No. 1 Jake LaMotta (Raging Bull, 1980)
A performance that displays the broad range of his skills as an actor, De Niro’s Jake LaMotta is both a brute and a child; equal parts menacing and charming. He effectively conveys the man’s power in the ring and paranoia outside of it. De Niro famously gained 60 lbs to play LaMotta in his later years. The performance led to his second Oscar win.
