The Best Actors Who Have Played Hamlet, Ranked

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As a cinephile captivated by timeless stories, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s Prince – a character that has graced the stage for over four centuries and holds more lines than any other in his entire canon! Be it on prestigious stages, silver screens, televisions or through broadcasts beaming unique portrayals to audiences worldwide, this role has transcended the boundaries of a single theater, offering us endless interpretations and a timeless legacy.

These performances have been kept for future viewing thanks to archived recordings, adaptations on screen, and tapings during festivals. Places like the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, and Broadway theaters have often hosted these plays. Some of these performances have reached global audiences through movie releases or live broadcasts in cinemas.

15. Kevin Kline

In New York, Kevin Kline took on the lead role at The Public Theater. Later, he both directed and starred in a television adaptation for ‘Great Performances’. This recording showcased a nearly complete stage performance and allowed his portrayal to reach audiences nationwide across the U.S.

During this period, he played his part as the Public Theater was broadening the availability of classic works, offering performances both indoors and outdoors. The television adaptation retained the stage design, musical cues, and text selections, and it has since become a popular resource for educational settings such as classrooms and libraries.

14. Paapa Essiedu

In a groundbreaking move, Paapa Essiedu made history as the first Black actor to portray the iconic character ‘Hamlet’ with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), under the guidance of director Simon Godwin. Following its successful run in Stratford-upon-Avon, the production embarked on a tour and was subsequently filmed for cinema viewing as part of RSC’s live screening program.

The play’s environment and characters were designed to reflect a modern African-inspired royal court, while preserving Shakespeare’s original text. This unique production was showcased in an extended tour, with performances not only across the UK but also abroad, exposing new audiences to both the innovative staging and Essiedu’s distinctive way of delivering the script.

13. Jonathan Pryce

In the Royal Court Theatre in London, Jonathan Pryce assumed the role under the guidance of director Richard Eyre. An intriguing aspect of this performance had the spirit of the Ghost seemingly speaking through Hamlet during specific scenes, an effect achieved through enhanced audio and strategic staging.

During its stint, the performance garnered recognition from London theatre accolades. Notably, its run at the Royal Court was marked by a strong emphasis on clear delivery and a rehearsal phase that underscored the play’s political implications in an intimate theater setting.

12. Ethan Hawke

In a contemporary adaptation directed by Michael Almereyda, Ethan Hawke played the role of Hamlet, but instead of being set in ancient Denmark, this version of the story unfolded amidst bustling modern Manhattan. The Denmark Corporation took over as the royal court, and various scenes were moved to office spaces, high-rise apartments, and city streets, all while maintaining Shakespeare’s original dialogue.

In this modern adaptation of Hamlet, Julia Stiles portrayed Ophelia, Bill Murray took on the role of Polonius, Liev Schreiber was Laertes, Kyle MacLachlan played Claudius, and Sam Shepard embodied the Ghost. The innovative production employed video diaries, news tickers, and handheld cameras, with the iconic “to be or not to be” soliloquy being performed in an aisle of a video store.

11. Mel Gibson

In a production by Franco Zeffirelli, Mel Gibson starred as Hamlet. Filming took place both on location in Italy and at the Cinecittà studio. To highlight family tension and political scheming, some scenes were reduced, yet the essential dialogues remained unchanged.

In this adaptation, Glenn Close portrayed Gertrude, Alan Bates took on Claudius, Helena Bonham Carter brought Ophelia to life, Ian Holm played Polonius, while Paul Scofield made an appearance as the Ghost. This film, produced by a prominent studio, has become one of the most globally accessible interpretations of the play, reaching audiences worldwide.

10. Jude Law

In a production directed by Michael Grandage, Jude Law portrayed Hamlet at Donmar Warehouse, initially staged in London’s West End at Wyndham’s Theatre. Later, this production was moved to Broadway, specifically to the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City, for a brief period.

The performance utilized a substantial group of actors, particularly emphasizing the court settings and sword-fighting episodes. The overseas transport preserved the initial creative crew and replicated the identical script edits, ensuring that viewers in two prominent theater hubs could experience the production exactly as intended.

9. Andrew Scott

And so, Andrew Scott took charge of Robert Icke’s play that debuted at the Almeida Theatre before moving to the Harold Pinter Theatre within London. This production ultimately found its way to cinemas, thereby extending its reach not just throughout the UK but also across international shores.

In this production, Juliet Stevenson took on the role of Gertrude, Angus Wright portrayed Claudius, and Jessica Brown Findlay starred as Ophelia. The design innovatively blended surveillance screens and contemporary sounds into the setting, portraying court scenes as if they were modern news conferences, yet preserving Shakespeare’s original dialogue.

