The 1970s were an amazing time for movies and acting. So many memorable performances.

Jack Nicholson’s performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is his best performance imo. He was at his best and just truly incredible.

Network is my favorite film of all time, so it´s so great to see the three winning performances on this list. Such a great decade indeed.

i.. never realized Cloris was an Oscar winner!! i'm so used to know her as a TV/comedy actress!

Love that Network features so many times on this list

Probably an unpopular opinion but here goes - After re-watching Cuckoo's Nest a couple years ago, I didn't find Nurse Ratched to be a completely evil villain. She wasn't a sympathetic character, but much of her behavior and attitude were defense mechanisms for working day in day out with her wards.

Great decade for acting!

1. Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cucko´s Nest 2. Jane Fonda, Klute 3. Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter 4. Marlon Brando, The Godfather 5. Faye Dunaway, Network 6. Peter Finch, Network 7. Liza Minnelli, Cabaret 8. Robert DeNiro, The Godfather Part II 9. Cloris Leachman, The Last Picture Show 10. Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cucko´s Nest Deservers: 1. Gena Rowlands, A Woman Under the Influence (Best Actress, 1974) 2. Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon and Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cucko´s Nest (Best Actor, 1975) 3. Robert DeNiro, Taxi Driver (Best Actor, 1976) 4. Gena Rowlands, Opening Night (Best Actress, 1977) 5. Jane Fonda, Klute (Best Actress, 1971) 6. Ingrid Bergman, Autumn Sonata (Best Actress, 1978) 7. Klus Kinski, The Wrath of God (Best Actor, 1972) 8. Malcom McDowell, A Clockwork Orange (Best Actor, 1971) 9. Liv Ullmann, Face to Face (Best Actress, 1976) 10. Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter (Best Supporting Actor, 1978) Runners-up: 11. Faye Dunaway, Chinatown (Best Supporting Actress, 1974) 12. Hannah Schygulla, The Marriage of Maria Brown (Best Actress, 1979) 13. Marlon Brando, The Godfather (Best Supporting Actor, 1972) 14. Cloris Leachman, (Best Supporting Actress , 1971) 15. Sissy Spacek, Three Women (Best Supporting Actress, 1977)

Another really great list. Maybe for one of your upcoming lists you could do “Best Oscar nominated performances that didn’t win” (I hope you don’t mind my suggestions) My List (2010’s) 1. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) 2. Margot Robbie (I,Tonya) 3. Denzel Washington (Fences) 4. Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) 5. Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) 6. Michael Keaton (Birdman) 7. Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) 8. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) 9. Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) 10. Emma Stone (Birdman) (Honorable mentions) Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) Judi Dench (Philomena) Adam Driver (Marriage Story) Sandra Bullock (Gravity) Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

The entire cast of The Last Picture Show was Oscar-worthy. And Ben and Cloris both won for basically one scene.

Great Video!!!! RIP to the sublime Ms. Louise Fletcher! ❤️🙏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I’m afraid I can’t get behind Burstyn for the Alice win, because….Gena Rowlands. I think her performance in A Woman Under The Influence was one of the Top 5 of the decade. Just breathtaking work! I suspect Ellen won because of her largesse and nomination for The Exorcist the year prior. I love Burstyn, though, and would have given it to her for Requiem For A Dream.

Leachman told Bagdanovich she wanted to do another take she felt she could do better. He told her she couldn't do any better he said she would win an Oscar and sure enough she did!

Ellen Burstyn commented at the time of the defenency of female roles in cinema that a supporting role wins for lead actress in regard to Fletcher's win. I believe Burstyn said it to Variety or Hollywood Reporter.

When people ask me who's your favorite actor I say Tom Hanks, which is true, only because I think of who is my favorite actor not retired. My favorite actor of all time is Jack Nicholson..perhaps I should start asking people to be more specific 😁. Now Jack wasn't nominated or didn't win for roles he should have, but this first win was the most deserving out of the 3 he won

Great list, I thought Liza would be number 1, but Nicholson is an equally great choice! Also, love the editing in these videos.

Great video! So many great performances to choose from. Well done!

What a great video. This one doesn't just show some great performances but contains such iconic ones as well. Thank you for including Cloris's win, so well deserved, such an awesome and heartbreaking performance. Love love Cloris. Would've been great if De Niro had won for Taxi Driver too...talk about great and iconic as well.

