As popular video games are rapidly getting adapted to the big screen, the popularity of the genre is no longer limited to gamers. With video games getting more popular with a higher budget and top-notch production value, game developers are now approaching Hollywood stars to star in video games. Here are 9 famous Hollywood actors who have starred in video games:
1. Keanu Reeves
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The inspiring return of Keanu Reeves as one of the most sought-after actors in the industry has put the star back at the top. Dubbed as ‘Keanussaince‘, the popularity of Keanu Reeves soared due to the massively popular John Wick series after which the actor has co-written a comic book named BRZRKR and starred in Toy Story 4. The actor will reprise his role as Neo in the upcoming The Matrix Resurrections. His widespread popularity landed him the role of Johnny Silverhand, a former war veteran turned rock star in Cyberpunk 2077.
2. Norman Reedus
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Actor Norman Reedus rose to prominence for his portrayal of Daryl Dixon in AMC’s The Walking Dead. The actor has now become the zombie-apocalypse show’s main protagonist after the departure of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. The actor’s popularity led to starring in Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding (2019) as Sam Porter Bridges alongside Léa Seydoux and Mads Mikkelsen.
3. Kit Harington
After rising to stardom for his portrayal of Jon Snow in HBO’s epic fantasy Game of Thrones, Kit Harington has now become a popular name in the industry. The actor has also starred as Rear Admiral Salen Kotch, the major antagonist of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Harington will also appear in the upcoming MCU movie Eternals.
4. Léa Seydoux
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The Bond girl is one of the most popular figures in Hollywood for starring in popular movies such as Inglourious Basterds, Midnight in Paris, Blue Is the Warmest Colour, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Spectre, and No Time to Die. Léa Seydoux appeared alongside Norman Reedus in Death Stranding as Fragile.
5. Rami Malek
The Mr. Robot star has become of the promising stars in the biz after his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also starred in The Pacific, Oldboy, and as the major antagonist in Daniel Craig’s last Bond movie No Time to Die. Back in 2015, the actor starred as Joshua Washington in the interactive horror drama video game Until Dawn.
6. Willem Defoe
One of the best actors of his generation, Willem Defoe is best known for his portrayal of Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. The actor has starred in many critically acclaimed movies such as The Lighthouse, The Florida Project, The Fault in Our Stars, Mississippi Burning, The Last Temptation of Christ, and other such movies. In 2015, the actor starred alongside Elliot Page in Beyond: Two Souls, an interactive drama and action-adventure game.
7. Giancarlo Esposito
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If there’s any actor who is currently leading the pop-culture race, then it surely is Giancarlo Esposito. After his breakout role as Gus Fring in the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad, the actor has starred in Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys and as primary antagonist Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian for which he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. The actor has further starred as Anton Castillo, the main antagonist of Far Cry 6.
8. Kevin Spacey
The legendary actor’s fall from grace is a cautionary tale of never meeting your heroes. Kevin Spacey is undoubtedly one of the finest actors in the Hollywood having starred in critically acclaimed movies such as The Usual Suspects, Se7en, American Beauty, L.A. Confidential, and the massively popular Netflix political drama House of Cards. The actor has also starred as the antagonist Jonathan Irons in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
9. Ashley Johnson
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Actor Ashley Johnson is a popular voice actor for playing iconic roles such as Gwen Tennyson (Ben 10), Gretchen on Recess, Terra on Teen Titans. Johnson starred as Patterson in the crime drama series Blindspot. The actor has twice won the BAFTA Games Award for Performer for her groundbreaking role as Ellie in The Last of Us and its sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
