Jane Greer in Out of the Past. So sweet and innocent looking until she murders Robert Mitchum's ex-partner in cold blood. Doesn't stop with him, either.
Bogart Edward G Cagney Mitchum Along with a seemingly endless list of other great older and more current actors…
Margaret Wycherly as Ma Jarrett in “White Heat”. Absolutely creepy Tony Sirico as Paulie “Walnuts” Gaultieri in “Sopranos” Charles Laughton.
Gene Hackman - The Quick and the Dead, or just about anything he plays the villain in. Raymond Cruz as Tuco in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Very disturbing character. Heath Ledger in The Dark Night. Great psycho portrayal.
Did anyone cite Angela Lansbury yet? I was surprised how great a villain she was (Manchurian Candidate)
Keanu Reeves No, bear with me, I've only seen one film where he plays a bad guy (The Gift) and it was his most convincing role.
John Malkovich In The Line Of Fire Con Air Ripley's Game Couple other movies I'm forgetting. Besides being great at playing villains, he's also great at playing sleazebags, who aren't necessarily villains.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned Henry Fonda as the main villain in Once Upon A Time In The West. An incredible performance.
You can't leave off his quotable role as Sully from Commando: Sully : Here, have some beers in Val Verde, Matrix. It'll give everyone a little more time with your daughter. John Matrix : You're a funny guy Sully, I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last. --------------------------------- John Matrix : [holds Sully upside-down over a cliff by his leg] Listen, loyalty is very touching. But it is not the most important thing in your life right now! But what IS important is gravity! I have to remind you Sully, this is my weak arm! Sully : You can't kill me Matrix! You need me to find your daughter! John Matrix : Where is she? Sully : I don't know. But Cooke knows, I'll take you to where I'm supposed to meet him! John Matrix : But you won't. Sully : Why not? John Matrix : Because I already know. Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last? Sully : That's right, Matrix! You did! John Matrix : I lied. [Matrix releases Sully, who falls to his demise]
Marlon Brando as Lee Clayton in The Missouri Breaks Brando is brilliant and at his most eccentric. The Lee Clayton character he created and plays is mesmerizing.