Great List, but I was a little bit suprised not to see DeNiro in Deer Hunter or Taxi driver included. Also Gena rowlands and al pacino (godfather and especially Dog day afternoon), BUT I love that you included all 3 network acting wins. I think all were very deserved, especially beatrice straight.

Would love to hear ur thoughts about this: There are actors who didnt win an oscar because it’s too soon since their last win, despite giving another (if not better) Oscar-worthy performance. Im thinking Jodie Foster in Nell, Tom Hanks in Cast Away, Denzel in Malcolm X, etc

Great video Brian!

My top 2 of the 70’s are Liza Minnelli And Fay dunaway For lead actress Actor Peter finch Marlon Brando Also RIP Louise fletcher

Glenda Jackson in Women in Love. Love her, director Ken Russell and writer Larry Kramer!

I know it’s not a popular choice but Maggie Smith in California Suite is a performance I can watch over and over again. I’m also biased.

I would have definitely had Christopher Walken in my top 10, his role as Nick in The Deer Hunter is sublime, heartbreaking & educated me on how a performance could be both enjoyable & not enjoyable at the same time. It's a movie not so much about war, but the aftermath of war & friendship & Walken's performance displays this perfectly.

Omg! The 70s! What a decade for great movies! ❤️

By the way I was pleased to see Brad Dourif was nominated for playing Billy Bibbit in Cuckoo’s Nest-his performance was outstanding especially for a first time performance!

Yayy another Network 😄❗️👏

My list: 1. Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" 2. Louise Fletcher in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" 3. Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" 4. Robert de Niro in "The Godfather: Part II" 5. Maggie Smith in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" 6. Faye Dunaway in "Network" 7. Richard Dreyfuss in "The Goodbye Girl" 8. Cloris Leachman in "The Last Picture Show" 9. Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" 10. Jane Fonda in "Coming Home" HM. Christopher Walken in "The Deer Hunter" HM. Liza Minelli in "Cabaret" HM. Art Carney in "Harry and Tonto" HM. Jon Voight in "Coming Home" HM. Gene Hackman in "The French Connection"

@Ahn Mensch great decade for movies in general! I really miss the era of director driven movies about personal character based stories, but that’s also an era where audiences had an appetite for stuff like that and studie heads knew that’s what made money, and I hope we see a time like that again someday…

Oh how I miss Jack’s screen presence and charisma😢. I just want one more new performance from Nicholson.

After watching network, I actually went to my window and scream I'm mad as hell and I won't talk it anymore

Faye Dunaway in Network is my favorite of that decade

Great list again, pretty much agree with the names and the placements. I would perhaps replace the honourable mentions for Tatum and Beatrice (i love this performance, wish she had one or two more scenes though to include here on this list). I'd replace them with both spouses Kramer - though i know you consider those as 1980 wins). I also have to say i still have not seen any of the Glenda Jackson's wins... looking forward to your 1960s list :))))

Good choices. Thanks for including Cloris Leachman in your top 10; that performance will stay with me always. Question: have you sped up the clips because you want to tighten your running time, or is there another reason?

Meryl Streep in Kramer vs Kramer 🔥💯

Great job as always. I’m amazed George C. Scott didn’t make the cut. I thought he was amazing! Granted, there are many of these performances you mentioned I have not seen yet, but here’s my list currently: 1. Marlon Brando-The Godfather 2. Robert De Niro-The Godfather Part II 3. George C. Scott-Patton 4. Jack Nicholson-One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 5. Louise Fletcher-One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 6. Diane Keaton-Annie Hall 7. Richard Dreyfuss-The Goodbye Girl 8. Sally Field-Norma Rae 9. Faye Dunaway-Network 10. Christopher Walken-The Deer Hunter HM: Peter Finch-Network, Gene Hackman-The French Connection, Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep-Kramer vs. Kramer

40 people did not win the 40 trophies, because some people won the Oscar twice in the 1970s: Jane Fonda, Glenda Jackson, Jason Robards. And there were not ties in a category. But "around 40 people won" does not have the same ring to it, I guess.

Dunaway was hot in the 70's. Also in a lot of good movies.

Honestly, I don't think much can compare with the seventies in terms of the impact of the films, the actors, the directors - it is a watershed period for American films, if not an embarrassment of riches: Cabaret, Network, The Godfather I & II, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver, Chinatown, Dog Day Afternoon, Star Wars - these (as well as others) are all landmark films that set high water marks in their respective genres, if not templates for the industry that have yet to be bettered. In terms of sheer cultural influence, the gravitational pull of the films from the 70s remains undiminished, as relevant today as when they first appeared. We really can't that about any other decade. Sure, there are great films in every decade, but the seventies served 'em up on a platter. Utterly amazing!

