosen by movie industry experts. In the film, Jones portrayed a tired and world-weary law enforcement officer, a role that fit perfectly within the conventions of the modern Western.

Tommy Lee Jones has been nominated for an Academy Award twice and is highly regarded as one of the best actors of his generation. He’s also a talented director, having directed and starred in the 2014 Western film, The Homesman. He’s appeared in several other Westerns, including The Comeback Trail, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, and Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Gil Birmingham

Gil Birmingham is known for playing characters rooted in the American West, even when the stories aren’t traditional Westerns. As a member of the Comanche tribe originally from San Antonio, he’s portrayed Native American characters in numerous films and television shows, making him a familiar face to fans of many different genres.

Gil Birmingham is widely recognized for playing Tribal Chairman Thomas Rainwater in the popular series Yellowstone. He’s also collaborated with Taylor Sheridan on films like Hell or High Water and Wind River. Additionally, he portrayed Red Knee in the 2013 movie The Lone Ranger.

Gil Birmingham is also known by younger audiences for his role as Billy Black, Jacob’s father, in The Twilight Saga. Although the series isn’t a Western, his character as a tribal elder brought a Western-like element to the popular fantasy romance.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld is quickly becoming a major young star, and she first gained widespread recognition at just 14 years old with her role in the film True Grit. This was a remake of the classic John Wayne Western, and Steinfeld played Mattie, a determined girl who enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn to track down her father’s killer.

Steinfeld’s strong performance earned her an Oscar nomination, establishing her as a promising young actress. At 18, she continued to build her career with a role in Tommy Lee Jones’s Western film, The Homesman.

Hailee Steinfeld has become well-known for her role as Kate Bishop in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but she continues to excel in Westerns. She recently starred in the 2025 historical horror film Sinners, set in the 1930s American South during the Jim Crow era.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson first became well-known on the TV show Cheers, which launched his successful movie career. What’s remarkable about him is that he has a very unique way of acting, yet he’s been able to seamlessly star in all kinds of different films.

He’s consistently delivered strong performances in various Western films. Notably, he appeared in the critically acclaimed No Country for Old Men by the Coen brothers, often considered one of the best Westerns of the 21st century. He also starred alongside Kevin Costner in The Highwaymen, a film based on the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

He’s also played several characters in Western-style productions, like Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is part of a science fiction and fantasy series.

Michelle Williams

Most people probably didn’t expect Michelle Williams to become known for Westerns, especially since she first gained fame on the teen show Dawson’s Creek in the late 1990s. But she quickly proved she was a talented actress, capable of excelling in any type of film.

Before becoming famous on Dawson’s Creek, she acted in the drama A Thousand Acres alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange, a film about three sisters who might inherit their family’s Iowa farm. Later, in 2005, she appeared in the critically acclaimed Western Brokeback Mountain.

I remember when Michelle Williams received an Oscar nod for her work in that earlier film – truly deserved! She’s continued to make fascinating choices, and I especially enjoyed her performance in the Western Meek’s Cutoff. It’s a beautifully understated film, and critics largely agreed – it currently holds an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins is a highly popular actor known for his work in Hollywood. He first gained widespread recognition on the TV show The Shield, and has since appeared in numerous films, notably including several successful Westerns.

Two of Stephen Goggins’ best-known roles in Western films came about because of director Quentin Tarantino. He appeared in the 2012 film Django Unchained with Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz, and later played Chris Mannix in Tarantino’s 2015 Western, The Hateful Eight. Many felt it was inspired casting, and he delivered strong performances in both movies.

Goggins has also acted in Western-themed television shows. He first gained recognition in the modern Western series Justified, where he played a villain. Currently, he stars in Fallout, a sci-fi Western series inspired by the popular video game franchise.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank first gained widespread attention for her powerful performance in the critically acclaimed film Boys Don’t Cry. She later received another Academy Award nomination for her role in Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby in 2004. These roles quickly established her as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses.

In 2014, Hilary Swank starred as one of the leads in Tommy Lee Jones’ Western film, The Homesman. The movie received critical praise and was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s still considered a standout role in Swank’s career, earning an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Though a short showcase, Swank’s performance clearly demonstrated her exceptional talent compared to many actresses, both past and present, in depicting a woman in the Old West. She was truly brilliant in the part.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell is known for starring in many different kinds of movies, including action and horror. But in the 1990s, he proved he was also excellent at Westerns, giving a standout performance as Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. Many felt his portrayal was even stronger than Kevin Costner’s in his own Wyatt Earp film.

Many consider Tombstone a classic Western, and while Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday is often highlighted, Kurt Russell delivered a strong portrayal of Wyatt Earp, a famous lawman from the Old West. Russell continued to take on diverse roles throughout his career, but his work in Tombstone solidified his status as a standout figure in Western films.

With memorable performances in films like The Hateful Eight (as John “The Hangman” Ruth) and Bone Tomahawk (as Sheriff Franklin Hunt), Kurt Russell proved his success in Westerns wasn’t a fluke. He continues to be considered one of the greatest Western actors ever.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner is today’s Western star most comparable to, and perhaps even better than, icons like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Despite his recent Western film, Horizon: An American Saga, not performing well in theaters, his previous work firmly establishes him as a legend in the genre.

Kevin Costner first became known for Westerns in 1985 with the film Silverado. This experience inspired him to personally invest in and create Dances With Wolves in 1990, which became a huge critical and commercial hit. He continued in the genre with Wyatt Earp in 1994 before moving on to other types of films.

Kevin Costner reaffirmed his status as a leading Western actor in 2003 with the film Open Range. His continued success with the popular TV series Yellowstone and the movie The Highwaymen solidifies his place as the premier actor in contemporary Westerns.

2025-12-27 00:22