Actors Who Are the Best On-Screen Criers

Expressing genuine sorrow on camera is a skill that separates great actors from legendary ones. Male performers often face the challenge of portraying vulnerability while maintaining the integrity of their characters. The following actors have demonstrated a unique ability to move audiences through their realistic and often heartbreaking emotional displays. Their work shows that a well-timed tear can be the most powerful tool in a performer’s arsenal.

Adam Driver

Adam Driver is recognized for his intense emotional range and physical presence on screen. In the drama ‘Marriage Story’ he displays a heartbreaking breakdown that highlights his ability to access deep sorrow. His weeping is often characterized by a realistic struggle to maintain composure before finally letting go. This authenticity helps the audience connect with his characters on a visceral level.

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield has a reputation for delivering some of the most soulful performances in modern cinema. He often uses his eyes to convey a sense of impending grief long before the tears actually fall. In films like ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ his emotional outbursts feel spontaneous and deeply personal. He is widely considered one of the most expressive actors of his generation.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt has proven over his long career that he is much more than just a leading man with good looks. He has delivered several memorable crying scenes that emphasize his character’s internal conflict and pain. In the thriller ‘Seven’ his reaction to a tragic discovery is one of the most iconic moments of cinematic grief. His ability to show vulnerability adds a layer of humanity to even his most rugged roles.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser made a powerful comeback by showcasing his incredible talent for portraying deep-seated sadness. In the film ‘The Whale’ he portrays a man struggling with immense regret and physical isolation. The tears he sheds in this role are heavy with the weight of years of emotional burden. His performance reminded audiences and critics alike of his profound capability for empathy.

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston became a household name through his transformative work on the television series ‘Breaking Bad’. He mastered the art of the desperate sob as his character faced the consequences of a double life. His crying scenes often involve a mix of anger and hopelessness that feels incredibly grounded. He has a unique way of making the audience feel the exact moment his character reaches a breaking point.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy is known for his piercing gaze and his ability to communicate complex emotions with very little dialogue. In ‘Oppenheimer’ he uses subtle facial movements to show a man haunted by the weight of his own creations. When he finally allows himself to show grief it feels like a dam has finally broken. His restrained style makes his moments of outward crying even more impactful.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis is legendary for his immersive approach to acting and his total dedication to every role. In ‘There Will Be Blood’ he displays a range of emotions that include moments of profound and terrifying isolation. His ability to weep in character feels entirely consistent with the specific psyche of the individual he is playing. Every emotional beat he delivers is crafted with meticulous care and historical accuracy.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is a master of the single tear which often conveys more than an entire monologue could. In the film ‘Glory’ he delivers a silent and powerful emotional performance while his character is being punished. This controlled display of pain has become one of the most famous examples of crying in movie history. He possesses a rare authority that makes his moments of weakness feel even more significant.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne often brings a delicate and sensitive quality to his most famous roles. In ‘The Theory of Everything’ he portrays the physical and emotional toll of a debilitating illness with great grace. His crying scenes are often quiet and internal reflecting the limitations and frustrations of his character. This subtlety allows the audience to lean in and experience the sadness alongside him.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is a versatile performer who can pivot from extreme villainy to deep tragedy in an instant. In ‘Leon the Professional’ and other early roles he showcased a raw and jagged emotional style. He is capable of portraying a messy and unrefined form of grief that feels dangerously real. His commitment to the truth of a moment ensures that his crying never feels performative or forced.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman is an actor who pours his entire heart into every musical and dramatic performance. In the film version of ‘Les Miserables’ he sings through his tears to show the ultimate redemption of his character. This requires a high level of technical skill and emotional stamina that few actors possess. He is not afraid to look unattractive or exhausted while expressing extreme sorrow.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal has built a career out of playing complex and often troubled individuals. In the thriller ‘Prisoners’ he portrays a detective whose mounting frustration eventually leads to a poignant emotional release. His crying often feels like the result of high-pressure situations that have finally become too much to bear. This makes his performances feel modern and incredibly relatable to viewers.