My Top Ten Acting Oscar Winners of the 1970's from 1970-1979 1. Marlon Brando (The Godfather) 2. Jack Nicholson (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest) 3. Liza Minnelli (Cabaret) 4. George C. Scott (Patton) 5. Faye Dunaway (Network) 6. Jane Fonda (Klute) 7. Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II) 8. Sally Field (Norma Rae) 9. Peter Finch (Network) 10. Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show) My Top Five Honorable Mentions 1. Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest) 2. Tatum O'Neal (Paper Moon) 3. Gene Hackman (The French Connection) 4. Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter) 5. Ellen Burstyn (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore)

Great list. Love the love for the Network performances. What a decade!

Thank you for this. Have you ever considered doing other categories? I know that there are only ten winners in each category per decade. But what if you did the best nominees in the directing, writing, picture, editing etc. categories per ten years regardless of whether or not they actually won?

Agree!

I love Lisa in cabaret I would’ve to see cicely Tyson to win for sounder but in todays landscape she would’ve probably nominated/won in the supporting actress category otherwise Liza deserved her Oscar her performance in cabaret is one of the greatest Hollywood musical performances of all time

My list (leading categories) 1. Marlon Brandon for The Godfather 2. Liza Minelli for Cabaret 3. Jack Nicholson for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 4. Jane Fonda for Klute 5. Louise Fletcher for One Flew Over the Cuckos Nest 6. Sally Field for Norma Rae 7. Faye Dunaway for Network 8. Peter Finch for Network 9. Diane Keaton for Annie Hall 10. Dustin Hoffman for Kramer vs. Kramer Supporting categories: 1. Cloris Leachman for The Last Picture 2. Maggie Smith for California Suite 3. Christopher Walken for The Deer Hunter 4. Robert De Niro for The Godfather part II 5. Meryl Streep for Kramer vs. Kramer 6. Joel Grey for Cabaret 7. Vanesa Redgrave for Julia 8. Tatum O'Neall for Paper Moon

Great list, I would have had Joel Grey at Number 1

RIP Louise Fletcher

Jack Nicholson knew, the year before, the he had that trophy in the bag for Cuckoo's nest. He even said so the Oscar night 1 year prior. He steam rolled!!

All choices that are hard to argue with but one is sorely missing and that's Sally Field for Norma Rae. Naturalistic, non-showy and so raw.

If he did win, I would've put Alex Guinness from star wars in the top 5

Great one Brian. However, I feel (in my opinion), the following should’ve been included: Helen Hayes for Airport Meryl Streep for Kramer V/s Kramer Glenda Jackson for A Touch of Class Vanessa Redgrave for Julia Job Voight for Coming Home

I couldn't believe I was seeing Marlon Brando in The Godfather land at #4!!! I swore he was gonna be #1 as always I can't believe Ellen Burstyn isn't here either!!!

1971'a winner GEORGE C. SCOTT in 1970's PATTON did not even get a mention !!! He should have been top three at least !!!!

After watching 10-2 I was ready to accept Beatrice Straight as #1. Would have been more fitting than the also rans.

Would love to hear your thoughts about the apparent, shall we say, "trend" I've heard about where people win Oscars and then follow that up shortly thereafter with releasing the worst movie of their career. Yes, I know they probably have already made the movie before getting the award, but it does seem quite coincidental. Just wondering.

great list. but "Patton" ´s George C. scott should have been there somewhere.

what's going on with the pickford/percentage joke in nicholson's speech at the end there?

I’ve actually never seen The Last Picture Show. 😮

I still can’t believe that Rocky beat Network. Really??

Dunaway in Network is great, but I’d be hesistant about calling it “a performance of a lifetime.” Performances in Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde, Thomas Crown Affair, and even the over-the-top Mommie Dearest, make that claim too hard to make definitively.

I lived through the 70’s and the only one of these I saw was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest. Of course, I was only a child so I probably needed an adult’s permission and they were not at the top of my list for watching when I was old enough.

Milos Foreman, one flew over the cookoos nest, Woody Allen, Annie Hall, Francis Ford Coppola, The godfather movies, the writing of Paddy Chayefsky, Network. Literally does not get better than this in the history of Cinema. In these tremendous acting performances which were just unbelievable are a complete credit to these amazing directors and writers.