8. Benedict Cumberbatch

In simple terms, Benedict Cumberbatch performed as Hamlet in a production that was staged at the Barbican. This production was directed by Lyndsey Turner with set design by Es Devlin. The live performance was captured on film and shown in cinemas globally, amassing one of the biggest international audiences for a stage version of Hamlet.

In this staging, the team employed a substantial revolving stage to seamlessly transition between the public areas and private chambers of Elsinore. Actress Sian Brooke was cast as Ophelia, while the show incorporated extensive live music and choreography to bridge scenes that typically have intermissions.

7. David Tennant

David Tennant’s rendition of Hamlet under the supervision of the Royal Shakespeare Company was masterfully guided by Gregory Doran. Notable performances in this production included Patrick Stewart as Claudius, who later took on the role of the Ghost for the screen adaptation. The stage performance was subsequently recorded and made available for viewing through various media platforms, including DVDs and streaming services.

In the graveyard sequence, they employed the generously donated cranium of pianist André Tchaikowsky to depict Yorick’s skull. The production featured on-location filming in settings fitting for the period and maintained the climactic sword fight finale using its original dance routine.

6. Derek Jacobi

In simpler terms, Derek Jacobi portrayed Hamlet in the BBC’s Shakespeare television series, reaching a large viewership. Meanwhile, Patrick Stewart took on the role of Claudius, and the production featured sets that mimicked indoor rooms and fortress walls, created in a studio setting.

Previously, Jacobi performed the role on stage. Later, he reprised the character of Claudius in Kenneth Branagh’s movie adaptation. Throughout these stages and screen performances spanning multiple decades, his work showcases evolutions in acting style and script selections.

5. Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes portrayed Hamlet in a stage performance, which was initially staged at the Almeida Theatre under the direction of Jonathan Kent. This production later moved to the West End and then to Broadway. For his exceptional work as Hamlet on Broadway, he received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

The production used a minimalist layout, skillfully utilizing light and darkness to highlight monologues. The move to Broadway retained the original creative team, maintaining consistent set and costume designs for U.S. viewers.

4. Richard Burton

In simpler terms, Richard Burton’s rendition of Hamlet on Broadway was orchestrated by John Gielgud. This theatrical production was filmed using the Electronovision process and exhibited in cinemas for a brief period, marking an early instance of a stage play being shown in movie theaters.

The movie adaptation maintained the style seen on Broadway, featuring rehearsal attire as costumes and an intimate stage layout with actors performing very close to the audience. Tim Burton’s production featured numerous sold-out shows, maintaining the play’s popularity throughout a significant New York theater season.

3. John Gielgud

John Gielgud frequently portrayed ‘Hamlet’ on stages in London, with significant runs occurring at the Old Vic. Later in his career, he guided other actors playing Hamlet and helmed the Broadway performance featuring Richard Burton as the lead.

Audio recordings capture Gielgud’s delivery of crucial monologues, serving as a sonic archive of mid-20th century poetry recitation. Throughout his association with the play, he engaged in acting, directing, and tutoring roles, all of which significantly influenced subsequent portrayals of the character on prominent stages.

2. Kenneth Branagh

In a striking adaptation, Kenneth Branagh both directed and played the lead role in a grand-scale film version of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. Shot in high-definition 70mm format, this cinematic masterpiece unfolded over an expansive runtime, featuring the complete script. The narrative was transposed to a lavish European royal court of the late 19th century, with grand palace interiors serving as the backdrop for state affairs.

The cast featured Julie Christie playing Gertrude, Derek Jacobi portraying Claudius, Kate Winslet as Ophelia, Brian Blessed bringing the Ghost to life, Billy Crystal taking on the role of the Gravedigger, Charlton Heston in the Player King part, Jack Lemmon as Marcellus, and Robin Williams in the role of Osric. The movie earned numerous Academy Award nominations and was presented worldwide in a grand, roadshow format.

1. Laurence Olivier

As a cinephile, I can’t help but share my admiration for Laurence Olivier’s masterful directing and stellar performance in the timeless black-and-white adaptation of ‘Hamlet’. This unforgettable film earned accolades, claiming the coveted titles of Best Picture and Best Actor at the Academy Awards. The screenplay was meticulously crafted, simplifying the text while excising the Fortinbras material, allowing the heartwrenching central family tale to take center stage.

Filming occurred within studio settings adorned with fog, archways, and staircases, which transformed Elsinore into a brooding, introspective castle. The movie’s acclaim resulted in a broad global release and set a standard for film versions of the play that persisted for quite some time.

Tell us which performance of the prince stands out for you and why in the comments.

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2025-08-19 01:46