James McAvoy

James McAvoy is celebrated for his ability to play characters who are emotionally exposed and vulnerable. In ‘Atonement’ he captures the longing and heartbreak of a man separated from his true love by unfortunate circumstances. His facial expressions during these scenes convey a sense of profound injustice and loss. He has a natural gift for making his eyes look glassy and filled with genuine hurt.

Jeremy Strong

Jeremy Strong is widely praised for his role as Kendall Roy in the series ‘Succession’. He portrays a specific kind of corporate and familial grief that is both pathetic and deeply moving. His crying scenes often highlight his character’s search for approval and his inherent loneliness. He uses his entire body to show the physical toll that chronic sadness takes on a person.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is an actor who is known for his eccentric and deeply felt performances. In ‘Joker’ he displays a chilling laugh that often transitions directly into painful sobbing. This blur between different emotional states creates a haunting and memorable viewing experience. He is a performer who seems to inhabit the very soul of the people he portrays.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has a long history of playing sensitive outcasts who struggle to fit into the world around them. In ‘Edward Scissorhands’ he uses his expressive face to show the heartbreak of a being who cannot touch what he loves. His tears in these fantasy settings bring a sense of grounded reality to the stories. He excels at showing the innocence and pain of characters who are often misunderstood.

Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan made a triumphant return to the screen with a performance that was filled with heart and tears. In ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ he portrays multiple versions of a man who just wants to be kind. His emotional scenes are characterized by a sweet and earnest vulnerability that resonated with millions of people. He proved that an actor can return after years away and still possess a deep well of emotion.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio has been delivering powerhouse emotional performances since he was a teenager. In ‘The Basketball Diaries’ and later in ‘The Revenant’ he shows a level of physical and emotional suffering that is rare. He often puts himself through extreme conditions to ensure that his tears and his pain look as real as possible. His dedication has made him one of the most respected actors in the world.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali has a calm and steady screen presence that makes his emotional outbursts very effective. In ‘Moonlight’ he plays a mentor figure who provides a safe space for vulnerability in others while harboring his own depths. His ability to show a character holding back tears until they can no longer be contained is masterful. He brings a dignity to sadness that is truly captivating to watch.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon is often cast as the everyman who finds himself in extraordinary and difficult situations. In ‘Good Will Hunting’ he shares a pivotal scene with Robin Williams that involves a massive emotional breakthrough. The way he breaks down in that moment feels like a real release of years of pent-up trauma. He has a way of making the audience want to reach out and comfort his characters.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey delivered one of the most famous crying scenes of the last decade in the film ‘Interstellar’. Watching him react to video messages from his children while he is light-years away is a masterclass in acting. He captures the specific agony of time lost and the love of a father in a very raw way. This performance helped redefine his career as a serious dramatic force.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is known for his athletic roles but he is also a highly skilled dramatic actor. In ‘Fruitvale Station’ he portrays the final day of a young man’s life with incredible sensitivity and realism. His ability to show fear and sadness through his eyes makes his performances feel urgent and important. He consistently brings a deep level of empathy to every character he inhabits.