My 10. In no order of favorites lol just listing them. 1. Jane Fonda Klute 2. George C Scott 3. Beatrice Straight 4. Jack Nicholson 5. Sally Field 6. Meryl Streep 7. Diane Keaton 8. Glenda Jackson WIL 9. Maggie Smith CS 10. Robert DeNiro.

Ms Fletcher was one rare breed in that she could have went supporting (these days would be easy) but she went lead as she Was lead, had not too many lines and Still won. Side note, her competition was weak, cough, like Bullock on her year.

Al Pacino should have been in that list if only he would won for godfather… would he be in your list if he was the winner? Also I think Sly should have won for Rocky instead of Peter Finch.

Jack Lemmon in _Save The Tiger_ makes my list. A complex tour de force. Same for Ellen Burstyn in _Alice._ And Jill Clayburgh was robbed in '79.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with Nicholson, but I do agree that he should be #1 on this list. My footnote, however, is that he's been playing that same character ever since. He's often very good, but I never get passed the fact that I'm watching Jack giving us yet another Jack.

The French Connection was a crime drama film and Klute was a mystery film.

Jack Jack Jack ❤

You left out Geraldine Page in 1978’s Woody Allen’s “Interiors”, nominated for the Oscar’s Best Actress. She did win the BAFTA Award, though.

Sally Field for Norma Rae should be on this list. Three performances for Network in the top ten is excessive.

I don't know how I never took note of the fact that Cloris Leachman is an Oscar winner 🤔

I am amazed that Glenda Jackson did not make the list, as she won two best actress Oscars in the 1970s, just like Jane Fonda. It's probably because Glenda doesn't beat her own drum like Jane did.

Not easy to rank them it could come in a different order because the performances are equally strong and memorable. 1. Liza Minnelli Cabaret 2. Joel Grey Cabaret 3. Sally Field Norma Rae 4. Cloris Leachman The Last Picture Show 5. Peter Finch Network 6. Jack Nicholson One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest 7. Jane Fonda Klute 8. Robert DeNiro The Godfather part II 9. Ellen Burstyn Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore 10. Louise Fletcher One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Honorable mentions Beatrice Straight Network Faye Dunaway Network Meryl Streep Kramer vs Kramer Christopher Walken The Deer Hunter Ben Johnson One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Poor Louise Fletcher, the original "Whoopi" curse. After oscar noms/wins was relegated to a series of subpar films

Jane Fonda Klute yes, this list is spot on Brian.

Unpopular opinion. I re as lly think 1973 Oscar shoukda went to Cicely Tyson for Sounder instead of Liza Minelli. Tyson was such a legend. Beyond brilliant. Even Diana Ross seemed more deserving to Many people. So it's hard to put Minelli such a high rank for me if I knkw Tyson (imo) did better.

I am sorry, but while I do agree that Miss Dunaway is a talented actress, her turn in Network was awarded simply because--like Bette Davis and other other actresses before her--it was a 'make up' award because she did not get the award years earlier for Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde. I am not claiming that Miss Dunaway did not do a great job in Network, she did, but Sissy Spacek nailed the role of Carrie White in her hit film Carrie of the same year. Sissy was by turns vulnerable and strong, showing a strong transformation from punching bag into a strong woman of purpose. What is more Sissy was so good in the role she actually took what was essentially a 'school shooter' by today's standards and making the audience forget at the end of the film that she was a mass murderer, and giving her the sympathy of the audience.

My favorite performance of the 70s was that of Al Pacino in "The Godfather Part II". Other remarkable ones include: Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver Jane Fonda in Klute Diane Keaton in Annie Hall (and Manhattan) Dustin Hoffman in Marathon Man Nastassja Kinski in Tess Christopher Walken in Deer Hunter Sissy Spacek in Carrie (and Badlands) Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon (and Serpico) Isabelle Adjani in The Story of Adele H. Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence Gene Hackman in The French Connection Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now (and Badlands) Sigourney Weaver in Alien Sally Field in Norma Rae Peter Finch in Sunday Bloody Sunday Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

I personally don’t think Fonda was that great in Klute.

She looks a lot like Toni corlette here 1:27

Liza Minelli GOAT

Sorry but placing Annie Hall over Burstyn is flabbergasting. Its putting one of the weakest and most forgettable wins over one of the absolute greatest.

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