The Best Western Movie Actors of All Time, Ranked From Worst to Best

The Western genre was born in the United States back in the early days of cinema, and over the decades, it has evolved into one of the most famous movie genres worldwide. It’s also given rise to some of the greatest actors in movie industry history, from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood. Read on to find out about the greatest Western actors of all time by looking at their contributions to this classic film genre, their acting chops in other genres, and their overall popularity among viewers worldwide. Ready?

After debuting in Halls of Montezuma, playing a marine officer, Richard Boone continued to star in numerous Western films. He played Pontius Pilate in The Robe and a detective in Vicki. He was cast as Dr. Konrad Styner in the medical series Medic. This role went on for two years, but in the meantime, he also made appearances in Western films. During the series’ run, he appeared as Sam Houston in the John Wayne epic The Alamo and as a weary cavalry captain in A Thunder of Drums.

Joel McCrea is a famous lead actor in non-Westerns as well as in Westerns. By the late Forties, his focus shifted mainly to Westerns. Randolph Scott, who had a very similar career to McCrea’s, came out of retirement to make the 1962 remake of Sam Peckinpah’s Ride the High Country. He's considered one of the most gifted and talented actors to have made Westerns.

Howard Hughes signed Jane Russell for The Outlaw, and it was the film that made Jane famous. Jane’s most significant achievement was in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where she played Dorothy Shaw alongside Marilyn Monroe. It does a very good job showing Jane’s sense of humor. She kept making movies throughout the 1950s, such as The Revolt of Mamie Stover and Gentleman Marry Brunettes, which showcased Jane's talents, showing just what an excellent actress she was.

American actress Rhonda Fleming has acted in more than 40 films, including Spellbound and Alfred Hitchcock’s, Out of the Past. She also starred in films such as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Home Before Dark, Pony Express, Slightly Scarlet, While the City Sleeps, and The Big Circus. She has created a legacy owing to her stellar performances in the Westerns.