Humphrey Bogart: Christ Jesus, what a fucking actor. I didn't really know much about him until I was in my 20s, but someone showed me High Sierra and I was hooked. I followed that up with Maltese Falcon and his magnum opus, Casablanca. He had this amazing, understated presence and intensity. He died long before I was born, but I wish I could see him in films today. I'd love to see him work with a director like Alfonso Cuarón or Darren Aronofsky.
Paul Newman: I'll be the first to admit I've probably not even seen a quarter of Newman's movies, but Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke, Towering Inferno, Butch Cassidy, and The Sting were all absolute classics for good reason. A career like that alone would garner my praise, but what really sets Newman apart was his incredible philanthropic work. According to wiki, he'd ended up donating more than $300 million to charity. This was a talented actor and a great man that the world should rightly miss.
Jimmy Stewart: I don't understand it. Every Christmas it's on and every year I love watching it. I watch it by myself or I watch it with family or I watch it with someone I care about and every year it warms my heart and—forgive the cliche—fills my heart with that special Christmas spirit. Where would the world be without that classic slice of Americana known as It's a Wonderful Life? Add to that such favorites as Vertigo, Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (a personal favorite), and Liberty Valance, and you have arguably the most iconic American actor, defining the Golden Age of Hollywood. I would have liked to have met Jimmy Stewart once before he passed away in 1997, if only to tell him how much he helped to define my childhood love of Christmas.
George C. Scott: One of the most amazing comedic moments in one of the funniest movies in history was this line, "I, uh, don't think it's quite fair to condemn a whole program because of a single slip-up, sir." Dr. Strangelove stands apart from most every other comedic film of all time as a unique, classic, and beloved war paranoia parody, and half of the credit for that undoubredly goes to George C. Scott's performance as General Buck Turgidson. Counterbalance that silly genius with the groundbreaking and legendary title role in Patton, and you have one of the most distinguished acting careers in history.
Peter Sellers: The other half of the reason Dr. Strangelove was so amazing, of course, was the comedic genius of Peter Sellers. One has to admit that Peter Sellers is the most gifted comedic actor since Charlie Chaplin and arguably the best since. It all developed from his sharp mind and perfect timing. This is what made The Pink Panther and Being There, like Dr. Strange Love, so unbelievably hilarious. I would very much like to have shared a cup of tea with him.
Fred Astaire: How in the world can someone simultaneously be one of the best dancers in the world, one of the best singers in the world, and one of the best actors in the world? Ask Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. It was like someone took one part raw talent, one part showmanship, and one part entertainer and boiled them down to their bare essences. I have never in my life seen anyone as graceful as Fred or Ginger. Their movements were so perfect, that they inspired dancers for generations after across many styles. As someone not born with the gift of dance, I would have liked to get a lesson or two.
Orson Welles: Finally we come to it: the greatest actor who ever lived (also the greatest director, and one of the best screenwriters and producers). It's too often cited as the greatest film in history, but Citizen Kane, behind the perceived snootiness and critical prestige, is a masterwork in storytelling made possible only by the unmatched talent and skills of Orson Welles. There shall never be one like him again.