The latest issue of Newsmax contains a list of the 25 big screen icons, the legends "who made America." It’s an odd list, one that (rightly) celebrates the values of the greatest generation—Jimmy Stewart and Humphrey Bogart are championed for their wartime service; Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston get shoutouts for their political work; Sidney Poitier's groundbreaking win at the Oscars is noted—for the first 20 entries or so before closing with a handful of more recent stars (Streep, De Niro, Hanks, Oprah, and Costner) who are still working.
There are always quibbles to be made about such an endeavor; the only real head-scratcher is the inclusion of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is many things, but a cinematic icon isn’t one of them. I was also a bit shocked at the failure to include Arnold Schwarzenegger (the consummate American success story who was arguably the biggest movie star for two straight decades and served as governor of our biggest state) and Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry was the American icon of the 1970s).
However, the thing I was most struck by was the, frankly, aged nature of the list. You’re telling me there’s no one below the age of 58 (Tom Hanks, at that age, is the baby on the list) who represents "self-reliance, rugged independence, an extraordinary work ethic, and a faith that those who keep trying in the face of overwhelming odds will eventually prevail"? I find that hard to believe.
So, with no further ado, allow me to suggest Five Faces Under Fifty to add to Newsmax’s list.
1. Robert Downey Jr. (49)
Yes, RDJ has had his issues. But that’s part of his charm! He’s the comeback kid, a former addict who prevailed in the face of overwhelming adversity. Robert Downey Jr. anchors two franchises (Iron Man/Avengers and the Sherlock Holmes film series), has starred in 15 films over the last six or so years, and is the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. I’m putting him at the top of this list for portraying the most American character to appear on film in the last decade: Tony Stark, the "genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist" who has "successfully privatized world peace."
2. Will Smith (45)
The Fresh Prince graduated from screen small to large with a grace that had never been seen before and will likely never be see again. From the cocksure Captain Steve Hiller (Independence Day) to greatest boxer ever born (Ali) to a struggling dad trying to live the American Dream (The Pursuit of Happyness), Smith has portrayed a startlingly wide swathe of the American experience on the big screen.
3. Angelina Jolie (39)
Brains, beauty, and business savvy: Angelina Jolie is walking, talking proof that women can have it all. Her off-screen exploits are almost as impressive as her onscreen resume. From my review of Maleficent:
All of this work came on top of her tireless international advocacy (she’s had boots on the ground in all manner of desperately impoverished areas and received an honorary Academy Award this year for her humanitarian work), her authoring of op-eds pleading with Americans to resist the urge to cut and run in Iraq, her adoption of multiple children and birthing of twins, her marriage to some guy in France, and, well, this.
Given that she’s about to earn some serious Oscar buzz for directing Unbroken, the true-life tale of great (greatest?) American hero Louis Zamperini, no list of this sort is complete without Jolie.
4. Dwayne Johnson (42)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is so American he knew about Osama bin Laden being dead before you did.
Just got word that will shock the world - Land of the free...home of the brave DAMN PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 2, 2011
I realize this choice might be a bit controversial, but Johnson exudes America: hard work and self-belief and a little bit of luck are all it takes to vault you into the A-List. He’s GI Joe. He’s Hercules, the most American of the Greek demigods. He’s that badass from The Rundown (a criminally underrated action picture, by the way).
5. Jennifer Lawrence (23)
The Oscar-winning actress is called America’s sweetheart for a reason. Jennifer Lawrence is best known for her turn in The Hunger Games as Katniss Everdeen, small town girl fighting against the oppression of an evil central government. A parable for the danger of an out-of-control government, Lawrence makes real the concept of tyranny for a generation that knows nothing of the USSR. A three-time Oscar nominee, Lawrence has decades of great roles ahead of her.
Update: Angelina Jolie is 39, not 49. Duh. An error worth of VOX DOT COM!