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal rose to fame by portraying a modern sense of masculine vulnerability. In ‘Aftersun’ and the series ‘Normal People’ he shows men who struggle to articulate their feelings but feel them very deeply. His crying is often quiet and occurs when his characters are alone reflecting a private kind of struggle. This understated approach has made him a favorite among critics and fans of indie cinema.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an actor who could find the humanity and the tragedy in any character he played. In ‘Magnolia’ he delivers an emotional performance that is both grounded and operatic in its scope. He had a way of showing the messy and uncoordinated nature of real grief that was incredibly honest. His presence on screen is deeply missed by the entire entertainment industry.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek has a unique facial structure and large eyes that are perfect for conveying intense emotion. In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ he captures the loneliness and the health struggles of a global icon with great care. His crying scenes often feel like a window into the private life of a man who was always in the spotlight. He is an actor who can say a lot without ever having to speak.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is a legend of the craft who has shown every possible facet of the human experience. In ‘The Godfather Part II’ and ‘Raging Bull’ he shows how even the toughest men can be brought to their knees by grief. His crying is often mixed with a sense of regret or lost opportunity that is very moving. He remains a gold standard for what it means to be a versatile actor.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling is often associated with a cool and detached acting style but he is capable of great emotional depth. In ‘The Notebook’ his character’s devotion is highlighted by moments of pure and unadulterated heartbreak. He has a way of letting a single tear roll down his cheek that feels perfectly timed for maximum dramatic effect. This balance of restraint and emotion makes him a very compelling leading man.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn is an actor who is not afraid to lean into the most extreme and painful parts of a character’s life. In ‘Mystic River’ his reaction to a family tragedy is a raw and terrifying display of pure agony. He uses his voice and his entire body to wail in a way that feels uncomfortably real. His commitment to the truth of the moment is what makes his crying scenes so memorable.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown has become famous for his incredible ability to cry on command for the show ‘This Is Us’. He can move from a smile to a full emotional breakdown in a matter of seconds. His tears always feel connected to the deep history and the relationships of his character. He is widely considered to be one of the best technical and emotional actors working in television today.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is often called the most likable man in Hollywood but he is also a master of dramatic tragedy. In ‘Captain Phillips’ he delivers a final scene that is a stunning portrayal of shock and post-traumatic grief. The way his voice cracks and his eyes well up feels like a genuine physiological reaction to trauma. He has the ability to make millions of people cry right along with him.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe has a highly expressive face that can convey a wide range of intense feelings. In the war film ‘Platoon’ his character’s final moments are some of the most famous in movie history. He brings a sense of spiritual and physical pain to his roles that is very unique. His ability to show suffering makes him a go-to actor for directors looking for deep emotional resonance.

Will Smith

Will Smith has shown that he can move far beyond his comedic roots to deliver heavy dramatic performances. In ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ he portrays the struggle of a father trying to provide a better life for his son. His crying in a public restroom while holding a door shut is a definitive moment of cinematic desperation. He has a gift for making his personal struggles feel universal to the audience.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron recently surprised critics with his deep and moving performance in the film ‘The Iron Claw’. He portrays a brother dealing with a series of immense family tragedies with a quiet and stoic grief. When he finally allows himself to break down it is a powerful moment that rewards the viewer’s patience. He has successfully transitioned from a teen idol to a serious and capable dramatic actor.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino is known for his high-energy performances but he also excels at quiet moments of profound loss. In ‘The Godfather Part III’ his silent scream on the steps of the opera house is a legendary display of grief. He can show a man who has lost everything through his posture and the look in his eyes. His long career is filled with examples of how to use emotion to tell a story.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale is a chameleon who changes his entire appearance and personality for every role he takes. In ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ he shows the emotional exhaustion and the internal pain of a hero at his lowest point. He treats crying as just another part of the character’s physical reality that must be mastered. His dedication ensures that every tear he sheds serves a specific purpose in the narrative.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton often plays intelligent characters who find themselves in emotionally overwhelming situations. In ‘American History X’ he portrays a man coming to terms with the consequences of his own violent actions. His crying scenes are often filled with a sense of shame and a desire for atonement. He is an actor who brings a great deal of thought and precision to his emotional work.

Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke has a naturalistic acting style that makes his emotional scenes feel like real life. In ‘First Reformed’ he portrays a man of faith who is spiraling into a deep and dark despair. His tears in this film are quiet and reflect a soul that is deeply troubled by the state of the world. He has a way of making the audience feel the philosophical and personal weight of his sadness.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto is known for his method acting and his willingness to go to extremes for a role. In ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ he portrays a woman living with a terminal illness with great sensitivity and heart. The emotional moments in this film feel earned and are delivered with a raw and fragile beauty. He is a performer who fully commits to the physical and emotional suffering of his characters.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando changed acting forever with his raw and realistic approach to human emotion. In ‘On the Waterfront’ he delivers a performance that is filled with layers of hurt and suppressed feeling. He showed that a leading man could be sensitive and vulnerable without losing his strength. His influence can be seen in almost every actor who has followed in his footsteps.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix was a prodigious talent who could tap into a deep well of emotion at a very young age. In ‘My Own Private Idaho’ he delivers a campfire monologue that is one of the most honest depictions of longing and rejection. His tears felt like they were coming from a place of genuine teenage angst and loneliness. His early death remains one of the great tragedies of the film industry.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet has become a major star by embracing a sensitive and modern form of masculinity. In ‘Call Me by Your Name’ the final shot of him crying in front of a fireplace is a masterclass in sustained emotion. He allows the audience to watch every stage of his grief as it passes across his face. This scene helped establish him as one of the most talented young actors of his era.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is often cast in roles that require a high level of physical toughness and aggression. However he frequently includes moments of unexpected vulnerability that catch the audience off guard. In ‘Warrior’ his character’s relationship with his brother culminates in a very moving emotional confrontation. He proves that the strongest characters are often the ones who feel the most pain.

Vincent D’Onofrio

Vincent D’Onofrio is a versatile actor who can play everything from a gentle giant to a terrifying villain. In ‘Full Metal Jacket’ his portrayal of a soldier pushed to the edge is both tragic and horrifying. His crying in that film conveys a total loss of self and a descent into madness. He has a way of making his emotional states feel physically overwhelming for the viewer.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson has a unique ability to play characters who use humor to hide a deep and painful history. In ‘The Messenger’ he plays a soldier whose job is to inform families of their loved ones’ deaths. The moments where his professional facade cracks are incredibly moving and realistic. He brings a weathered and honest quality to his crying that feels very earned.

Dev Patel

Dev Patel has grown from a young star into a formidable dramatic actor with a wide emotional range. In ‘Lion’ he portrays a man searching for his childhood home with a sense of desperate longing. His tears in this film reflect a deep connection to his roots and the pain of being lost. He has a very expressive face that makes the audience feel every step of his journey.

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac is an actor who can convey a sense of world-weary sadness with just a glance. In the series ‘Scenes from a Marriage’ he navigates the complex and painful end of a long-term relationship. His crying scenes are filled with the specific kind of hurt that only comes from knowing someone too well. He is a master of portraying the messy and complicated nature of adult intimacy.

Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen has a stoic and professional exterior that makes his moments of weeping even more powerful. In the Danish film ‘The Hunt’ he portrays a man wrongly accused of a crime with a devastating sense of isolation. When he finally breaks down it feels like the weight of the entire world has been placed on his shoulders. He is an actor who understands the power of silence and restraint.

Steve Carell

Steve Carell proved that he is a gifted dramatic actor with his work in ‘Beautiful Boy’ and ‘Foxcatcher’. He portrays the agony of a father watching his son struggle with addiction with a heartbreaking realism. His tears feel like they come from a place of genuine helplessness and love. He has a way of using his comedic timing to make his dramatic moments feel even more impactful.

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons has a quiet and understated acting style that is incredibly effective in dramatic roles. He often plays characters who are observant and internalize their feelings until they overflow. In his various roles he has shown an ability to weep in a way that feels unpolished and very human. He is quickly becoming one of the most respected character actors of his generation.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen is an actor who brings a sense of nobility and endurance to his most tragic roles. In ‘The Road’ he portrays a father trying to protect his son in a post-apocalyptic world with great tenderness. His tears in this film are a reflection of his character’s total exhaustion and his undying hope. He is a performer who can make the most dire situations feel deeply personal and moving.

Tell us which male actor you think delivers the most emotional performance in the comments.